LOS ANGELES—With bus operators leaving Metro at higher rates than they’re being hired, the transit agency will temporarily reduce bus service beginning Feb. 20 to avoid more unexpected cancellations. The Metro Board of Directors voted last Thursday to reduce service due to a bus operator shortage. Between Dec. 13 and Jan. 12, several bus lines had 20 percent or more of their trips canceled due to the shortage, according to a staff presentation given to the board. Metro officials said the cancellations disproportionately impact “equity focused communities,” particularly in South Los Angeles. Beginning Feb. 20, bus service will be reduced by 800,000 “revenue service hours” or the time per year that a vehicle is available for service. Metro aims to begin service restoration in June 2022 at the earliest. Metro said the reduction of operators has occurred due to a “perfect storm” that includes the national labor shortage, attrition greater …