As the title of this story indicates, public hearings will be conducted this month in addition to the regular monthly Service Council meetings.

The San Fernando Valley and Westside/Central Service Councils will hold public hearings for proposed December service changes in their regions immediately following their regularly scheduled monthly meetings (days, times and locations are listed below). Since no major December service changes were proposed for the other regions, those Service Councils will not hold hearings. There will be one additional public hearing on the proposed service changes held in Metro’s Board room, at One Gateway Plaza in downtown LA, on Saturday, August 9 at 9 am. You can view information on the proposed changes, public hearings, and how to provide input on the proposals by visiting Metro’s webpage at http://www.metro.net/about/metro-service-changes/proposed-changes-metro-bus-service/

If you or someone you know is interested in serving on one of Metro’s Service Councils, Metro’s Service Council webpage has been updated to include a link showing current vacancies and explaining the process of applying for an open seat on the Councils. The information can be accessed on the main Service Council page, or on any of the individual Council pages, by clicking the link ton the right of the map titled ”Current Service Council Vacancies.”

All Service Councils are scheduled to receive a report on Metro’s Fare Restructuring Implementation, scheduled to go into effect September 15, and the monthly Director’s report, which provides statistics on ridership, performance and other measures of Metro service. For more information about each Service Council, click on the name of the Council to view their web page. Meeting topics for Service Council meetings this month, in addition to the Fare Restructuring Implementation presentation, include:

San Fernando Valley (6:30 pm, Wednesday, 8/6) – Report on Orange Line Pedestrian Tunnel; Report on Line 155 – Universal City/Studio City Station Construction Detour. Immediately following the conclusion of the meeting, the Council will adjourn to the public hearing on proposed December 2014 service changes.

South Bay (9:30 am, Friday, 8/8) – Presentation on Metro’s Annual On-Board Survey; Update on Metro Green Line Latching and Impacts on Ridership.

San Gabriel Valley (5 pm, Monday, 8/11) – Presentation on Metro’s Annual On-Board Survey; Update on Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension Phase 2 Draft EIR/EIS Public Outreach Plan.

Westside/Central (5 pm, Wednesday, 8/13) – Update Purple Line Extension Utility Relocation Process. Immediately following the conclusion of the meeting, the Council will adjourn to the public hearing on proposed December 2014 service changes.

Gateway Cities (2 pm, Thursday, 8/14) – Update on Metro Blue Line Refurbishment Work Schedule in Long Beach; Update on Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension Phase 2 Draft EIR/EIS Public Outreach Plan.

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 to servicecouncils@metro.net. If your comments are for a specific Council, please make sure to indicate which one you are addressing in your e-mail.