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Fixed-route bus between Hamilton, Middletown off to ‘good start’

Robert Westbrook (left) and Jonathan McDowell were two of the passengers riding the Butler County Regional Transit Authority bus from Hamilton to Middletown on Wednesday, July 1.

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Robert Westbrook (left) and Jonathan McDowell were two of the passengers riding the Butler County Regional Transit Authority bus from Hamilton to Middletown on Wednesday, July 1.

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer 11:15 PM Friday, July 3, 2009

HAMILTON — For Robert Westbrook, Butler County’s new bus route between Hamilton and Middletown is a lifeline.

The Middletown man was riding back from St. Raphael in Hamilton, where he was applying for rental assistance for his new apartment on Wednesday, July 1. A $4 round trip by bus would cost $64 by taxi, he said.

“That money can go towards bills, it can go toward food, clothing and savings,” Westbrook said.

The only fixed-route bus service in the county has been popular since it was launched two months ago, according to Carla Lakatos, director of the Butler County Regional Transit Authority.

There were 18 riders in one day earlier this week, she said, with ridership averaging between 33 and 63 a week.

“I think it’s a good start. It’s growing in popularity. We still get a lot of calls on it, and we’re still getting the word out,” she said. “It’s new and it takes a while to build ridership and get people to know they can rely on it and plan their trips around it.”

And now that the route is in place, Lakatos said the agency is seeking a federal grant to broaden the service, busing people to job sites in Monroe and West Chester Twp. They’ll know later this year if that’s feasible, she said.

Lakatos said BCRTA has added bike racks to both fixed-route buses and is constantly looking to “tweak” the route. She urges residents to call (513) 785-5237 for information on routes.

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