The Monroe County Transportation Authority, also known as the Pocono Pony, commissioned three new public transit buses and a CNG fueling station.

The buses are American made, built by Gillig LLC located in Livermore, California, and were purchased with grants provided by the Federal Transit Administration, The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Monroe County Commissioners.

“The combination of cost savings and extended engine life, will help us become more sustainable, thereby reducing reliance on state and federal subsidies to fund our operation,” stated Peggy Howarth, executive director of MCTA.

The 35-foot-long vehicles are heavy duty, low-floor buses, fueled using compressed natural gas. Each has its own name, chosen by MCTA staff members.

The pink bus is “Jasmine,” which has an officially licensed Susan G. Komen breast cancer color. The lively teal bus was given the name “Shaquille O’Teal.”

The bright green bus will be known as “Kiwi.”

All are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, providing passengers with up-to-the-minute arrival times delivered to their mobile devices through MyStop and Transit.

These apps are available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. MCTA has its own Smart card technology that permits a digital, contactless way to pay fares on the bus known as the MOGO card. Each bus is handicapped accessible with “kneeling” capability and a wheelchair ramp.

The buses started operating Monday.