Monroe County Transit Authority

05/29/2026

🚌 Ride the River Runner This Weekend 🚴‍♂️🛶

Did the weather ruin your plans last weekend? Don't worry. Pocono Pony's River Runner shuttle is ready for a much better round two.

While it might not feel like peak summer heat just yet, this weekend’s cooler, clearer weather is absolutely perfect for hitting the trails or taking a crisp cruise on the Delaware River.

Whether you are:
🥾 Hiking the scenic gaps
🚴‍♂️ Biking along the trails
🛶 Braving the water for an early-season paddle ...
we’ve got your ride covered. Skip the traffic, forget the parking hassle, and ride for FREE.

Plan your outdoor adventure at gomcta.com/trip

05/28/2026

Public transit is a vital resource available in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Monroe County is no exception, and the Pocono Pony is here to cover your local travel needs.

Use PennDOT's Find My Ride tool to explore state transit options and apply online.

Visit pa.gov/FindMyRide to get started, or check local routes at gomcta.com.

PA offers persons with disabilities with a wide range of free or discounted transportation services through Find My Ride.

Visit pa.gov/FindMyRide to learn about the shared ride and fixed route options available and apply through your local transportation provider.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage and selflessness are the foundation of the freedoms we cherish every day in Monroe County.

Service Notice:

Monday, May 25: All services are suspended in observance of the holiday.

Tuesday, May 26: All routes will resume normal schedules.

Quick Fact: Since 1924, the "Buddy Poppy" has been the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae. (Read the poem here: bit.ly/4nmHUaE)

We wish everyone a safe and peaceful holiday.

05/23/2026

Welcome back! The River Runner is officially in service today. Skip the "Lot Full" signs at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area trailheads and "Pony Up" to the river with us. It’s a beautiful day for a free ride.

Tag us in your trail photos for a chance to be featured on our page.
Share your experience with friends and family by sending them the 2026 Park Brochure link: gomcta.com/trip.

Pro Tip: Don't wait for the blister. The second you feel a hotspot — that slight stinging or warm friction on your heel or palm — stop immediately. Apply Leukotape P blister prevention tape or a hydrocolloid bandage (such as Compeed) right then. If you wait until you see a bubble, it's too late. Your first day back should be about the views, not the limping.

The River Runner is funded in part by the National Park Service and Monroe County.
National Park Service

05/22/2026

One sleep to go. The River Runner officially hits the road for 2026. Northbound service starts at 8:10 a.m. from the Delaware Water Gap Park and Ride. Pack your sunscreen, grab your gear, and get ready for a beautiful weekend on the water or the trails.

Plan your day with the 2026 Park Brochure at gomcta.com/trip.

Pro Tip: Arrive 5–10 minutes early to ensure you have plenty of time to secure your equipment. Keep your boat light for the lift. Before boarding the River Runner, make sure your kayak or canoe is empty. Stow all loose gear — paddles, PFDs, and coolers — separately on the bus or trailer. This keeps the loading process fast and ensures nothing flies out on the road.

The River Runner is funded in part by the National Park Service and Monroe County.
National Park Service Monroe County Pennsylvania

05/21/2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is back for 2026, providing $25 in free vouchers to eligible Monroe County seniors (60+) to spend on fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Vouchers must be picked up in person (or by an authorized proxy) on a first-come, first-served basis starting Monday, June 8.

Don't want to deal with traffic or parking? Let the Pocono Pony handle the driving. We can help you get to your local voucher distribution sites and your favorite neighborhood farm stands all summer long.

🗺️ Where & When to Catch the Vouchers:
Monday, June 8 (9 AM–noon): Mountain Community Center, 354 Memorial Boulevard, Tobyhanna
Tuesday, June 9 (9 AM–noon): Chestnuthill Senior Center, 1919 Route 209, Brodheadsville
Wednesday, June 10 (9 AM–noon): Loder Senior Center, 62 Analomink st., East Stroudsburg
Thursday, June 18 (9 AM–noon): Middle Smithfield Community Center, 5200 Milford Road, East Stroudsburg.

🥕 How to Participate:
Check Eligibility: Monroe County residents aged 60+ with a 2026 gross income at or below $29,526 for individuals (or $40,034 for married couples). Bring a photo ID for proof of age and residency.

📞Program Questions? Contact the Monroe County PA Area Agency on Aging at 570-597-3782.

🚍Plan Your Route: Check our guide to see exactly which Pocono Pony route drops you off closest to these distribution centers and participating local markets. Plan your ride: gomcta.com/farmersMarket.php

Let’s fill those reusable grocery bags with the good stuff. 🍅🍏🌽

05/21/2026

SERVICE REMINDER: In observance of Memorial Day, all Pocono Pony services will be suspended on Monday, May 25, 2026. Service will resume on Tuesday, May 26.

Help us spread the word. Please share this post to keep your friends, family, and neighbors informed.

💡 Did you know? Before it became a federal holiday, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day, a time for communities to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with springtime flowers. While the official national birthplace is recognized as Waterloo, NY, our own Boalsburg, PA, is one of the earliest birthplace claimants, where townspeople gathered to honor Civil War heroes as early as 1864.

In October of that year, Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller, and Elizabeth Myers from Boalsburg walked to the local cemetery and placed flowers and wreaths upon the graves of two local men who died as a result of their service to the Union during the Civil War. That day, they had the idea to decorate the graves of all the soldiers and agreed that they should return and decorate the graves on July 4, 1865.

As we pause to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, we want to ensure all our riders stay safe and informed.

Plan your trip: gomcta.com.

05/19/2026

Ready to cast your ballot today, Monroe County?

Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM. If you are planning your trip to the ballot box, the Pocono Pony is ready to help you travel.

📍 Step 1: Find your local polling place here: bit.ly/4wRsGiu
🚌 Step 2: Plan your route at gomcta.com

Friendly Reminder: Not all of our fixed route buses stop at every polling location. If your polling spot is off the main route, see if it falls into one of our PonyPlus microtransit zones for a convenient curb-to-curb ride.

📱 Learn more about PonyPlus zones and booking: gomcta.com/ponyplus

05/18/2026

Skip the trailhead traffic and save your gas for the grill.

Finding a parking spot at the Delaware Water Gap can be a challenge on busy weekends, but the River Runner makes it easy. Park once at our designated lots and let the Pocono Pony handle the rest. It’s the smartest — and cheapest — way to get to the water this summer.

Free service every Saturday and Sunday, May 23 through Sept 6. This includes Saturday, July 4th.
Plan your car-free adventure: gomcta.com/trip.

Pro Tip: Yield to the climb. The hiker going UPHILL has the right of way. If you’re heading down, step safely to the side and give the hikers the space to keep their momentum. It’s the ultimate trail karma move.

The River Runner is funded in part by the National Park Service and Monroe County.

Monroe County Pennsylvania

05/18/2026

📞 A Quick Note From Your Friends at MCTA 📞
If you are trying to reach our wonderful neighbors at the Monroe County PA Area Agency on Aging today, you might have some trouble getting through.

Their phone lines are currently experiencing some technical hiccups and aren't connecting properly.

Don't worry. Their team is still hard at work and ready to assist you. While they work on getting the lines fixed, here is the best way to reach them:

📧 Send an Email: You can drop them a line directly at [email protected].

⏰ Try Again Later: If your request isn't urgent, you can wait and give them a ring a bit later once the system is back up and running.

Thank you for your patience. We all know how technology loves to keep us on our toes.