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The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) will raise fares on July 1 to help balance the agency’s budget.

However, there will be no change in discounted fares for seniors, students, disabled persons and Medicare recipients, L.A. Metro officials said in a prepared statement.

The regular cash fare will increase from $1.25 to $1.50. The agency faced a $250 million operating deficit for fiscal-year 2011 due to a “sharp drop” in local sales tax revenue and fare box revenue, as well as state transportation funding, L.A. Metro officials said.

In addition to hiking fares, the agency plans to eliminate more than 500 jobs, and cut administrative overhead and other expenses.