Butler area students who work during the school year will be able to get to their jobs at a reduced price.

The Butler Transit Authority voted Tuesday to decrease the cost of a monthly riding pass for working high school students from $30 to $25.

John Paul, executive director of the transit authority, said he recently received a call from Butler Area School District regarding a new employment program at the high school, which spurred this discount. Paul said the program was described to him as an “extended work study” for the students, and the school district asked the authority for the bus pass option.

"From the transit authority’s point, it’s to help these kids transition," Paul said. “They are going to try to get the employer maybe to pay (for the pass), make it part of the employment or get sponsors to pay for all the kids. That’s up to them.”

The change in price will take effect when school starts in September, but Paul does not know when to expect students to start riding more often. He said he does not know how many students will take advantage of this deal, but the ones that are participating must purchase their bus pass at the transit authority.

Paul said the same rules will apply to the students that apply to any other rider.

Rebecca Black, solicitor for the transit authority, said the authority has a system in place for riders who disobey bus rules.

"For any type of violation, you get a verbal warning and then a letter, depending on the nature of the violation," she said. “Some more serious violations are instant suspension — we have had some of those in the past — but generally you get a warning and a notice.”