Despite protests from transit users, the board of directors of Vancouver's transportation authority voted 11-1 Wednesday afternoon in favour of a fare hike, effective next January.

Regular fares will go up 25 cents per trip, increasing TransLink's revenues by six per cent, the bulk of which will go toward purchasing 94 new buses and community shuttles.

Board director and Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan said he didn't agree with the fare hike, but realized that it's necessary to improve transit in the region.

"I personally believe we need to keep the fares low but I also believe we need to add buses and I also believe that we need to improve the transit access," he said.

The Bus Riders Union disagrees with the board's decision, saying the increase will only make transit less accessible to riders.

Members of the union who blocked off a major bridge in downtown Vancouver on June 19 rallied outside a transportation authority meeting in the downtown core earlier Wednesday.

"Another fare increase would be devastating for bus riders who are already struggling with rising living costs, low wages and starvation-level welfare rates," a union spokesman said in a press release.

The increases, ranging from 11 to 15 per cent, would bring adult fares for one, two and three zones to $2.50, $3.75 and $5, respectively. Monthly passes will also increase to $73, $99 and $136 for the three zones.

The increases would still leave Vancouver transit riders paying less than commuters in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.