HAMMOND | As he forewarned earlier this year, City Council President Dan Repay on Tuesday recommended slashing an entire department from next year's budget.

If Repay prevails, getting the axe will be the city's Transit Department.

"I think we simply need to get out of the transit business," Repay said Tuesday. "We no longer can afford to do this."

Repay said he recognized people "need to be able to travel to places they need to go," but he urged a regional approach be taken to fund transportation.

"Maybe that dialogue will begin in earnest," he said.

In a letter to Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. provided to The Times, Repay said the city's budget for 2009 must be reduced by about $1.3 million to meet the statutory cap limitations.

"I am writing this letter to recommend that the city eliminate the transit system in its entirety," he wrote.

The move will cut an estimated $1 million from the budget, Repay said.

Repay said the recommendation is not a reflection on the performance of its director, Keith Matasovsky.

"The Hammond Transit Department has been led by one of the most qualified, caring individuals that this city has working for it," he wrote McDermott. "Under his leadership ridership has increased steadily until just recently."

Transportation should be managed and developed through the Regional Development Authority and the Regional Bus Authority, not through individual cities, Repay said.

Repay's letter indicated there are more significant budget cuts to come in meeting the statutory guidelines set forth by the state.