Anyone can ride with the Butler Area Rural Transit program. The general public can ride for a fee.

Riders who are 60 and older receive free rides for the following trips: medical, pharmacy, nutrition and senior centers, adult day care and general shopping.

Escorts accompanying riders needing assistance are not charged.

All vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts.

For riders 65 and older, for rides that are not fully covered, rates are $1.35 to $1.45 for local trips, $1.95 to $2 for trips traveling across one zone and $2.50 to $2.60 for trips across two zones. These riders pay only 15 percent of the total cost.

The Butler County Area Agency on Aging pays the remaining 85 percent of the cost for riders for the following trips: work, school, restaurants, beauty parlors, visiting trips, county courthouse, bank, post office and recreational jaunts.

For riders up to 64 years old, who pay full price, the rates are from $8.95 to $9.45 for local trips, $12.75 to $13.25 for trips across one zone and $16.55 to $17.05 for trips across two zones.

BART falls under the county Department of Community Action.

Those using BART more than eight times a month will be billed. If riding eight or fewer times a month, fees must be paid upon boarding.

The cost of the free rides is paid by the state Shared Ride Transportation Program and the county Area Agency on Aging. However, donations for these rides are requested.

First-time riders must register by calling 724-282-1904.

Rides must be scheduled no later than noon on the day before the trip. Rides can be scheduled up to two weeks before the trip.

The rides are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, so people should schedule their trips as close to the two-week advance as possible.

Rides scheduled two days or more in advance can be made until 3 p.m. daily.

To schedule a ride, call 724-282-6060 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

BART operates from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.