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Doing Business with CARTA

Information on advertising with CARTA, media inquiries, procurements and more.

Plan Your Trip

Advertising on CARTA

Available Media Forms

Internal and External bus advertising currently offered includes: Full Wraps, Full Sides, King Kongs, Super Tails, Full Backs, Interior Cards and Bus Shelters.

At this time, flyers (non-CARTA materials) are not allowed for distribution on CARTA buses.

Please contact CARTA’s Advertising Manager Jon Kane at jkane@ridecarta.com or (843) 364-2627 for more information.

Transit and Bus Stop Design Guidelines (2021)

This document is a tool to help the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG), Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), and regional partners deliver transportation choices that link people, jobs, and community conveniently, consistently, and safely. The intent of the Guidelines is to facilitate the proper siting, design, installation, and maintenance of either existing or proposed bus stops throughout the Region. The information in these Guidelines will be of use to anyone involved in the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and/or use of bus stops: community members, transit staff, planners at the municipal, county, and state level, and developers and private landowners

CARTA Bus Stop Design Guidelines Full Document

Procurement

Although not a federal agency, CARTA procurement’s are governed by the Federal Transit Administration regulations.  As such, please find the FTA Master Agreement: Federal Transit Administration Master Agreement.

Are you interested in doing business with local government agencies? If so, you have found your first step. Conducting business with CARTA may be a rewarding experience and we invite our business to compete for opportunities. There are small and large opportunities for local, regional and national businesses to do business with CARTA.

To participate as a registered DBE, you must be registered with the SCDOT.  We also encourage and have programs for DBE and Small Businesses to participate in procurement opportunities.

In accordance with State Procurement Code and CARTA’s current contract for procurement services, please use the following contact information for any projects that have entered the active procurement process and for general information regarding CARTA procurement, send your email to askcarta@ridecarta.com or call (843) 724-7304.

Current open solicitations:

RFQ: On-Call Engineering Services – Bus Shelters & Amenities | Download | Deadline for submittals: August 7, 2024 by 3 PM

CARTA is soliciting qualifications proposals from Architecture and Engineering (A&E) firms to develop specifications, design and construction documents for the installation of bus shelters and amenities in the CARTA service area.

Past solicitations:

RFP: Design Services – Public Transit & Workforce Development Center

IFB: Armored Transport Services

IFB: CARTA Overhead Bus Charging Station Installation | Download 

Addendum #1_IFB-CARTA Overhead Bus Charging Station Installation_10.25.24

IFB-CARTA Overhead Bus Charging Station Installation_Bid Item Sheet

RFP: Battery Electric Bus Charging Management Software

RFP: Financial Audit Services

RFP: ADA Accessible Vans

RFP: Management, Operations and Maintenance Services: Fixed Route & Paratransit

RFP: Transportation Network Company (TNC)

RFP: Real Time Location System

Addendum 1: CARTA Re-Branding

CARTA Parking Lot Expansion – North Charleston, SC

Design-Bid-Build Services: Electric Bus Charging Infrastructure Request for Proposals

CHATS Travel Demand Model Expansion

CARTA Parking Lot Expansion – North Charleston

Electric Bus Masterplan

CARTA 35fT. Electric Bus RFP

Post Mounted Solar Lighting Addendum 1

Solar Lighting

Digital Signage Addendum 1

Digital Signage

Transportation Network Company

Transportation Network Company Addendum #1

Underground Storage Tank Compliance

UST Blueprint

UST Plans

UST Site Plan

Addendum #1

40 Ft. Electric Bus

Addendum 1 Electric Bus

Custodial Services IFB

Armored Transport Services IFB

Bus Wrap Advertising

IFB Armored Transport Services – Addendum #1

IFB Armored Transport Services

Invitation to Bid Melnick Park and Ride Facility

Vehicle Refurbishment RFP

ITS Software RFP

ITS Software Addendum #1

Legal Services 

RFP Financial Audit Services

RFP Mobile Ticketing

IFB Parking Ticket Kiosk

IFB Facility Repairs Leeds Ave. 

Vehicle Wash System RFP 

AVL RFP //

Website Design and Redevelopment RFP//

Farebox Management System RFP//

CARTA RFP-Bus Shelter//

BCDCOG:

AVL RFP 

Media Inquiries

Media Contact

Matthew Spath
(843) 529-2715
matthews@bcdcog.com

CARTA is governed by eight member governments and by regulations of the Federal Transportation Authority. As such, the system has responsibility to consider any media requests and handle them as the system deems appropriate, on a case by case basis.

All media outlets should respect the rights of bus system users, drivers and other staff to use the system without disturbance.

The following policies and guidelines have been set in order for CARTA to effectively and quickly handle any media requests from documented media outlets and contact:

  • Requests to board any CARTA bus should be submitted no less than 48 business hours in advance of need.
  • When the request is to board a CARTA bus, a CARTA representative must be present. This is to aid in coordination of any interview and access needs in a timely and smooth manner.
  • Media must provide assignment details in writing or over the phone, including timing, focus of the story, interview needs (CARTA spokesperson, driver and/or passenger), if bringing a video or traditional camera, etc.
  • All media requests submitted to staff will be relayed to our Marketing and Communications department, on behalf of CARTA. Media outlets are welcome to contact Matthew Spath directly with any requests.
  • CARTA requests the opportunity to comment on any story that is filmed on or about CARTA buses or the transit system.

