BUTLER — The county commissioners will work with Butler city and township officials through the end of the year on options to improve public transportation inside the county and to Pittsburgh.

The commissioners at their Wednesday meeting unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Butler Transit Authority, Butler Township and Butler city that will explore ways to move more residents farther.

Commissioner Kim Geyer said the county also is working with the state Secretary of Transportation and others on a three-year pilot program that would map out several routes from Butler to Pittsburgh using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses.

Geyer said while the park and ride facility at the intersection of Route 528 and Interstate 79 would definitely be used for Pittsburgh routes, a number of other park and ride areas would be designated, especially on Route 68.

She said a church in Middlesex Township has been identified as a potential park and ride for a bus going south on Route 8 from Butler and heading west onto Route 228.

Several potential areas on Route 228 West that could serve as park and rides also are being identified, Geyer said.

But the commissioners said no park and ride areas would be forced on property owners.

“It's private property,” said Commissioner Kevin Boozel.

“We want partners, not (enemies),” said Leslie Osche, commissioners' chairman.

The commissioners said they are excited about extending public transportation beyond the city and township.

“It gives the (Transit) Authority more opportunity to expand those services outside the city and township and with less barriers and bureaucracy,” Osche said.

Boozel said it is important to make public transportation affordable and improve it in the county.

“Butler County has been lagging behind in transit,” he said.

Geyer said residents are looking for ways to get to work, school, church and recreation, and she hopes the three-year partnership will provide those opportunities.

“It's something that we want to see succeed for the taxpayer,” she said.