PITTSFIELD â Local public transit riders might need to find alternative transportation during weekdays. The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority announced Tuesday that a shortage of bus drivers has forced the BRTA to implement service cutbacks starting Sunday. A lack of qualified drivers available to operate the âBâ buses will result in a reduction of fixed bus routes and paratransit service, BRTA officials said. Saturday schedules are not affected. BRTA Administrator Robert Malnati says the cutbacks are expected to last six to eight weeks, during which time the transit authority aggressively will be hiring and training new drivers. âWe had some of our operators leave the area and other folks leave for other entities, but the majority of them relocated down South,â he said.