Please click on the following link to view current Invitation to Bid Melnick Park and Ride Facility

SYSTEM WANTS TO HELP RIDERS WITH THE FIRST-MILE/LAST-MILE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Many public transit trips begin with a walk or bike ride, and this holiday season the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) wants to help riders overcome what’s been dubbed the first-mile/last-mile problem – and also spread some Christmas cheer.

CARTA has again partnered with Affordabike to refurbish 15 lost-and-found bicycles and give them away to riders in order to help them navigate walks of more than a quarter mile to their stop or final destination. A quarter-mile is roughly the maximum distance most people find “comfortable” to walk to a stop.

Riders who could use two new wheels – or individuals who know someone who fits the bill – can submit requests/nominations through Dec. 17 by:

• Messaging the CARTA Facebook account
• Tagging @RideCARTA on Twitter
• Emailing memerson@ridecarta.com

All CARTA buses, except free DASH shuttles, are equipped with bike racks as part of the system’s no-cost and easy-to-use Rack and Ride program.

Recipients of the Christmas bike giveaway will be selected by CARTA staff. Bikes will be available for collection from the CARTA facility at 3664 Leeds Ave. in North Charleston Dec. 17-19.

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) will provide free transportation this evening, Wednesday, Dec. 5, to the Charleston County warming shelter located at the 3765 Leeds Ave. in North Charleston.

Those seeking shelter in downtown Charleston should wait at a Route 10 Rivers Avenue or Route 11 Dorchester Road/Airport bus stop and inform the driver that they wish to travel to the shelter. Passengers will be transported to the North Charleston SuperStop at Rivers and Cosgrove avenues, where they will transfer to Route 103 Leeds Avenue, which serves the warming shelter located in the Coastal Pre-Release Center.

In North Charleston, riders seeking shelter should let drivers know their desired destination when boarding in order to be transported to the shelter.

THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF THE SYSTEMS’ SENIOR SERIES

Individuals over the age of 55 will be able to access Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and TriCounty Link services for free on Sunday, Dec. 9. The perk is part of both systems’ quarterly Senior Series, which encourages seniors to ride transit free of charge.

“Seniors are a vital and growing part of our community, and it’s important that we help keep them mobile, active and independent,” said CARTA board of directors chairman Mike Seekings.

“The Senior Series is a great opportunity for seniors to ride the bus at no charge, whether they’re an every-day customer or it’s their first time,” said TriCounty Link board of directors chairwoman Anna Johnson.

Participating riders are asked to bring ID when boarding. Travel training tips are available by emailing cruze@ridecarta.com. Information on CARTA routes and schedules is available at www.ridecarta.com or by calling (843) 724-7420. Information on TriCounty Link routes and schedules is available at www.ridetricountylink.com or by calling (843) 899-4096.

The following service impacts will occur due to special events and inclement weather throughout the Lowcountry region during the month of December:

• Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 1, 2019, James Island County Park Festival of Lights: Daily at 5:30 p.m. (Rt. 31)
• Dec. 8, 2018, North Charleston Christmas Fest & Parade at Park Circle: Parade participants line up at Lackawanna Blvd. and Mixson Ave. to E. Montague Ave., 2 p.m. Parade route from E Montague Ave. to Park Circle and back to line-up area, re-opens at 7 p.m. Park Circle traffic closed 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Rt. 13, 104)
• Dec. 8, 2018, Reindeer Run 5k Run/Walk: East Bay St. to Broad St. and onto the Battery, 9 a.m. (Rt. 7, 20, 211)
• Dec. 9, 2018, 2nd Sunday on King St.: Downtown Charleston (Rt. 211)
• Dec. 9, 2018, Mt. Pleasant Christmas Light Parade: Coleman Blvd., 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Rt. 40)
• Dec. 16, 2018, City of Charleston Holiday Parade: Broad St. to King St., finishing on Calhoun St. at Anson St., 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Rt. 7, 20, 33, 210, 211, 213)
• Dec. 23-24, 2018, Highest Tides: Flooding in the usual areas, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. (Rt. 11, 213)
• Jan. 12, 2019, Charleston Marathon: Race begins at Joe Riley Stadium – finishes on Jenkins Ave. in front of North Charleston High School, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Rt. 10, 11, 13, 20, 30, 31, 33, 102, 104, 210, 211, 213)
• Jan. 12, 2019, Charleston Shrimp & Grits 5K: East Montague Ave., Turnbull Ave., Virginia Ave., and various Park Circle roads, 8 a.m. (Rt. 13, 104)
• Jan. 12, 2019, Charleston Youth Marathon: Noisette Blvd. and Turnbull Ave., 1:30 p.m. (Rt. 104)

All U.S. armed services veterans and current military personnel can ride Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and TriCounty Link services for free on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11.

“Veterans and military personnel make great sacrifices for our country. Allowing them to ride for free on Veterans Day is one small way CARTA and TriCounty Link can say thank you,” said CARTA board chairman Mike Seekings.

A military ID, service photo, a memento – such as a veterans cap or other similar items – will be enough to get veterans and current military on board at no cost.

Lowcountry residents can roll to the polls at no cost

Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) service will be free on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, the transit agency announced today.

“We want all eligible voters in the Lowcountry to have access to one of our country’s fundamental rights, without having to overcome mobility or economic barriers,” said CARTA board of directors chairman Mike Seekings.

For more information on routes and schedules, visit RideCARTA.com, now featuring a live chat option, or call (843) 724-7420.

Town funded construction of the new structure

Charleston Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and Town of James Island officials today cut the ribbon on the transit system’s newest shelter at the intersection of Camp Road and Folly Road.

The Town funded the $32,000 shelter, built on land provided by Walgreens. The structure was part of the Charleston County-led Camp Road at Folly Road Intersection Improvement Project.

“This is an excellent example of partnership among multiple government agencies and the private sector,” said CARTA board of directors chairman Mike Seekings. “The CARTA board thanks to the Town of James Island for funding the shelter, Walgreens for providing the necessary easement and Charleston County for their role in the project.”

“The Town recognizes the importance of public transit on James Island and placing a shelter at this important intersection made sense,” James Island Mayor Bill Woolsey said. “We also hope to find further ways to partner with CARTA in the future.”

The ribbon cutting comes ahead of a public meeting next week to discuss possible service changes on James Island that potentially include shorter headways and more trips per day. The meeting will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Oct. 29 at St. James Presbyterian Church, 1314 Secessionville Road.

Elsewhere in the system, CARTA is in the midst of constructing more than 60 shelters this fall.

Obstacle course at North Charleston Coliseum provided stern test.

Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) bus drivers today competed alongside notable Charlestonians in a variety of challenges at the transit system’s annual Bus “Roadeo.” The event, held at the North Charleston Coliseum, once again showcased the talent of CARTA drivers, both via their skills and the efforts of the non-pros.

This year’s winners are:

• Winner (40ft): Quincin Hamilton
• Winner (35ft): Sonya Jackson
• Winner (Paratransit): Maritza Simon
• Celebrity Winner: Matt Lee of the Lee Bros.

“Our drivers displayed their incredible bus operating skills, just like they do every day on the streets and highways of the Charleston region,” said CARTA board of directors chairman Mike Seekings. “We are proud of these truly talented individuals and thankful for the service they provide to the community.”

Obstacle stations included: Offset Street, Right/Left Turn, Right/Left Reverse, Passenger Pickup, the ominous-sounding Serpentine and crowd favorite Diminishing Clearance. CARTA drivers were competing for a berth in the statewide “Roadeo” in early 2019, while celebrities chased eternal glory.