The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will begin implementing the second phase of its NextGen Bus Plan and the expansion of its Metro Micro service on June 27.

The NextGen Bus Plan is part of the agency’s mission to improve bus frequencies and restore transit service to pre-pandemic levels by September. The most significant structure changes included in the Next Gen Bus plan, which is expected to be fully implemented by December 2021, will be seen in the San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley.

“Metro’s bus network is the backbone of our transit system, and the NextGen Plan is our next step toward higher ridership, faster and more reliable service, and lower emissions,” said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti. “This next phase of Metro services sends a clear message to Angelenos: We hear your feedback and are working tirelessly to make our system work better for you.”

The expansions to Metro Micro, in turn, will provide more convenient, on-demand shared rides within two new service zones in Los Angeles County.

Metro Micro, which was first launched in December in partnership with RideCo Inc., is operated by Metro employees within select service zones and has an introductory fare of $1 per ride (transfer not included) through the end of 2021.

Also part of NextGen and the agency’s Better Bus Initiative, is Metro's plan — in collaboration with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) — to implement a series of dedicated bus-only lanes along heavily traveled corridors. By the end of June, phase one of Metro’s Alvarado Street Bus Priority Lane Project will be implemented between 7th Street and the 101 Freeway. The project is designed to enhance mobility and safety as Metro moves toward a faster multi-modal transit network.

In addition, Metro will be improving its weekday rail service frequencies during morning and afternoon peak times on the A Line (Blue), E Line (Expo), C Line (Green), and L Line (Gold).