Metro Service Councils are ringing in the new year with four January meetings. The San Fernando Valley Service Council will not meet in January as their regular meeting would have been on New Year’s Day. The other four Councils will hold their meetings on the usual days and times, as listed below.

January Metro Service Council meeting details are provided below. Please note that some of the presentations listed are tentative at the time of this posting. In addition to the monthly report from Metro Service Council Director Jon Hillmer, all Councils will receive updates on the February public hearing schedule, Fare Forums that are being targeted for March (originally scheduled for February, but moved back one month) meetings, and a presentation on Metro’s “Seniors On The Move” program, which is aimed educating older adults about using public transit. Other agenda items at Council meetings this month include:

San Fernando Valley – MEETING CANCELLED due to conflict with New Year’s Holiday (Jan 1). Next meeting will be Wednesday, February 5.

Westside/Central (5 p.m., Wednesday, 1/8) – Presentation on Santa Monica Blvd. / 3^rd Street Corridor Studies update; Presentation on Metro’s Accident Reduction program.

Gateway Cities (2 p.m., Thursday, 1/9 –Swearing in of new Gateway Cities Service Council member Aja Brown, Mayor of Compton; recognition of accomplishments at the Artesia Blue Line Station for Lt. Leo Bauer and Long Beach Transit Operations Supervisor Mike Wilson; update on Blue Line gate latching; update on (new) location for February Gateway Cities meeting and public hearing.

South Bay (9:30 a.m., Friday, 1/10) – Presentation on Metro’s Bike Program; update on upcoming Green Line gate latching.

San Gabriel Valley (5 p.m., Monday, 1/13) – Summary of November’s Line 485 workshop; Metro’s Customer Complaint process.

In February, four of the five Service Councils will be conducting public hearings to receive comments from the public on proposed service changes that, if approved, would go into effect in June 2014. Because none of the proposed major service changes are proposed in the SouthBay region, that Service Council will not hold a public hearing. Details on the proposed June ’14 service changes and February hearings are posted on Metro’s web page. The public will also be notified about public hearings and proposed changes through media releases, rider notices placed on buses and trains, and other means.

Also At all February March (moved back one month from Feb to March) Service Council meetings, there will be a Fare Forum (Please note that .  Attendees will be able to express their opinions on a potential transit fare adjustment and offer their suggested alternatives.  All comments will be recorded and provided to the Metro Board of Directors for their consideration.

For a detailed listing of all Council meeting dates, times and locations, click here. As always, the public is encouraged to attend and share their comments with the Service Councils on improving bus service throughout LA County. If you would like to provide input to a Council but cannot attend a meeting, you can submit your comments in writing through the Service Council web page or send them by email. If your comments are for a specific Council, please make sure to indicate which one you are addressing in your e-mail.