As we roll into 2015, all five Metro Service Councils will be conducting their monthly meetings this month at their usual times and locations. Last month we told you that public hearings were planned in February for proposed June service changes. However, the major changes being considered have been withdrawn, and since there will be no major service changes proposed for June, there will not be a need to conduct any public hearings.

The San Gabriel Valley Service Council is still planning on conducting their regular meeting in February at the East L.A. Library, despite the fact there will be no public hearing following the meeting. One of the objectives of that meeting will be to receive public input on Lines 68 and 620, which serves the Library and may be restructured at a later date to improve service efficiency.

As is usually the case, the San Fernando Valley Service Council will lead off this month’s slate of meetings, convening tonight (Wednesday, January 7). In addition to the topics listed below, all Councils will receive 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 January include:

San Fernando Valley (6:30 pm, Wednesday, 1/7) – Update on New Valley Westside Express Service, update on Line 90/91 discussion; update on the Blue Ribbon Committee formation and information about the cancellation of the February 2015 public hearings.

Gateway Cities (2 pm, Thursday, 1/8) – Update on Metro Fare Audit and Blue Line security; consideration of changing monthly Service Council meeting time and/or location; update on the Blue Ribbon Committee formation and information about the cancellation of the February 2015 public hearings.

South Bay (9:30 am, Friday, 1/9) – Presentation on Accident Reduction programs; update on the Blue Ribbon Committee formation and information about the cancellation of the February 2015 public hearings.

San Gabriel Valley  (5 pm, Wednesday, 1/12) – Update on El Monte Busway Station construction; update on TAP system usage and improvements; update on the Blue Ribbon Committee formation and information about the cancellation of the February 2015 public hearings.

Westside/Central  (5 pm, Wednesday, 1/14) – (6:30 pm, Wednesday, 1/3) – Consideration of changing monthly Service Council meeting time and/or location; update on the Blue Ribbon Committee formation and information about the cancellation of the February 2015 public hearings.

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.