The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) will begin implementing the first phase of bus service changes as part of the NextGen Bus Plan Dec. 13.
The plan will improve bus frequencies and better serve riders.
Bus trips are being added to many Metro Bus lines to improve the frequency of service and provide more room for riders to practice social distancing whenever possible. L.A. Metro requires riders to wear a face covering at all times.
Other bus routes are being modified with route changes to speed up trips and a few lines with low ridership are being discontinued. Riders can use an online tool to check their bus line for any changes. Also, the Transit app for smartphones – L.A. Metro's official app – will show changes.
"Our mission is to create a world-class transportation system for Los Angeles -- a web of bus and rail lines that give Angelenos a sustainable, efficient and convenient way to move around our city and region," said Los Angeles Mayor and L.A. Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti. "Metro’s bus network is the backbone of our transit vision, and this first phase of the NextGen Bus Plan is the next step toward what we need to see on our roads: more dedicated bus lanes, higher ridership and faster, more reliable service."
When the NextGen Bus Plan is fully implemented in December 2021, there will be more frequent, all-day bus service on more routes, shorter wait times for buses and more reliable service. Even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NextGen network and its focus on improving the frequency of service will better serve bus riders.
"This is the first major overhaul of Metro’s bus system in more than 25 years and these changes will vastly improve bus service for current and future riders," said L.A. Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. "Metro’s bus ridership has fallen less during the pandemic than in many other metro areas — which demonstrates how much people completely depend on our bus system."
Beginning Sunday, December 13, 2020:
- On weekdays, the following lines will have additional trips: Lines 2, 4, 10, 16, 18, 20, 28, 30, 33, 40, 45, 53, 55, 60, 62, 66, 70, 78, 81, 90/91, 105, 108, 110, 111, 115, 125, 130, 150/240, 152, 161, 162/163, 164, 165, 166, 200, 206, 207, 209, 210, 212, 224, 232, 233, 234, 245, 251, 258, 260, 344, 460, 550, 603, 704, 720, 733, 734, 744, 754, 757 and 910 (the J Line, also known as the Silver Line).
- On Saturdays, the following lines will have additional trips: Lines 16, 18, 28, 40, 45, 51, 60, 66, 81, 105, 108, 111, 152, 162/163, 180/181, 200, 204, 207, 210, 212, 224, 251, 260, 487, 603, 720, 733 and 754. On Sundays the following lines have additional trips: Lines 18, 28, 45, 53, 60, 66, 81, 105, 115, 200, 207, 210, 251, 460, 487 and 754.
- Five lines will be improved to 15-minute frequencies during the daytime on weekdays: Lines 53 (Central Ave.), 55 (Compton Ave.), 70 (Garvey Ave.), 152 (Roscoe Blvd.) and 603 (Hoover Street). Three lines will be improved to 20-minute frequencies during the daytime or peak periods on weekdays: Lines 165 (Vanowen Street), 234 and 734 (Sepulveda Blvd.). And one line will be improved to 30-minute frequency during the daytime on weekdays: Line 90/91 (Sunland/Sylmar via Foothill Blvd.).
- L.A. Metro will be consolidating eight Metro Rapid and Local lines. This is being done to maximize service to all stops on major corridors. The following Metro Rapid lines will be replaced by more frequent service on their partner local lines: Rapid Line 705 (Vernon Ave./La Cienega Blvd.) will be replaced with Line 105; Rapid Line 710 (Crenshaw Blvd.) will be replaced with Line 210; Rapid Line 728 (Olympic Blvd.) will be replaced with Line 28; Rapid Line 740 (Hawthorne Blvd./Crenshaw Blvd.) will be replaced with Lines 40 and 210; Rapid Line 745 (Broadway) will be replaced with Line 45; Rapid Line 751 (Soto Street) will be replaced with Line 251; Rapid Line 760 (Long Beach Blvd.) will be replaced with Line 60 and Rapid Line 762 (Atlantic Blvd./Fair Oaks Ave.) will be replaced with Line 260.
Some bus stops on local bus lines will change to reduce travel time on the bus while maintaining easy access to bus stops. If a stop is being discontinued, riders will see a sign on it directing them to the nearest stop.
Other bus lines will have route modifications and changes in frequency. L.A. Metro is also discontinuing a few low ridership bus lines that will be replaced by trips on other municipal bus operators. L.A. Metro encourages riders to use the online tool to see what changes are coming to their bus lines.
Also, on Dec. 13, L.A. Metro is launching a new on-demand rideshare service called Metro Micro in two service areas – LAX/Inglewood and Watts/Willowbrook. The new service is for short trips and will use vans with limited seating.
Metro Rail service will remain unchanged in this round of service changes.
