EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — Major changes are coming to a local transportation authority.
Monroe County Transit Authority (MCTA,) also known as Pocono Pony, increased its fare to $2 for 2025.
They also installed new credit card machines in their fleet.
MCTA is moving away from transit cards and is making payments more convenient and flexible.
Riders can still pay cash if they choose.
8 new firefighters sworn in Wilkes-BarreSeniors over 65 with an MCTA ID and school-aged children "K" through 12th grade can still ride for free.
Fare rates for college students and ADA are reduced.
There is also a ride request program available using their app.
"The more that they ride, the more they save. Basically what happens is that there's a fare cap so what that allows the customer to do is board the bus and not pay more than $4 in a day, $20 in a week, or $64 in a month and so all those rides after that will be free," said Pocono Pony CEO Richard Schlameuss said.
The ride fare has only increased 75¢ since 1980.