The Butler Area Rural Transit service now uses a private company after the April 26 bus accident that injured 11 riders, two of whom died, caused its insurance rates to skyrocket.

Janine Kennedy, director of Butler County Community Action, said the Alliance for Nonprofit Resources continues to oversee the BART program, but Pittsburgh North Aire-Ride, a division of Barker Brothers, now handles the drivers.

BART buses travel to most areas of the county, picking up riders at their homes on scheduled trips.

Kennedy said insurance rates roughly tripled in July, requiring a change to keep the shared ride transportation program financially viable.

“We wouldn’t be able to continue to operate with the higher insurance rates,” she said. “It’s just astronomical.”

Mike Robb, ANR executive director, said the rate hike from Philadelphia Insurance amounted to an annual $118,000 increase.

The policy’s auto insurance rose from $21,312 to $100,749 while workers’ compensation increased from $25,243 to $64,653.

Robb said the rate hike may not have been the only impact; the former insurer indicated it probably would not continue coverage when the policy would be up for renewal next spring.

Under the realigned program, Aire Ride pays the insurance under its own policy.

Robb said the Sept. 1 change didn’t affect riders, whose rates stay the same.

“We wanted a zero-dollar impact on this exchange,” he said.

Riders also see the same drivers because Aire Ride retained 27 of the original 29 drivers and three office personnel who formerly worked for ANR.

On April 26, a BART bus drove onto tracks into the path of a train at the Maple Avenue crossing in Evans City.

Passenger Claudette Miller, 92, of Callery died later that day from injuries she received in the accident. Another passenger, John Burkett, 88, of Zelienople, died May 4.

Bus driver Frank Schaffner, 59, of Butler was charged with 35 counts, including two counts each of homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter.

Schaffner, who no longer drives for BART, waived his July 26 preliminary hearing so the case moves to trial.

The county and ANR already worked with Aire Ride for the Medical Assistance Transportation Program, taking county residents on nonemergency medical trips such as doctor appointments.

“I feel I have the best of both worlds,” Kennedy said about having Aire Ride handle the drivers and ANR be the oversight.

Robb agreed the partnership with Aire Ride would be beneficial.

“Their size and definition marries well with the bus portion of our business,” he said.

Under the funding from the state Department of Transportation, the county gets $4.25 per one-way trip for gas and maintaining the nearly 20 buses, ANR gets $2.75 for administration costs, and Pittsburgh North Aire Ride receives $8 for paying the drivers and insurance.

The program also receives state and federal human services funds.

Kennedy said the emotional impact of the tragedy remains.

“It was horrific,” she said. “The staff still are affected by it.”

Robb agreed: “We will carry it with us always.”