More opportunities for new and returning riders to try out Butler Transit Authority will appear in the coming months as part of its upcoming marketing campaigns.

Kelly Stewart, marketing and communications manager for the authority, presented the marketing plan for the upcoming fiscal year. It will involve two major campaigns: “BTA Gets You There” and “Your Ride. Your Town.”

All of the campaigns and promotions planned will cost the authority an estimated $56,200. The authority’s board of directors approved the plan unanimously.

The “Your Ride. Your Town.” campaign will focus more on the personal and local aspects of the authority, highlighting how it is used and run primarily by Butler County residents. The authority also plans to use perforated vinyl to advertise the campaign on its buses’ windows.

“We want to portray how BTA fits into your life and that we aren’t just a transit system. We’re Butler’s transit system. Our routes are your routes, your grandma’s route, your neighbor’s route, your friend’s route,” Stewart said.

The “BTA Gets You There” campaign will focus on educating the public on where exactly the authority covers. Alongside general advertisements, the authority will use yard signs along its routes to better physically highlight where specifically is covered.

“People see our buses. We have absolutely no doubt that they know about us, but do they know where we go? It’s all about getting people to know the different places we serve,” Stewart said.

For further education and awareness, the authority is planning to set up pop-up stands at events and other high traffic locations, such as shopping centers, to directly interact with perspective riders.

Stewart said there will also be focus on getting new riders to try the authority. For that purpose, a “ride along ambassador” will be available for new riders to schedule alongside. The ambassador will then educate the rider on bus etiquette, reading schedules and more.

The authority also plans to offer promotions for discounted or free rides to potential new or currently lapsing riders and to survey and email new riders afterward in the hopes of making them regulars.