The service cuts that start today for Port Authority riders might not stop there.

The transit agency expects to come back early next month with plans for a 10 percent reduction in routes, said CEO Steve Bland. That would take effect in September, along with a planned fare hike in January.

And unless state lawmakers find a permanent way to close the Port Authority's annual budget gaps, cuts early next year would have "just a massive impact," Bland said. The agency expects to lose $44.6 million in 2007-08.

"People have to understand," Bland said. "We're not kidding. We're really in a tough position."

Gov. Ed Rendell and lawmakers have proposed solutions to the transit money crisis across the state -- including a new tax on oil company profits and increases to existing taxes on income, sales or realty transfers.

One proposal brewing in the Senate is geared to providing some new money to transit agencies without raising taxes. It would gradually increase each year the portion of state sales tax revenue going to finance transit. That would, however, mean there's less money available to spend on other state programs.

It's not clear how much money the plan would raise.

Another proposal would lease the Turnpike to a private operator. The state's profit would go into a fund to pay the annual costs of transit and highway improvements.