The Butler Transit Authority is pleased to be able to offer reliable, economical transportation to the Butler community.

With the increasing cost of gas, car maintenance and other economical pressures, the Authority hopes soon to offer Butler commuters more options with coach bus service from Butler to Pittsburgh to begin in late 2014.

The first phase of this new goal is to improve and expand the park and ride at Route 528 and I-79 as the buses will travel Route 68 to the Route 528 park and ride and then continue on to Pittsburgh.

The Authority acquired five acres adjacent to the current park and ride at Route 528. The five acres will yield 200 more parking spaces for residents of Butler County looking to commute to Pittsburgh.

In addition to the much needed increase in parking spaces, the Authority will build a shelter at the site for waiting passengers. The Authority hopes to open the park and ride and shelter early in 2014.

Part of the expansion was made possible with a special grant through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. The Authority also thanks the Butler County Commissioners, PennDOT and the Federal Transit Administration for their support of the project and for the continued improvement to public transportation in the county.

In addition to the park and ride project, the Authority is working on plans to build a compressed natural gas fueling station for public and agency use at the Pullman facility. Plans are to open this facility in 2014.

To stay up-to-date with these projects and other Butler Transit Authority news, visit www.butlertransit.com.

This article was submitted by the Butler Transit Authority.