ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Monroe County is expanding access to public transportation by allowing qualified passengers to use RTS with the swipe of an EBT card. The pilot program is the first of its kind in New York State. "Today is about how we embrace innovation and modernization to transform how we serve the community. Once qualified for bus fare assistance, our clients simply have to swipe or tap their EBT card on an RTS connect bus to take a seat and enjoy the ride. This system will also bring cuts for taxpayers. Previously, the Department of Human Services needed to buy a surplus of bus passes in case they were lost or expired. Now, with this new EBT system, qualified residents always have access to transportation as long as they have their card with no expiration dates and no need to replace them," said Adam Bello, Monroe County Executive. The partnership with Monroe Co.'s Dept. of Human Services enables those who qualify to take advantage. "This current system often poses many challenges that we saw and we heard. Bus passes can be lost, stolen, and cause a lot of unnecessary stress to our community members. But today, we're changing that," said Thalia Wright, commissioner for the Monroe Co. Dept. of Human Services. Leaders say the goal is to eliminate any challenges for riders, while setting the standard for communities across the country. "Right now, the program is only for those eligible for monthly transportation assistance. The pilot has been a major success so far. Nearly all of eligible EBT residents are using the cards to ride the bus. Our goal is to expand the program to allow those eligible for daily passes to use the EBT cards to board the bus," Bello said. The county executive says the funds are separate, and transportation allowances will be added to the EBT card already being used for cash and SNAP benefits. Currently, about 200 people in Monroe County are using the monthly program. The county intends to expand it for daily passes by the end of the year.