SWIFTWATER, PA (August 28, 2023) – PonyPlus, the on-demand transportation service offered by Monroe County Transportation Authority, aka Pocono Pony, has a new mobile app that is available for download. The app will go live and accept bookings on Sept. 1.
“After evaluating the first year of PonyPlus service, we decided to upgrade and improve the functionality of our app, which is the heart of booking trips for our on-demand service,” said Rich Schlameuss, CEO of MCTA. “Riders will need to download the new app and create a new account. Then, they can start booking trips.”
With the new PonyPlus app, riders will enjoy more efficient trip routing, improved ride tracking, and an intuitive booking experience. The PonyPlus will continue to cost $2 per ride and operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The service zones are the Tri-Boro Connector, covering the boroughs of East Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg, and Delaware Water Gap; and the Pocono Summit Connector, covering Mount Pocono Borough and Pocono Summit. To see a street map of the service areas, visit gomcta.com/ponyplus.
The new PonyPlus app is powered by Via, the global leader in TransitTech. By switching to Via as the app provider, PonyPlus riders will gain an industry-tested platform that is used successfully in more than 600 communities around the world.
To use the app, simply request a ride using the free PonyPlus app (available in the Google Play and App Store). Via’s intelligent algorithms match riders headed in the same direction into one van, creating quick and efficient shared trips. Riders can travel anywhere within the geofenced zone of either the Tri-Boro Connector or the Pocono Summit Connector. The app gives riders an estimated pick-up time and tracks vehicles in real-time so that riders can see when the ride is almost at their location.
“We have selected Via as our software provider and believe our community will benefit from their experience, analytics, and technical capabilities,” Schlameuss said. “MCTA’s goal is to provide a quality, flexible service for all riders in Monroe County. Our new app will provide riders with a seamless experience, allowing them to get where they need to go.”
“Via is proud to partner with MCTA to create a more rider-centric and efficient on-demand transit experience for residents and visitors in Monroe County,” said Jake Bortz, Northeast Partnerships Lead at Via. “MCTA’s decision to switch to Via’s software to power the PonyPlus represents another step forward in the agency’s leadership in building tech-forward transportation offerings.”
For riders seeking to reach areas of Monroe County outside the service zones, PonyPlus can transport riders to a fixed route bus stop. PonyPlus vans are accessible for riders using canes, walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility devices. Payment for the trip can be made with cash, payable to the driver, or by using a credit card in the app.
For those without a smartphone, riders can call 570-839-6282 to book a trip.
For information, call MCTA at 570-839-6282 or visit gomcta.com. Download the mySTOP app for Fixed Route and/or the PonyPlus app for microtransit services. Stay informed by following MCTA on Facebook and Instagram.
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About MCTA
Monroe County Transportation Authority, aka Pocono Pony, has provided public transportation to residents and visitors of Monroe County, Pennsylvania, since 1979. MCTA, a rural public transportation authority, offers Fixed Route, Shared Ride, Flex, and PonyPlus microtransit services. The mission of MCTA is to enhance the mobility of the people who live, work, or visit Monroe County, Pennsylvania, for the purposes of offering all individuals access to quality-of-life activities, including, but not limited to, health care, shopping, education, recreation, public services, and employment. Our commitment to our community is continuing to serve everyone equally regardless of gender, age, denomination, national origin, race, or creed.
About Via
Founded in 2012, Via pioneered the transportation technology category (TransitTech) by using new technologies to develop public mobility systems, optimizing networks of buses, shuttles, vehicles for the disabled, school buses, autonomous vehicles, and electric vehicles around the world. By building the world's most efficient, equitable, and sustainable transportation network for all passengers-including those with limited mobility, those without smartphones, and people without bank accounts-Via works with its partners to lower public transportation costs and provide transportation options that can rival the convenience of a personal car while reducing environmental impact. At the intersection of transportation and technology, Via is a visionary market leader that combines software innovation with sophisticated service design and operational expertise to radically improve the way the world moves, delivering technology in 600 cities and more than 35 countries.
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