Butler County Commissioners Approve $3.6 Million to Sustain Regional Transit in 2027
July 27, 2026
Bridge funding preserves bus, microtransit, and paratransit service while BCRTA develops a long-term funding mechanism
HAMILTON, Ohio – The Butler County Board of Commissioners has approved a $3.6 million appropriation to support the Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA) through calendar year 2027, preserving regional bus service, curb-to-curb microtransit, and paratransit for county residents while the Authority works to establish a long-term funding mechanism.
The funding agreement was executed by the Board of County Commissioners on July 21, 2026, and ratified by the BCRTA Board of Trustees on July 22, 2026. The agreement provides one-time bridge funding that keeps BCRTA’s core services intact during 2027 without interruption. Under its terms, the Authority may use the funds only for activities that are eligible for federal financial assistance under the Federal Transit Administration’s Urbanized Area Formula Program (49 U.S.C. 5307), ensuring the appropriation supports eligible public transit purposes. BCRTA will repay the appropriation on a scheduled basis beginning in 2028, contingent on a long-term funding mechanism being established and approved by voters.
The agreement reflects a shared commitment by the County and the Authority to maintain reliable transportation for residents who depend on it to reach jobs, medical appointments, education, and essential services, while positioning BCRTA to secure a stable long-term funding foundation.
“Butler County taxpayers deserve to know their dollars are working hard, and BCRTA has earned this investment by running one of the leanest transit operations in the region. They move more than 820,000 riders a year at a cost per mile that ranks second lowest among their peer agencies. That is real value, and it is the kind of stewardship we expect. This appropriation is a bridge, not a subsidy, and we structured it to be paid back.”
T.C. Rogers, President, Butler County Board of Commissioners
“Behind every one of those rides is a person. It is a senior getting to a dialysis appointment, a parent getting to a shift on time, a young person getting to class. For a lot of our neighbors, this bus is the difference between managing and falling behind. Keeping these routes running through 2027 means we are not asking the people who need us most to go without while BCRTA sorts out the long-term plan.”
Cindy Carpenter, Vice President, Butler County Board of Commissioners
“This agreement gives our riders certainty and gives the County accountability,” said Matthew Dutkevicz, Executive Director of BCRTA. “It keeps public transit in Butler County running through 2027 while we do the work of building a durable, long-term funding mechanism. We are grateful to the Commissioners for their partnership and their confidence in the value transit brings to Butler County.”
BCRTA will continue to operate its full network of services during the agreement period and will share additional details on the long-term funding mechanism as planning advances.
