The Monroe County Transportation Authority broke ground Friday on the $32 million Wayne P. Mazur Sr. Bus Depot, marking the largest expansion in Pocono Pony’s 47-year history.

The new 44,000-square-foot facility, named for a founding board member, will modernize regional mobility and provide essential indoor storage to protect the transit fleet from severe weather.

“We are officially moving into a new era of transit in Monroe County,” said Rich Schlameuss, CEO of MCTA.

“This $32 million investment gives our team the tools they need to operate at the highest level and ensures our community has a transit system that is as resilient as the people it serves.”

In February, the MCTA board of directors unanimously voted to name the new facility the Wayne P. Mazur Sr. Bus Depot. Mazur, an original board member when MCTA was founded in 1979, serves as the board chairman. Mazur is a lifelong resident of Pocono Township and has been actively involved with MCTA.

He was instrumental in the construction of MCTA’s initial property development in 1996 and further upgrades over the years.

“To name this facility after Wayne P. Mazur Sr. is to honor his extraordinary commitment to the people we serve,” Schlameuss said. “His leadership has guided MCTA for decades, and this depot will carry that legacy forward as Pocono Pony Moves Monroe.”

The new facility will provide covered storage for the entire fleet and expand operational space, helping ensure buses are protected from severe weather and ready to serve riders reliably.

The project also includes the rehabilitation of maintenance areas with modern equipment and expanded site space to improve operational efficiency and meet the region’s growing mobility needs.

The $32 million project is supported by the Federal Transit Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and a Local Share Account grant.

The investment will support MCTA’s fixed route, Shared Ride, Flex and PonyPlus microtransit services, strengthening mobility for residents, workers and visitors throughout Monroe County.

Ceremony speakers included Mike Carroll, secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; Terry Garcia Crews, Region III administrator, Federal Transit Administration; state Sen. Rosemary M. Brown; state Rep. Maureen Madden; John Christy, chairman, Monroe County commissioners; Wayne P. Mazur Sr., chairman, MCTA board of directors; and Rich Schlameuss, CEO, MCTA.

WSP is providing construction management services, and Stantec is serving as the project’s architect and engineer. Prime construction contracts were awarded to D&M Construction Unlimited Inc., Hosler Corp., Wind Gap Electric Inc., and K.C. Mechanical Services Inc., which will lead the general construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing components of the project.

Construction is expected to be completed by spring 2028.