The Halifax Regional Municipality should get the bulk of a proposed 25-cent hike in the bridge toll to help pay for its transit system, a regional councillor says.

Halifax Harbour Bridges wants to charge $1 a crossing. (CBC)Brad Johns suggests that 15 cents go to Metro Transit, while the Halifax Harbour Bridges commission keeps the rest.

"The province really has to start stepping up to the plate when it comes to transit and all we're doing, or I'm doing, is trying to provide them with some avenues to create some income," Johns said.

A trip across the Angus L. Macdonald or A. Murray MacKay bridge now costs 75 cents. But the bridge commission is looking for a 25-cent hike to pay for upcoming projects and ongoing maintenance.

Johns wants the municipality to ask the province to allow both the toll increase and his revenue-sharing plan.

Council will debate the issue this week. Johns said he expects there will be support for his proposal, since the municipality is strapped for cash and is looking for any financial help it can get.

Halifax finance officials project a $30-million budget shortfall for 2010-11 due to rising costs and declining revenue. Their proposed solution includes cutting between $7 million and $10 million in services and programs, but sparing the transit service.

The bridge commission must still apply to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board for permission to increase the toll.

Every year, 33 million trips are recorded over both the Angus L. Macdonald and the A. Murray MacKay bridges. The commission expects to raise an extra $8 million by hiking the toll 25 cents.