Overview
The Beaver County Transit Authority (BCTA) Board of Directors approved service plan and fares for fixed route, shared ride, and BCTA Connect services in 2025 and beyond at the December 3, 2024, board meeting.
Fixed Route
The most significant change to Routes 1, 2 and 3 is the reduction of fixed route headways from 65 to 60 minutes. This means that all fixed route buses will converge at the Rochester Transportation Center (RTC) at the same time each hour facilitating fast and convenient transfers. Passengers will also have the luxury of knowing that the bus will arrive at their stop at the same time each hour. BCTA’s fixed route continues to experience ridership gains. Over 4,000 additional trips were provided during the first quarter of the current year compared to the same period in 2023.
More information will be available about timed stop changes in the coming days.
BCTA’s board did not approve a fixed route fare increase. Instead, the Board approved an extension of the summer youth pass from September 1st to April 30th. Passengers 21 years of age and under pay a one-way fare of $1.00 and ride free on any fixed route during the summer months. Almost 6,000 trips were made between June and August 2024 increasing the mobility of many disadvantaged youth. Applications can be made online or by visiting the BCTA customer service center in Rochester.
Cornerstone Service Expansion
Another fixed route improvement is the expansion of the service to Cornerstone; the homeless shelter located in Vanport on Route 3. Five morning and five evening trips will be provided to the shelter. The Cornerstone stop is also convenient and utilized by several other businesses near the stop.
Stop Improvements
BCTA also programmed capital funds for solar lighted bus stops along the fixed routes and bus shelters. BCTA plans to install up to 50 solar panels at bus stops throughout the fixed route system to improve lighting for passenger boardings. In addition, solar retrofits are planned for all BCTA bus shelters, and new benches will be installed in Ambridge, Aliquippa and Beaver Falls along the fixed route. A new bus shelter is programmed for Beaver Falls at the Library stop.
BCTA Connect Midland Pilot
The BCTA is set to begin the BCTA Connect service in Midland on January 6th. The service is new and allows Midland residents to pre-book trips up to 2 days in advance or within 4 hours of their desired pick-up time and travel to numerous medical, retail and employment destinations in Calcutta, Ohio. Two 2 seven passenger accessible vans will be used to operate the new service. The Board approved 2 months of free fares to introduce service to the Midland community. The fare after the trial period will be in the $2.00 – $3.00 range. Key demographics in the area depict a high percentage of low income, senior citizen and disabled and unemployed residents in this isolated community without a grocery store, bank, or medical office.
Premier Pan Partnership
BCTA will also begin a subscription service with USA Pan company. Employees will be picked up at the Ambridge regional park and ride and dropped off at the new USA Pan distribution center in Crescent Township. A similar service is being explored with other employers.
Long-Term Vision
Longer term, BCTA is reviewing alternative plans to provide out-of-county medical transportation services to Butler and Allegheny counties. Pockets of medical facilities, including specialists exist in Cranberry, Wexford, Warrendale, Sewickley, Moon, Robinson and North Fayette Townships and Pittsburgh, including the Oakland area. Final details of this advance reservation service are expected in the summer of 2025 with service starting in 2026. Four communities are being considered for a “pilot” based on demographic information including Beaver Falls, Rochester, Aliquippa and Ambridge. Partnering with human service agencies will be an integral part of the planning process.