LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Dec. 13 will implement the first phase of the NextGen Bus Plan, which will increase bus stop frequency and modify routes to make them more accessible, the transit agency announced today.
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 when possible, Metro officials said, noting that riders must wear a face covering at all times while using Metro amenities and facilities.
“Our mission is to create a world-class transportation system for Los Angeles -- a web of bus and rail lines that gives Angelenos a sustainable, efficient and convenient way to move around our city and region," Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti said.
“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," he said.
Other bus routes are being modified with route changes to speed up trips and a few lines with low ridership are being discontinued, according to Metro.
Riders can visit www.mybus.metro.net to see how their route and stops have changed as well as on the Metro app.
The NextGen Bus Plan is slated to be fully implemented in December 2021.
“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," Metro CEO Phillip Washington said. “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."
Metro rail service will remain unchanged in this round of service changes.
The specifics of the NextGen Bus Plan are available at visitwww.metro.net/nextgen.
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