Free River Runner shuttle service starts Saturday in Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area

The River Runner shuttle will run a free hourly bus service on Saturdays to get hikers, bikers and boaters around in Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area during the summer.

The shuttle comes with a trailer attached that can portage kayaks, canoes and bikes up and down the river, along with their owners, children and people-friendly pets.

The Monroe County Transportation Authority (MCTA), also known as Pocono Pony, will run the free shuttle service on Saturdays from May 25 through Aug. 31. It is also being sponsored in part by the National Park Service, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau and the Monroe County commissioners.

"So you park at one space, load your equipment on our bus and then we take you up to another part of the river where you unload your things and then float, ride or hike your way back to your car again," said Rich Schlameuss, CEO of MCTA. "Rather than have two cars in two places, you only need a car in one spot and we do the transportation piece of it."

According to Schlameuss, the River Runner is in its 13th year and has transported thousands of people over the years. "It's a great way to get out on the river if you are by yourself or with one other person and you have one or two boats that you can put on your car, and it's free public transportation that affords access to a wonderful park with a rich history and picture-worthy scenery."

The River Runner route begins at the Park and Ride in Delaware Water Gap (Exit 310 off Interstate 80) and runs a northbound shuttle every hour starting at 8:10 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. The southbound route will also run every hour from Milford Beach, between 10 a.m. and 3:05 p.m.

There are numerous stops where people can get on or off along Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area's river access points and other locations, such as Kittatinny Point, Delaware Water Gap, Shawnee Inn, Smithfield Beach, Bushkill Access, Dingmans Access and Milford Beach. For a full schedule, visit https://www.gomcta.com/trip.php#riverrunner.

The River Runner holds up to 10 kayaks or canoes and four bicycles.

Passengers are asked to be at the stop five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival times of the busses and load all their own gear.

The Delaware Water Gap Connector, an MCTA shuttle bus, also provides service between the MCTA bus stop in Swiftwater and the Park and Ride lot in Delaware Water Gap.

For more information or details, call MCTA at 570-839-6282 or visit gomcta.com/trip.

Maria Francis covers K-12 education and real estate, housing and development for the Pocono Record. Reach her at mfrancis@poconorecord.com.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: MCTA's free shuttle in Delaware Water Gap rec area starts Saturday