Filming / Photography

Your filming and photography projects, both large and small, are welcome on CARTA.

Charleston is a beautiful city and has become very popular for making programs and movies. CARTA providing the public transportation to the city is a vital part of the area and plays a strong role in it’s image. If you are not a professional photographer or filmmaker and want to know about taking your own pictures or video on CARTA, see our Photo & Video policy below.

How CARTA Works With You

  • CARTA vehicles can be rented for productions any time, except weekday rush hours (approx 6am-9am & 3pm – 6pm) or where restricted by CARTA. Any rental fees are for production purposes only. CARTA cannot operate charter services at any time.
  • CARTA buses travel throughout the Charleston and surrounding areas. Rentals start at a minimum of four hours which includes travel time to and from your production location. The Bus Operator’s labor cost is included in the rental rate. Supervisory personnel is needed for most productions.
  • Our fleet consist of over 100 buses, shuttles and Tele-A Ride vehicles. We recently purchased new buses and are in the process of acquiring additional new buses.

Props

We can provide your production with:

  • Bus stop signs
  • Public information signs
  • Maps, schedules, brochures and other CARTA publications
  • Farecard replicas

Support Crew

Appropriate personnel is required for support as follows:

  • Supervisory staff to accompany you and/or your crew whenever your project is scheduled
  • Specialized personnel can be hired as needed: Bus Operators, Customer Assistants, Laborers, etc.

Locations

Contact & Request Procedures:

  • Contact CARTA at least two weeks in advance at askcarta@ridecarta.com.
  • Email or fax a Letter of Intent with your script, storyboard or concept detailing how and when you want to use CARTA services. We will contact you within 24 hours of receipt.
  • A pre-production meeting will be held at CARTA offices with your organization and CARTA staff to discuss your plans and how we can accommodate them in compliance with CARTA’s regulations and safety requirements and FTA requirements.
  • Request made less than two weeks in advance are subject to postponement until adequate CARTA manpower is available.
  • Download the Filming and Photography Guide which includes requirements to film, insurance information and the request form.

Photo & Video Policy

  • The general public is permitted to use hand-held cameras to take photographs, capture digital images, and videotape within public areas of CARTA and transit vehicles for personal, non-commercial use.
  • Large cameras, photos or video equipment or ancillary equipment such as lighting, tripods, cables, etc. are prohibited (except in instances where commercial and professional photographers enter into contractual agreement with CARTA.
  • All photographers and videographers are prohibited from entering, photographing, or videotaping non-public areas of the CARTA transit system.
  • All photographers and videographers are prohibited from impeding customer traffic flow, obstructing transit operations, interfering with customers, blocking doors or stairs, and affecting the safety of CARTTA, its employees, or customers. All photographers and videographers must fully and immediately comply with any requests, directions, or instructions of CARTA personnel related to safety concerns.

Safety Tips

  • For everyone’s safety, do not use a camera’s flash if facing a person who is operating a train or bus.
  • Be respectful of others – CARTA customers and employees. –
  • Don’t stand (or cause others to stand) in the way of stairs, aisles, or doorways.
  • Be careful! Your safety is very important to us, so stay away from moving vehicles.
  • Be safe! Don’t inch backward with your camera to get a wider view – always look where you’re going.
  • While on CARTA premises, all photographers and videographers must comply with all applicable rules, including but not limited to, this policy, all applicable laws, ordinances, municipal regulations, standard operating procedures, administrative procedures and other CARTA policies. CARTA personnel may evaluate the actions of a photographer or a videographer, and if a determination is made that the actions of a photographer or videographer are not in compliance with any applicable rule, CARTA personnel may terminate the permission granted by this policy.

CARTA facilities and vehicles are for the exclusive use of the CARTA, its employees, and its customers. Any and all permission granted to photograph and videotape in connection with this policy is subordinate to CARTA’s obligations to its customers, employees and to the general public. Loitering at CARTA stations for extended periods for the purpose of taking photographs or video is prohibited.

For more information about the CARTA’s Photo and Video Policy, or to make arrangements for professional, commercial or other similar photograph and/or video activities, please contact the CARTA at askcarta@ridecarta.com or call (843) 724-7420.

Plan Your Trip
Transit App

Download “Transit” and travel like a true Charlestonian.

Available in the App Store and on Google Play, “Transit” offers numerous features to help you easily navigate around Charleston.

Bus Route: See vehicle locations in real time, find nearby stops, and receive stop announcements.

Service Alerts: Keep on top of schedule changes, stop relocations and other unexpected surprises.

Favorites: Always take the same bus? Move it to the top of the list by adding it to your favorites.

Timetables: View the full schedule for a route and set alarms to remind you to leave.

Countdowns: Get real-time predictions based on data from the transit agency.

“Go”: Get step-by-step transit directions and notifications about when to leave for your trip and when to get off the bus.

Plan a trip!: Compare trips side by side with your preferred transport modes selected.

View Transit 101

Download TransitApp from Google Play Store
Download TransitApp from Apple Store
TransitApp