Butler Transit Authority

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]

Butler Transit Authority
Founded1989
Headquarters130 Hollywood Drive
Butler, Pennsylvania
Service areaButler County, Pennsylvania
Service typeBus
Routes8
Fleet12 Buses
Fuel typeCNG
Diesel
Websitewww.butlertransitauthority.com

History

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] Facilities and technology have also changed over the years. A new 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]

Local Service

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.[9]

Weekday Routes and Major Destinations:[10]

  • Local 1 - Butler City/Pullman Square/Moraine Point/VA Hospital/Butler Commons/Terminal.
  • Local 2/4 - Butler City/Butler Arbors/Sunnyview/BC3/Center Avenue/Terminal.
  • Local 3 - Butler City/Clearview Mall/BHS/Care Center/Terminal.
  • Local 5 - Butler City/Duffy RD. VA Health Center/Butler Commons/Butler Crossings/Terminal.

Saturday Routes and Major Destinations:[10]

  • Local 1 - Butler City/Pullman Square/Moraine Point/VA Hospital/Butler Commons/Terminal.
  • Local 2/4 - Butler City/Butler Arbors/Sunnyview/BC3/Center Avenue/Terminal.
  • Local 3 - Butler City/Clearview Mall/BHS/Care Center/Terminal.

Commuter Service

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.[11] Commuter routes 3 and 4 operate via PA Route 68, I-79, and I-279.[11] Park N' Rides along the route provide a place for riders to park their vehicles and board the bus.[12] Commuter service is only offered on weekdays.

Commuter Routes and Number of Daily Trips:[11]

  • Commuter 1 - 1 Southbound Trip, 1 Northbound Trip.
  • Commuter 2 - 2 Round Trips.
  • Commuter 3 - 2 Round Trips.
  • Commuter 4 - 1 Southbound Trip, 1 Northbound Trip.

Fleet

The Butler Transit Authority maintains a fleet of 12 buses. All 11 buses in regular service are fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG).[1] The only diesel bus is used for public events and as backup. All buses are handicap accessible.[13] Combined, Butler Transit Authority buses travel nearly 200,000 miles annually.

Buses:

  • 3 2019 29-Foot Gillig Local Buses (CNG).[13]
  • 3 2017 29-Foot Gillig Local Buses (CNG).[8][13]
  • 5 2017 45-Foot MCI D4500 Commuter Buses (CNG).[8][13]
  • 1 2007 30-Foot Gillig Phantom Trolley Bus (Diesel).[14][13]

References
  1. Ferris, Steve (April 12, 2019). "Transit Authority celebrates 30th anniversary". Butler Eagle.
  2. Grubbs, Paula (December 9, 2017). "New Pittsburgh bus service has many benefits". Butler Eagle.
  3. Miller, Sally (September 29, 1984). "The Bus Starts Its Runs In Butler Area Monday". Butler Eagle.
  4. Byko, Maureen (November 1, 1989). "Township-City Bus Board OKs Members". Butler Eagle.
  5. Andrasovsky, Jeff (September 24, 2006). "Transit Authority considers new name". Butler Eagle.
  6. "History". Butler Transit Authority. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  7. Biller, Ed (December 19, 2010). "Wheels in Motion". Butler Eagle.
  8. McKrell, Aaron (September 26, 2017). "CNG buses arrive". Butler Eagle.
  9. "65+ Ride Free". Butler Transit Authority. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  10. "Local Bus Info". Butler Transit Authority. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  11. "Commuter Routes and Schedules". Butler Transit Authority. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  12. Ferris, Steve (August 16, 2018). "Transit authority may move park and ride lot". Butler Eagle.
  13. "Buses". Butler Transit Authority. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  14. "Butler Transit Authority receives first ever standard floor converted trolley". Butler Eagle. August 27, 2021.
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