The Norwalk Transit District will make service cuts while also raising bus fares to $1.75 in January.

Officials say the 25 cent hike will go into effect on Jan. 8 and on Jan. 29 some bus service changes and cuts will be made. This is in an effort to close a $3 million deficit.

Students at Norwalk Community College who rely on public transportation are upset about the changes and say it's ridiculous that the shuttle service they rely on will soon be reduced. "It hurts us, we need to go to school," said one Norwalk Community College student. 

Britt Liotta, chief operating officer at Norwalk Transit District, says the changes are necessary. Officials say cuts were only made on routes with few riders.

"Our more productive routes run about 35 passengers per hour and the routes we did any changes to run about five to 10 passengers an hour. The Norden shuttle, which will be completely eliminated, only averages three riders per hour," says Liotta. 

Riders will still be able to access all the stops on eliminated or reduced routes - but it will require a transfer. 

Liotta says he expects more cuts from the state next year, but hopes this preemptive step prevents from having to raise fares. 

Transit officials say there will be a supervisor at the transit hub explaining route changes and helping riders in January.