INDIANAPOLIS -- Hundreds of IndyGo bus riders showed up for public hearings on Thursday as the transit company considers widespread cuts.

IndyGo has plans to eliminate three bus lines, cut service on 10 others and reduce the frequency of buses on another 16 routes, 6News' Norman Cox reported.

"Unless somebody steps up with $3.2 million to help us, our alternatives are very limited," IndyGo President Michael Terry told the crowd, citing dwindling tax revenues.

But some argued that the city needs to step up and make the transit system a priority.

"Everyone here needs to tell Mayor (Greg) Ballard, to tell (Pacers owner) Herb Simon, 'Pay your own bills for the Pacers, and use that money to fix our bus system,'" one rider said to loud applause.

Frequent riders said poor service and shrinking routes have already kept them from their jobs, classes and errands.

"It took me an hour and a half to get from my house to Washington Street. I don't think that's right," said one rider.

"If the No. 4 would run all the time up to 75th Street, it would have taken me maybe 20 minutes," said another rider. "The service should not be cut. It should be increased."

There was also criticism of plans to build a light rail system from Hamilton County to downtown.

IndyGo riders said working-class residents who have no alternative to buses should be the top priority, but planners said they believe a regional system with a dedicated tax base may be the only way to save transit in the city at all.