The Butler Transit Authority is hoping to encourage ridership of their commuter service to and from Pittsburgh through a new summer promotion.
“Week 3 Is Free” means that BTA commuter trips to Pittsburgh are free for all passengers during the third week of May, June, July and August.
In addition to the free rides, new passengers can get a 15-trip pass for free with the purchase of a 31-trip pass. Current passengers are encouraged to bring a friend to ride and when they purchase a bus pass, the current passenger will get five rides for free.
“We need to get more people riding the bus,” John Paul, transit authority executive director, said during a Butler Transit meeting Tuesday.
The free weeks will be May 13-17; June 17-21; July 15-19; and Aug. 12-16. During those weeks, residents will simply board the bus and grab a seat.
Central and northeastern Butler County residents have the option of four southbound morning trips and four northbound afternoon/evening trips between Butler and downtown Pittsburgh. These routes include park-n-ride locations at Pullman Square in the city of Butler and Glade Run church along Route 8 in Middlesex Township.
For residents in southwestern Butler County, Butler Transit has coordinated with New Castle Area Transit Authority to provide seven southbound morning trips and eight afternoon/evening trips between the Route 528 Park-N-Ride (just outside of Evans City) and Pittsburgh. These routes have park-n-ride locations at Pullman Square in the city of Butler, EDCO Park in Evans City and express service into Pittsburgh from the Route 528/I-79 Park-N-Ride.
Butler Transit offers real-time bus tracking, mobile ticketing, coach seats, USB charging ports and free WiFi. Fares start at $3.87 for transportation between Butler County and Pittsburgh.
