Metro’s board will ask riders to consider cuts to bus service, mainly in Prince George’s County — instead of fare increases — to close a gap in the coming budget.

The board voted Thursday to hold a series of public hearings on proposed cuts that affect about 40 bus lines around the region. The plan calls for eliminating portions of lines or some lines altogether, replacing other sections with the individual jurisdictions’ bus service, or increasing the scheduled time in between some buses from one to five minutes.