The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) will offer free service to all riders on Christmas Day.

The annual promotion – offered system-wide Dec. 25 – is an opportunity for CARTA to give back to its riders during the holiday season.

“It’s our pleasure each year to help our riders make the most out of their holiday by offering free Christmas Day service as our gift to you,” CARTA Board Chairman Mike Seekings said. “On behalf of all of us here at CARTA, we’re wishing everyone a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.”

Please note: CARTA services operate on a Sunday schedule on Christmas Day.

Greetings CARTA Rider –

On behalf of the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) the Riley Center for Livable Communities at the College of Charleston is conducting a study on CARTA customer payment needs. Responses to this survey are anonymous and confidential and will help to inform CARTA of ways to improve the customer payment experience. It should take you no more than 5-7 minutes to complete this survey.  You can access this survey by clicking here, at the link below or by scanning the QR code below with your phone.  No personal information will be collected or shared through this survey and you are able to quit at any time.  Please feel free to share this link with other CARTA riders.  Thank you for your time and your feedback.

bit.ly/tokentransit

The entry period for CARTA’s annual holiday bike giveaway in partnership with Second Chance Bikes is now open and will run through 11:59 p.m., Monday, December 12, 2022.

To nominate yourself or a friend, send a direct message to CARTA via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram containing the name and phone number of the nominee. Five winners will be selected at random and contacted following the end of the entry period.

CARTA Board Chairman Mike Seekings will present the group of winners with their refurbished bikes during a giveaway event the morning of Dec. 16 at CARTA headquarters in North Charleston.

“Each year, we look forward to teaming up with the folks at Second Chance Bikes to host this giveaway for our riders,” Seekings said. “It’s a fun start to the holiday season and a great way to show our appreciation for those who use CARTA.”

Organizers want to hear from you. Click the image below or scan the QR code to complete the survey.

CARTA officials are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Nicole and its potential local impacts. Riders are encouraged to follow @RideCARTA on social media and check the website periodically for announcements regarding possible storm-related service adjustments. Announcements and alerts will also be posted on the Transit app and Google Transit.”

All U.S. armed services veterans and current military personnel can ride CARTA for free on Veterans Day, Friday, 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 Mike Seekings, the CARTA board chairman.

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.

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) will offer free rides to those making trips to the voting polls on Election Day, Nov. 8, to allow citizens to easily and efficiently access their polling location.

To receive fare-free service, riders are asked to communicate with their driver that they are traveling to or from their polling location.

Riders can locate their designated polling location by visiting scvotes.gov. The CARTA system map is available here.

“Turning out at the polls on Election Day is among our most critical civic duties, and we’re glad to play a small role in helping folks get there,” said Mike Seekings, CARTA Board of Directors Chairman. “I encourage folks to get out and vote next Tuesday, and to use CARTA to get there – free of charge.”

CARTA officials have announced a first-of-its-kind CARTA Clean-Up event hosted in partnership with Keep Charleston Beautiful. The event, scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2022, will take place along CARTA’s Route 20 and is part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to provide a positive experience for its riders.

Volunteers will assemble at the downtown Food Lion, located at 1015 King Street, where they will receive all necessary information and supplies. Members of the public are invited to participate in the clean-up effort and can sign up here.

“We at CARTA are always looking for new ways to improve our rider experience and connect with the people we serve, and this upcoming CARTA Clean-Up event will allow us to do just that,” said Mike Seekings, CARTA Board of Directors Chairman. “I hope that this event will be the first of many, and I look forward to seeing lots of friends, neighbors, and riders on the 5th.”

“At Keep Charleston Beautiful, we strive not only to beautify our local communities but to promote volunteerism and civic pride, so we’re excited to be partnering with CARTA on this upcoming event,” said Jamie Gillette, Keep Charleston Beautiful Program Manager. “And with the holiday season just around the corner, this is a great opportunity to join your community in giving back.”

Route 20, which stretches from Mount Pleasant to Chalmers Street in downtown Charleston, is one of CARTA’s longest running and most popular routes.

ABOUT CARTA

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority is a public transportation system dedicated to providing affordable transit in the Charleston community through local fixed routes, on-demand paratransit service and express commuter routes. For the latest on CARTA, visit ridecarta.com, like us on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @RideCARTA. All customers are encouraged to plan rides and track buses with the CARTA-endorsed Transit app.

ABOUT KEEP CHARLESTON BEAUTIFUL

Keep Charleston Beautiful is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and PalmettoPride, and works in collaboration with these national and state organizations to promote a clean and beautiful environment for all Americans. Keep Charleston Beautiful is a division of the City of Charleston Department of Parks.

Hurricane Ian- Update 4 – Final advisory

Service has resumed.  Expect some delays and possible detours on some routes.

Hurricane Ian- Update 3 -Saturday service to be determined

7pm (09.30.22) – Staff will be out surveying the area and road conditions Saturday morning to determine service levels and start times for Saturday service.  Riders can expect some if not all service to resume Saturday with some delays.  More information will be provided Saturday morning.

Hurricane Ian- Update 2 -Service adjustments

5pm (9.29.22) – CARTA will be suspending service early Thursday evening and all service will be suspended for Friday September 30, 2022.  CARTA officials will be monitoring conditions on Friday to determine service for Saturday, October 1st.  See official press release below for details:

 CARTA OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS RELATED TO HURRICANE IAN

SERVICE TO CONCLUDE EARLY THURSDAY EVENING, REMAIN SUSPENDED FRIDAY

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Sept. 29, 2022) – In light of current local weather predictions related to Hurricane Ian, CARTA service will conclude early Thursday evening (details below). All CARTA service is suspended Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 and may resume Saturday, weather permitting.

Due to the expected storm impacts, including high winds forecast to begin later this evening, CARTA officials have announced the following service adjustments for Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022:

• Rt. 10- Last bus leaves Mary St. @ 9:05pm; last bus leaves Health South @ 7:50pm
• Rt. 11- Last bus leaves Mary St. @ 7:09pm, last bus leaves Tanger @ 7:17pm
• Rt. 12- Last leaves Superstop @ 7:00; last bus leaves Otranto @ 7:30pm
• Rt. 13- Last bus leaves Tanger @ 7:10pm; last bus leaves Superstop @ 7:20pm
• Rt. 20- Last bus leaves Meeting and Broad @ 7:00pm
• Rt. 30- Last bus leaves Transit Mall @ 7:00pm; last bus leaves Citadel Mall to Transit Mall @ 6:45
• Rt. 40- Last bus leaves Mary Street @ 6:30pm to Mt. Pleasant
• Rt. 31- Last bus leaves Mary Street @ 6:45pm; last bus leaves Sol Legare @ 7:30pm
• Rt. 32- Last bus leaves Superstop @ 6:30pm, last bus leaves Citadel Mall @ 6:30pm
• Rt. 33- Last bus leaves Bilo @ 6:05; last bus leaves Mary Street @ 6:00pm
• Rt. 41- Last bus leaves Mary Street @ 6:00pm
• Rt.102- Last bus leaves Superstop @ 6:00pm; last bus leaves Ashley @ 6:38pm
• Rt. 104- Last bus leaves Superstop @ 7:00pm; last bus leaves Tanger @ 6:40pm
• Rt. 210- Last bus leaves Aquarium @ 6:23pm
• Rt. 211-Last bus leaves Visitors Center @ 6:35pm
• Rt. 213- Last bus leaves Mary Street @ 6:20pm
• Rt. 301- Last bus leaves Citadel Mall @ 6:35pm; last bus leaves Walmart @ 7:05pm
• Ex. 1- Run full schedule
• Ex. 2- Last bus leaves Jonathan Lucas to Mt. Pleasant @ 6:32pm; last bus to Citadel Mall @ 7:13pm
• Ex. 3- Run full schedule

For further information and future updates, please visit rideCARTA.com or follow @rideCARTA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Riders are also encouraged to download the “Transit” smartphone app for service change notifications.

ABOUT CARTA

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority is a public transportation system dedicated to providing affordable transit in the Charleston community through local fixed routes, on-demand paratransit service and express commuter routes. For the latest on CARTA, visit ridecarta.com, like us on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @RideCARTA. All customers are encouraged to plan rides and track buses with the CARTA-endorsed Transit app.

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MEDIA CONTACTS
Chloe Field, Account Manager

BGRM

(412) 477-5358

cfield@rawlemurdy.com

Daniel Brock, Regional Strategist

BCDCOG

(919) 820-2612

danielb@bcdcog.com 

—

Chloe Field

Account Manager, Public Relations and Social Media

M   412.477.5358

Hurricane Ian- Update 1

11am (9.29.22) CARTA officials continue to closely monitor Hurricane Ian.  We are encouraging all riders to take any trips to prepare for inclement weather and conduct all business as soon as possible today.

Riders should anticipate potential service delays, disruptions and possible service suspension as roads close and conditions deteriorate.  If operations are suspended, we will return to regular service on all routes as soon as it is safe to do so.  Riders please be on alert; this is a very fluid situation and changes can occur very quickly. Staff and officials will be working to get any information out regarding changes in service as quickly as possible. 

Riders are encouraged to follow us @RideCARTA on social media and check the website periodically for any announcements regarding any service changes.  Announcements and alerts will also be posted via the Transit app and Google Transit.  If you would like to receive alerts about service, simply select the routes you would like to receive alerts for in the Transit app.

Hurricane Ian – Inclement weather threat 9.28.22

12pm (9.28.22) – CARTA officials continue to closely monitor Hurricane Ian.  There may be some delays and potential service disruptions associated with the storm later in the week.  Riders are encouraged to follow us @RideCARTA on social media and check the website periodically for any announcements regarding any service changes.  Announcements and alerts will also be posted on the Transit app and Google Transit.

As part of its ongoing commitment to providing efficient, cost-effective service, while supporting regional sustainability goals, the CARTA Board of Directors recently voted to approve a Battery Electric Bus Master Plan & Roadmap that will guide the Authority’s efforts to gradually transition to a 100 percent battery-electric bus fleet for its fixed-route service.

Long having served residents and visitors of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, and with a service population of more than 548,000, CARTA and Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments leaders have worked diligently to modernize and replace the system’s nearly 100-vehicle fleet.

To date, that includes replacement of the entire DASH, Express, and Paratransit fleets – and a commitment to be fully electric by 2040.
Early in the process, it became clear that, in order to best ensure reliable service and system longevity, the existing diesel and gasoline-fuel buses needed to be replaced with an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly alternative.

CARTA received its first battery-electric bus in 2019 and currently operates six in revenue service, with 27 more on the way this year. The Master Plan, being executed in partnership with Dominion Energy, lays out a comprehensive approach to determining technology, power, and energy needs, as well as an overarching charging strategy and fleet management plan that will facilitate the transition to a fully battery-powered fleet.

CARTA Executive Director Ron Mitchum said, “It’s an honor to serve as public transportation leaders in the ever-growing zero-emission space, and we’re committed to seeing this effort through, not just for the benefit of our current and future riders, but for all those who live, work and play in the tri-county region. Put simply, the future of transportation is electric – and now our region has a plan to get there.”

Read the Battery Electric Bus Master Plan & Roadmap in full here, and keep an eye out as these new buses hit the road.