Los Angeles County's Metro plans changes and additions to its bus service schedule beginning this month that will include the creation of two Metro Rapid Lines and two new Metro Rapid Express bus lines.

The agency will alter service, cancel some unproductive lines during the week and on Saturday and Sundays, as well as shorten some selected bus lines to improve efficiency. The two new Metro Rapid Lines bring the total to 18 rapid lines operating throughout the county.

Metro is expected to implement a total of 28 Metro Rapid Bus lines by mid-2008. The two new Metro Rapid Lines begin operations on June 24. New to Metro's service area will be the implementation of two Metro Rapid Express Lines that will have fewer stops than traditional Metro Rapid lines, providing faster service in the morning and afternoon peaks periods. The new Metro Rapid Express lines debut June 25.

The new Metro Rapid Express lines are a demonstration project to see if further reducing the number of stops can greatly reduce travel times along these two busy transit corridors. Travel times are expected to be reduced by up to 15 percent one-way over traditional Metro Rapid service. If successful, Metro plans to introduce additional Metro Rapid Express Lines later this year.

Metro also plans two new lines in the San Fernando Valley and a new line between California State University, Los Angeles and East Los Angeles.