Jim Bachman trudges through the Butler Township parking lot under dark skies. But the predawn rain doesn't dampen his spirits.

Jim, a 72-year-old driver for Butler Area Rural Transit, likes his job.

The Concord Township resident drives a BART minibus, taking mainly elderly county residents to where they need to go, whether it be a doctor's appointment, the grocery store or work.

For Jim, driving a BART bus isn't a chore.

"It's a good job," he says. "It makes you feel like you're helping people."

Jim drives different routes each day, depending on where riders need to go. With varied routes, he's familiar with many of the faces boarding his bus.

Around 6:30 a.m., it's time to pull out.

On this day, Jim's first pickup is Virginia Novak on Mountain View Lane in Franklin Township. She's heading for her job at the Butler YWCA.

Virginia is glad the BART buses are around.

"I'm a fair-weather driver," she says.

Virginia used to drive herself everywhere, but "too many close calls" with other motorists convinced her to start using BART.

She says all of the bus drivers are nice.

The inclement weather is the topic of the day between driver and passenger.

Virginia leaves the bus a little after 7 a.m.

"Be safe," she says to Jim.

"I hope so," he replies.

Because of the various riders' schedules, different drivers often do pickups for those they did not drop off that morning. Another driver is scheduled to pick Virginia up.

The rain seems to have dissuaded some riders from getting out of the house. Jim scratches off a name after a trip is canceled.

He says his days range from slow, with gaps between trips, to busy.

"Some days you have to hustle like hell to get from one place to another," he says.

Jim likes to arrive for pickups early. "I don't want anyone to have to be waiting on me," he says.

Time for the next stop.

Next up is Keith, who lives in a personal care home in Butler. He goes to the Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center on Hillvue Drive in Butler Township for its daily programming.

Jim arrives at 7:35 a.m. to pick up Keith.

"Getting you up kind of early today?" Jim asks Keith.

"Yeah," replies the still-sleepy passenger.

After arriving at the center, not enough lights are lit. Jim waits until Keith checks the door. Sure enough, it's locked.

Jim waves Keith back onto the bus. He drives over to the Sheetz convenience store down the road.

Keith hops out to buy a milk — then to the center, where some time is killed until workers starting arriving and open the door.

Jim says goodbye to Keith, who will be picked up by another driver.

The leisurely pace continues as a second cancellation comes over the radio.

"I'd rather be busy," Jim says.

Today's passengers are a friendly bunch. A few other riders keep things interesting, though."We do get some characters on here," he says.Jim recalls one regular rider who is very particular, insisting he had a reserved seat. Another rider eventually became frustrated and vowed to take the treasured seat one day.Another woman would always change where she was scheduled to be taken."You never knew where she was going," Jim says.Next comes a winding path through city streets, picking up a group of guys heading to the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center for scheduled appointments and activities.After taking Lloyd Hinchberger, Doles "Stan" Stanley, Marcel "Mickey" Gall and Mitchell Dancik to the VA center off New Castle Road, Harry is taken to Abba House Adult Day Care at 9:13 a.m.Time to take Ellen Rudolph from her Timberly Heights residence to the Clearview Mall to get some shopping done.Before dropping Ellen off, Jim ensures she has a ride home on another bus, since that information wasn't listed on his sheet.Throughout the day, conversation shifts to whatever the bus passes.Upon seeing the new county prison being built on South Washington Street, the comments range from "It's going up fast" to "Why did they build it there?"Dan Vavro of Bon Aire Drive is next on the list. He needs a ride to work at the Pullman Square Shop 'n Save.Dan uses a wheelchair to get around, so the bus's mechanical lift comes in handy."He's a nice kid," Jim says. "He never complains."Dan proves Jim right, remaining chipper through the challenge of getting around and facing the impending closing of his employer.Jim helps Dan disembark at 10:45.Lunchtime approaches.Due to the scattered cancellations, Jim has some breathing room for lunch, having time to eat at a restaurant.After eating, it's time to go on the road again.Ouida Zepora, who also uses a wheelchair, needs a ride home from the Butler Commons Wal-Mart.Ouida says the BART service is essential for people like her, citing the poor condition of the sidewalks on the Wayne Street Bridge. On one side, a large hole prevents her wheelchair from getting through. The other side is tilted — another insurmountable obstacle.While wishing rides to the bank and post office still were free for riders under 65, Ouida, who is 63, acknowledges the service's benefits.Time to pick up the guys at the VA medical center.After finishing a competitive game of bingo, the guys board the bus around 2 p.m.Marcel "Mickey" Gall says he appreciates having the bus service. "It's a convenience for us," he says.Jim works four days a week as a driver. On Thursdays, he volunteers at the VA center.Before joining BART, Jim worked more than 20 years for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Two months after retiring in 1999, boredom set in."I told my wife I was going back to work. I was going crazy," he says.Just as Jim is glad to have the work to keep him busy and feel good about helping others, his riders are just as happy to have him and the bus to take them."I don't know what we'd do without BART," Ouida says.