The TTC says it will lose a quarter of a million rides if proposed service cuts to 48 bus routes take effect.

The cuts are slated for what the TTC calls underused routes — those carrying fewer than 15 people per hour. The transit agency estimated the changes would save about $7 million, which would go into busier routes.

TTC spokesman Brad Ross said Wednesday the transit agency projects it will lose 250,000 rides because of the cuts.

He was clarifying comments made earlier Wednesday on CBC's Metro Morning by TTC general manager Gary Webster, who said that 250,000 people "will be affected" by the changes.

The TTC will make a final decision on the cuts at a meeting next Wednesday. The TTC has held two public meetings about the cuts this week and is holding two more:

• Wednesday, Scarborough Civic Centre: 7-9 p.m.
• Thursday, Elmbank Community Centre: 7-9 p.m.

Webster said the "vast majority" of citizens who attended the meetings were unhappy with the proposal, although he couldn't say if the TTC is now considering shelving any of the cuts.

"It's a decision we're going to have to make next Wednesday. Staff is going to prepare a report based on all of this," he said.

"That is a key issue — are there any exceptions, should there be any, and if you start to make them, why are you making them?"