Butler Transit Authority, also known as theBus or the BTA, is a public transportation service in Butler, Pennsylvania.[1] The service provides local transit in central Butler County and commuter routes from Butler to Pittsburgh.[2] The BTA operates a fleet of 12 buses.[1] The service transports nearly a quarter million passengers annually.[1]
The Butler Transit Authority traces its roots to the early 1980s, when the City of Butler Renaissance Commission started a local bus service to revitalize downtown.[3] This service became the Butler Township-City Joint Municipal Transit Authority (BTCJMTA) in 1989.[4] The BTCJMTA changed its name to the Butler Transit Authority in 2006.[5] Since its founding, the Butler Transit Authority has expanded beyond its 4 original routes. An express route was added in the mid-1990s, which would become route 5 in 2011.[6] In 2017, 4 commuter routes running from Butler to Pittsburgh were created.[2] Along with the expansion of service, facilities and equipment have been upgraded over the years. A transit center consisting of an administrative office and bus garage was completed in 2010.[7] The BTA started purchasing buses fueled with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in 2017 and in 2019 a new CNG fueling station was completed at the bus garage.[8][1] In 2022, the addition of a training room, commuter waiting room, and Park n' Ride lot was completed at the transit center.[9] In 2023, the last diesel fueled bus was sold.[10]
Local service consists of 4 routes. These routes provide transportation in Butler Township, the City of Butler, Center Township, and Summit Township. All local routes offer weekday service and 3 offer a modified Saturday schedule. Free local service is offered to citizens over 65 years of age who have a PA State Senior Citizens Pass.[11]
Commuter service consists of 4 routes running from Butler to Pittsburgh. Commuter routes 1 and 2 operate via PA Route 8 and PA Route 28.[13] Commuter routes 3 and 4 operate via PA Route 68, I-79, and I-279.[13] Park N' Rides along the route provide a place for riders to park their vehicles and board the bus.[14] Commuter service is only offered on weekdays. Free commuter service is offered to citizens over 65 years of age who have a PA State Senior Citizens Pass.[11]
The Butler Transit Authority maintains a fleet of 12 buses. All 12 buses in regular service are fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG).[1] All buses are handicap accessible.[16] Combined, Butler Transit Authority buses travel nearly 200,000 miles annually.
