Several areas of the Butler area community have been affected by the suspension of bus service.

The Butler Transit Authority announced Wednesday that because all but one of their 10 local drivers are ill, all local bus routes have been suspended until further notice.

One route included Butler County Community College, where students were dropped off for classes and picked up for the return trip home.

Case Willoughby, the college's vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, said Thursday that administrators began discussing the situation immediately after being notified Tuesday that bus service would be suspended.

He said the vice president of academic affairs suggested the college reach out to the Alliance for Nonprofit Resources and the Center for Community Resources.

Those organizations, Willoughby said, agreed to partner to provide transportation to any BC3 student who was affected by the suspension of service on The Bus.

Lynn McKissick of Butler, who is retired from Butler Memorial Hospital, does not drive and relies on The Bus and family members to get around because she does not drive.

She normally takes The Bus to the Clearview Mall to shop or have lunch with her friends or to visit the doctor.

“Now, I probably won't go anywhere unless my family takes me,” she said.

The transit authority continues to offer commuter bus service to Pittsburgh.

John Paul, authority executive director, said the earliest service could resume is the beginning of October.

He asked for patience and understanding from the community as well as prayers for the drivers.

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