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The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has proposed a $4.1 billion budget for fiscal-year 2012 that would keep fares at current levels, but also lower the cost of a day pass by $1 to help attract more commuters.

The proposed budget is 6.3 percent more than the $3.8 billion FY2011 budget, with 60 percent dedicated to enhancing rail and bus systems, LACMTA officials said in a prepared statement.

The budget increase reflects a significant expansion of Measure R half-cent sales tax program-funded projects and programs — $1.2 billion in FY2012 compared with $889 million in FY2011, officials said.

The budget plan also would trim some unproductive bus lines, as the system gears up for the first phase of the Expo light-rail line that will run from downtown L.A. to Culver City past the University of Southern California. An opening date has not yet been announced, but “should be soon,” officials said.

LACMTA has scheduled a hearing May 18 to solicit public opinion on the budget proposal.