WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Metro Council told Baton Rouge transit leaders they want to hear new ideas to fix the bus system.

CATS has two weeks to come up with alternatives to cutting services and raising fares.

The department's budget deficit is more than $1 million. A tax to raise money failed in October and, according to CATS, the only way to keep buses rolling is making significant changes.

But Wednesday, council members said they thought more options were out there.. and offered some themselves. Riders, organizations, businessmen and even the mayor offered some suggestions as well.

Council will revisit the issue again on January 26. If they stick to the original proposal, rate and route changes will take effect January 31.