LA County Prepares For Bus Service Cuts

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Public transit officials say planned bus service cuts will target Los Angeles County low-ridership routes.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is eliminating 18 routes starting Dec. 12, including three Metro Local and five Metro Rapid bus lines. MTA officials say the Rapid lines will be back-filled with conventional Local buses.

Service will also be reduced during weekdays and weekends on the remainder of the routes.

The Los Angeles Times says the MTA, which approved the cuts Thursday over the objections of some bus riders, will save $30 million a year and help erase a $250 million budget deficit. They are the first major MTA reductions in years.

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