Los Angeles Metro bus and rail riders can expect longer wait times, as services have been temporarily reduced, as of Feb. 20, due to a labor shortage.
LA Metro Board of Directors voted on Jan. 27 to make a temporary service change to reduce the number of canceled trips brought on by the pandemic and provide more reliable services to its riders.
The total hours of buses available for service in a year will be decreased by 800,000 hours. The LA Metro officials believe this will significantly reduce operator burnout and fatigue amid the shortage.
On average, the bus lines subject to the change will run 5 to 10 minutes less frequently than they normally do. Rail lines will also be slowed by a couple of minutes, according to LA Metro.
The full service is expected to return to normal hours no later than June, according to LA Metro officials.
In response to the labor shortage, LA Metro is offering a $3,000 bonus for new operators with a competitive hourly rate starting at $19.12. Other benefits include health insurance, tuition reimbursements, paid training, retirement plan options, and flexible working hours.
