11.   If it holds, the fare hike would be the second this year.

12.   MTA officials justify the greater fare hike for city riders on the grounds that the city transit system faces much larger deficits than the suburban railroads.

13.   Still, a representative of the Bus Riders Union, which filed the suit, said he believes the fare hike punishes the transit dependent.

14.   The fare hike is a bad idea from every vantage.

15.   The fare hike will raise the standards of drivers, he said.

16.   The latest fare hike was initiated by Continental Airlines, the Houston-based carrier.

17.   Thursday, the mayor almost ritualistically said he would prefer no fare hike.

18.   Otherwise, the fare hikes are repealed, as happened in February.

19.   Other airlines were expected to join in the fare hike, but there was no confirmation Sunday.

20.   President Gustavo Noboa declared a state of emergency late Friday following a week of Indian protests against recent government-mandated bus fare hikes and fuel subsidy cuts.