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It was the public's last chance to sound off on planned fare hikes and service cuts, and the packed house at Lehman College made so much sound, they often drowned out the MTA officials running the hearing Wednesday night.

Much of the outrage focused on plans to scale back bus service, including a proposal to eliminate the BX4, BX14, BX20, BX34, BXM7B and the Barretto Park Pool shuttle in the Bronx.

"The 34 bus in Woodlawn. We have thosuands of people who need that bus to get to work, to get to the hospitals and there is no clear alternative," said City Councilman Oliver Koppell.

"The entire eastern Bronx will be left stranded," said City Councilman James Vacca.

As has been the case at every public hearing, there were impassioned pleas from elderly and disabled riders, whose fares on the Access-A-Ride service will more than double under the MTA's proposal.

"We need to be able to go to work, to go to doctors and wherever we need to go," said one Bronx resident.

"Most of us is on disability. The government isn't gonna give us more money just to try to get around town, to go to the doctor, please think about it, put yourself in our shoes," said another Bronx resident.

While taking a lot of heat from riders, MTA officials say the public backlash may actually be helpful if it can convince Albany lawmakers to come to the rescue.

"Here the audience is not just the MTA...Who really are determining the future of the MTA financially," said MTA Executive Director & CEO Elliot "Lee" Sander.

The MTA hopes Albany will increase funding to the agency, offsetting the need for steep fare increases and service cuts. But lawmakers must act before March 25, when the MTA board takes a final vote on the fare hikes.