Long Beach Transit’s service routes could be changing based on findings in a recent study, officials announced on Thursday.

The agency, among others in Southern California, has faced declining ridership over the last several years, and is exploring changes to attract more riders, transit officials said.

Though the changes are in draft form only – none will be implemented without public input, and approval by the Board of Directors – three alternatives are being explored. They include:

• Circulator Transit Network: This alternative focuses on a mix of citywide- and neighborhood-based services using smaller buses. Main corridors, such as Atlantic, Anaheim and PCH will continue to have high frequency services with regular buses, but the tradeoff is less frequent services to less-dense areas and smaller, neighborhood buses throughout those areas. For example, many of the existing routes in northeast Long Beach could be replaced with shorter routes and smaller buses.

• Frequent Transit Network: This alternative focuses on improvements to the highest ridership corridors throughout the city. Main corridors, like Atlantic, will have service every 15 minutes or less while other areas would have service every 30 minutes or less. The focus is getting people to places more quickly but it could require additional transfers as routes would be focused on single corridors heading either north/south or east/west. There will be fewer buses going to downtown Long Beach, but more frequent connections.

• Regional Transit Network: In addition to changes to local service, the city Initiative is exploring options for Commuter Express service. These routes would provide regional connections between the Long Beach Transit service area and Los Angeles’ Westside, downtown Los Angeles and Orange County.

Community meetings

Ahead of any potential changes, city transportation officials are hosting a series of community meetings to let the public know what alterations are on the table, as well as to gather some feedback about the recommended changes.

“The most crucial aspect to this process is public input,” said Deputy CEO Debra Johnson. “We hope people will join (Long Beach Transit) at the community meetings so we can hear what is important to them.”

A final report on the study, completed through the 2016 Systemwide Transit Analysis and Reassessment Initiative, will address modifications to routes, bus stops, recommendations for capital needs, and more, according to a news announcement.

It is expected to serve as a roadmap for the transit agency as it seeks to improve the customer experience over the next decade.

Here is a list of the upcoming meetings: