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.

• Head to the nearest CARTA bus stop
• Call (843) 202-7904 to request pick up and provide the stop number/location, or
• Tell the next CARTA bus driver and they will have Transportation send a bus.
• A CARTA Tel-A-Ride bus will then transport citizens to the shelter.

If there are no CARTA stops near you, head to the nearest Blue Hurricane pick up sign. Service will begin today at noon – 7 p.m. tonight and operate tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. only if weather and wind conditions allow. Visit http://bit.ly/2pLFyGl for more details.

CARTA Hurricane Matthew Information

Due to the threat of inclement weather from Hurricane Michael, along with King tides this week, expect possible delays and detours in service, especially in the downtown area starting on Wednesday 10/10/18.

Any changes in service will be posted here, please check back periodically for updates.

Obstacle course at North Charleston Coliseum to provide stern test

If you think driving in Charleston traffic is hard, try doing it in a 40-foot bus. That’s what a quartet of notable Charlestonians will be tasked with when they join Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) drivers in the transit system’s annual Bus “Roadeo” at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the North Charleston Coliseum.

This year’s celebrity drivers are:

• Matt Lee of the Lee Bros. (Defending Champion)

• Leyla Gulen, Anchor/Host, FOX 24

• Charlie James, Radio Host, WTMA

• Jamee Haley, Executive Director, Lowcountry Local First

“Our drivers are highly skilled and this is a chance for them to showcase their talent,” said CARTA board of directors chairman Mike Seekings. “At the same time, the notable residents illustrate what a true challenge it is to operate these vehicles in an open parking lot, much less the crowded streets and highways of Charleston.”

Obstacle stations include: Offset Street, Right/Left Turn, Right/Left Reverse, Passenger Pickup, the ominous-sounding Serpentine, and crowd favorite Diminishing Clearance.

CARTA drivers will be competing for a berth in the statewide “Roadeo” in early 2019. For the non-pros, eternal glory is up for grabs. The event is open to the media and the public. The first buses roll at 8 a.m. in the North Charleston Coliseum E parking lot. Celebrity competition kicks off at 10 a.m.

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

• Hope for Healing Walk 2018 (Oct. 6, 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.): Start/Finish at Seacoast Church, 5505 N Rhett Ave, North Charleston with walk around the neighborhood (Routes 13 and 104).
• King Tides (Oct. 6-8, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.): Flooding in the usual areas (Routes 11 and 214).
• King Tides (Oct. 10-11, 7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.): Flooding in the usual areas (Routes 11 and 214).
• North Charleston High School Homecoming Parade (Oct. 12, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.): Start/Finish at North Charleston High School with walk around Park Circle.
• 2nd Sunday on King St. (Oct. 14, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.): King St. closed off from Calhoun St. to Queen St. (Route 211).
• North Charleston Harvest Festival (Oct. 20, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.): East Montague Ave. closed off from Jenkins Ave. to Virginia Ave. (Route 104).
• Coastal Carolina Fair (Oct. 25 – Nov. 4): Exchange Park Fairgrounds, 9850 US-78, Ladson, SC (Route 10).
• James Island Connector Run (Oct. 27, 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.): Calhoun St. closed off at Jonathon Lucas St. onto the James Island Connector (Routes 33 and 213).
• Making Strides of Charleston (Oct. 27, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.): Start/Finish at North Charleston Riverfront Park (Route 104).
• Riverland Terrace Halloween Party (Oct. 31, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.): Wappoo Dr. closed, use Maybank Hwy. (Route 31).

Win Big While Helping the Environment and Reducing Traffic

Lowcountry residents who trade in driving alone for a more sustainable commute could win tasty prizes in October. That’s when the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) Lowcountry Go commuter services program is sponsoring the first-ever LowGoTober challenge. The event, which takes place Oct. 22-26, is aimed at encouraging commuters to try sustainable options for traveling to and from work by way of carpool, vanpool, transit, bike, walk, or telecommuting.

Participating in LowGoTober is easy:

• Register with Lowcountry Go by visiting lowcountrygo.com or downloading the Lowcountry Go app on Apple or Android devices.

• Track trips each day (up to two, one-way trips daily) for a chance to win daily prizes. All trips must be logged by 8 a.m. the following day to be entered in daily drawings.

• Keep an eye on the live leader board at ridelowgo.com. The top LowGoTober challengers will be chosen at the end of the week for bigger prizes!

“The LowcountryGo program connects real commuters with real solutions, and now there is extra incentive to get started on a smarter commute,” said BCDCOG executive director Ron Mitchum. “The goal of this event is not just to encourage sustainable commuting, but to also cut down on overall traffic. We invite all residents to take the LowGoTober challenge during the week of Oct. 22-26 to help reduce congestion and be entered for great prizes.”

Prizes on offer as of Oct. 1, with list to be updated throughout the month:

• Gift cards:
  • Xiao Bao Biscuit ($50)
  • Harris Teeter
  • Whole Foods
  • Triangle Restaurant
  • Ye Olde Fashioned
• CARTA 30-day passes
• Gas cards

Businesses interested in offering incentives and anyone looking for further information should contact BCDCOG mobility manager Vonie Gilreath at vonieg@bcdcog.com.