The Scotts Bluff County Commissioners Monday evening postponed making a decision on a proposed doubling of Handi bus rates. After an hour long public hearing, the commissioners decided to review other revenue options first, including advertising on the buses and private subsidies from businesses like Wal-Mart and Regional West Medical Center who benefit the most from Handi-Bus customers.

Under the proposal from Carol Prince, the county's Director of Operations, the one way fees would increase to up to $4 for those in Lyman to $2 for service in Scottsbluff and Gering. Carroll Mohrbutter, who rides the bus a couple times a week, said the proposed hike was just too much.

Even with state and federal funding, Prince projected the county will lose $41,000 on the service in the next budget year if they don't double the rates. Commissioner Doug Leafgreen suggested moving to a fixed route rather than picking customers up at home. But others, including Prince had concerns about how the elderly and disabled would make it to the bus stops.