The Butler Transit Authority on Tuesday approved a $2 million budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year, and a marketing plan that includes a three-month sale on discounted bus passes in the fall or winter.

Budget expenses include $1,063,292 for vehicle operations and $963,991 for administration.

Revenue includes $143,052 from fares and $26,312 from other sources, and grant funds include $1,011,271 from the federal government, $825,134 from the state and $60,800 from the county.

The $263,844 budget for the commuter bus service to Pittsburgh includes expenses of $59,597 for compressed natural gas fueling, $140,164 for vehicle operations, $36,104 for park and ride lots and $27,979 for administration.

Revenue includes $23,805 from fares and about $5,000 from advertising. The budget was balanced using $205,250 from federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) money and $30,000 from state and federal grants.

The authority also approved 3% pay raises for all staff.

The authority's annual marketing plan includes a plan to gain new riders by having a three-month sale on discounted passes in the fall or winter. The cost of the adult pass for 25 days of unlimited rides on local routes will be reduced from $40 to $30, and the 31-trip pass for the commuter service will be reduced from $120 to $90.

Executive Director John Paul said the authority received $903,206 from the CARES Act, $916,370 from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and $1,382,883 from the American Rescue Plan. He said the money can only be used for the commuter service, and it could be used to buy a sixth bus for that service.

The dates for the sale have not been scheduled. A customer appreciation day with giveaways and reduced fares is also being planned, but a date hasn't been scheduled.

Gaining riders is an objective, because local ridership decreased about 47% and commuter ridership fell by 92% as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the marketing plan.

A survey aimed at finding ways to retain riders will be posted on the authority's website and social media, and ridership surveys will be mailed to people 65 and older.

Two events canceled last year because of the pandemic will return this year. The annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign to collect children's toys and clothes and canned goods for the Salvation Army will be conducted this year, and the trolley Santa bus will take part in the Christmas parade in Butler.

Paul said the $2.5 million project to construct a park and ride and an indoor rider waiting area at the authority's facility in the Pullman Center Business Park is underway.The project is expected to be completed in late fall or early winter.