A series of public meetings in three counties will be held throughout October to discuss an updated short-range Transit Development Plan for Central Maryland.The meetings, announced by Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman on Monday, allow the community to address transit services along Howard, Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties as well as the city of Laurel. The plan will also outline services and improvements over the next five years.While current transportation will be discussed, the meetings will also review potential ways to improve transit services throughout central Maryland.The first meeting will be held in Laurel on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Road.Meetings will be held in Howard County on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7 to 9 p.m., at the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive; Thursday, Oct. 20, 7 to 9 p.m., at the North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road; and Thursday, Oct. 27, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Gateway Building, 6751 Gateway Drive. The last meeting will be held in Anne Arundel County on Wednesday Oct. 26, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Arundel Mills Mall, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Harmans Community Room in Hanover.Service alternatives will then be discussed during another set of meetings planned in February, and plans will be drafted and finalized from March to July. The plan is expected to help during the improvement and potential expansion process of the transit system over the next five years.Attendees will be able to complete a survey at the meetings to provide input and suggestions on transit needs. The survey will also be available at kfhgroup.com/centralmd/transitplan.html through October and November, and will be distributed to riders aboard Regional Transportation Agency buses beginning in November.