At the board's Tuesday meeting, Butler County Transit Authority director John Paul announced that the budget to add the route to Pittsburgh from Butler to Route 68 and down Route 19 will be an estimated $365,000.

With revenues estimated at $108,000, the project's budget would see a $256,000 deficit. But Paul said that shortfall would be offset by state and federal operating funds the authority expects to receive. He said the final specifications for the compressed natural gas fueling station will be available within the next few weeks.

The board also discussed the service schedule for the new route.

Paul said a trial run down routes 68 and 19, plus interstates 79 and 279, was made recently. But the times may need to be modified because of the large construction project on Route 279 near Pittsburgh. That project will end in October.

“That's part of the reason why we're not really going to go full-bore on advertising (the run) until fall,” Paul said.

Board member Lance Calvert said he thinks $5 each way sounds too inexpensive when gasoline costs for a commuter driving to Pittsburgh would be more, not to mention parking and other costs associated with the commute.

“That's correct,” Paul said. “That's the attraction.”

The board voted unanimously to approve the tentative schedule, which Paul did not want to divulge until more research is complete.

Paul also said the results of a 253-rider survey determined that all but one rider was either satisfied or very satisfied with their bus trips, and 97 percent would recommend the service to others.

Paul said he is pleased with the results of the survey, which the state requires every five years.