Metro Transit will reduce service starting Dec. 24 for Christmas and the week after the holiday.

Metro has planned reductions for holiday periods where there has historically been 20-40 percent fewer weekday riders. On Christmas and New Year’s Day, Metro will use a Sunday schedule.

The reduced weekday schedule will be in effect on:

• Friday, Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve

• Monday-Friday, Dec. 27-31 – winter holiday period, including New Year’s Eve

• Monday, Jan. 17 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

On days with reduced weekday schedules, some commuter and school-oriented routes do not operate, and other routes will have individual trips canceled. Many routes will have no changes.

The reduced weekday schedule features more bus service than on weekends, but somewhat less service than on normal weekdays. This schedule is being used on 10 days in 2010, and is estimated to save Metro about $1 million each year.

A complete list of routes that are canceled or have trip cancellations on these days can be found on Metro Online.

Metro Transit also will introduce fare changes that begin on Jan. 1. Those changes also apply to a number of transit pass products. All adult Metro riders will see a 25 cent fare increase for the new year. Fares for other Metro products, such as passes and ticketbooks, also increase. Also, all-day passes and family fares will no longer be available on weekends and holidays. Youth fares will remain unchanged.

The fare increase, which was adopted by the King County Council in 2009, is one of several approaches Metro is using to help ease the effects of a severe budget shortfall. In addition to fares, Metro is pursuing a number of other actions to deal with the shortfall including efficiencies and staff reductions.