Butler Transit Authority approved a one-year marketing plan allowing passengers to buy bus passes online using credit cards.

Authority board members voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the plan that will cost $56,826 to implement.

Through www.connectcard.org passengers will be able to buy passes, buy credit for passes and check their account balance beginning July 1, according to Kelly Stewart, public relations and Internet technology manager, who outlined the plan in a power point presentation for board members.

The new system will allow first-time passengers to pay with credit cards, she said.

“It’s in final testing phases now. It’s going to be huge for our passengers,” Stewart said.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County will maintain the system and accounts can be shut down if unauthorized transactions are discovered, she said.

Printing and distribution of a map containing all bus routes is another part of the marketing plan.

The system-wide map will show where routes overlap or run close to each other, making it easier for passengers to transfer between buses, Stewart said.

The commuter service to Pittsburgh will be marketed by promoting it from three perspectives.

One is “green” because it uses buses fueled by compressed natural gas.

The second is economical, because it saves people from paying for parking and gas.

The third is enjoyment — promoting amenities such as Wi-Fi service, USB charging ports and free park and ride lots.

The state approved $50,000 to promote the service using advertisements, direct mail and digital marketing, Stewart said.

Testimonials from passengers also will be used in the marketing plan, she said.

In other business, the board authorized John Paul, executive director, to apply to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission for a $250,000 grant for preliminary engineering and design of a park and ride lot at the Connoquenessing Township Municipal Building and paving the park and ride lot in Evans City.

A $62,500 match from the authority and Butler County Commissioners would be needed if the grant is approved, Paul said.

The application is due April 13, before the authority’s next meeting on April 17.

Paul said he has requested a commitment from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for a $725,025 match for the $3 million in federal funding to build the Connoquenessing park and ride and pave the Evans City park and ride, because the SPC won’t approve the grant if the projects are not going to be completed.