In his first moves in a tough budget, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz is proposing to raise bus fares 50 cents to $2 but preserve library hours and staff next year.

"Libraries and Metro Transit are both vital basic services for Madison residents, and are both priorities in my budget," Cieslewicz said in a statement Thursday.

The mayor will introduce the full budget on Tuesday and the City Council will vote on it Nov. 11.

Cieslewicz this summer asked city agencies to determine the cost to continue current operations and then identify 5 percent cuts from that sum.

Metro indicated a 25 cent fare hike was needed to maintain service. Cieslewicz said he is seeking a 50 cent hike to expand service, enhance security at transfer points, boost marketing, double programs that help low-income riders, and create a reserve.

Carl Durocher, the chairman of the Transit and Parking Commission, which oversees Metro, said response to the proposal on the commission was "anguish."

The library, meanwhile, said it would have to close the Monroe Street branch and cut hours at the central library and other branches to shave 5 percent from its budget.

The mayor, however, assured the library board Thursday night all libraries would remain open, there would be no cuts to hours, and the books and materials budget for the coming year would remain the same as in the 2008 budget. The only cuts to the library system will have to absorb are to miscellaneous purchases like office supplies and lighting equipment, totaling about $94,000.