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Public Hearing Notice: Route 204

Route/Service Modifications-Route 204

The public is hereby advised that The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) will hold a public hearing to provide final information and public comments regarding the elimination of Route 204.  Interested parties are invited to attend the hearing and express their views. 

A new pilot on-demand program will be launched in February 2021 that will provide service to the area currently served by Rt. 204.

The Hearing will take place:

  • Date: February 16, 2021                   
  • Time: 10am – 11am
  • Location:

Virtual meeting – Due to the COVID risk, this meeting will be held virtually. 

  • Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86235283049
  • Meeting ID: 862 3528 3049 
  • Call in #: (929) 205-6099 (meeting ID number will be required) the day of the meeting to participate.

On location– For those who are unable to attend virtually, staff will also be on site at BCDCOG 5790 Casper Padgett Way, North Charleston at the time listed above to provide information and answer questions in person.

Individuals can also submit comments and questions prior to the meeting to serviceplanning@bcdcog.com and include Rt. 204 in the subject line.

Visit RideCARTA.COM FOR MORE INFO OR PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE (843) 724-7420 MENU OPTION 1 or (843) 529-0400

Public Meeting Notice: Rt. 204 Service Changes

The public is hereby advised that The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) will hold a public meeting to provide information regarding the elimination of Route 204 in early March due to underperformance/low ridership over an extended period of time. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information and to receive public comments. 

A new pilot on-demand program will be launched in February 2021 that will provide service to the area currently served by Rt. 204.   

The public is invited to the following meeting:

  • Date: January 28, 2021
  • Time: 10am – 12pm
  • Location: Charleston Visitor Center (Camden Room)

Virtual Meeting – Due to COVID risk, this meeting will be held virtually. Click the following link to attend virtually on the date and time listed above. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81887554427 or call in (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 818 8755 4427

On location – For those who are unable to attend virtually, staff will also be available on site at the location above to provide information and answer questions in person.

Visit RideCARTA.COM FOR MORE INFO OR PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE — 724-7420 MENU OPTION 1

RFQ: Electric Bus Master Plan

As CARTA moves toward an all-electric fleet, there is an outstanding need for comprehensive planning that improves the overall performance of the network. These efforts include a need for research and development of plans to transition to an all-electric fleet. As such, CARTA is seeking qualified firms to lead the development of an Electric Bus Master Plan to support CARTA’s Fleet Modernization Project.

Download the RFQ document here.

Free Warming Shelter Service Nov. 30, Dec. 1

CARTA will provide complimentary transportation within its service area to the Arthur W. Christopher Recreation Center warming shelter located at 265 Fishburne Street on Monday, Nov. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 1.

  • When boarding, riders should inform drivers they would like to go to the warming shelter.
  • Riders will be taken to the Mary Street transit hub (if boarding a route that services Mary Street) or to a connection point with a route that services Mary Street.
  • From Mary Street, Route 213 Lockwood/Calhoun will transport riders to the shelter.
  • The last departure from Mary Street will occur at 9:20 p.m. each night.

CARTA Approves Free Student Fare Program

The Charleston Area Transportation Authority (CARTA) Board of Directors voted last week to implement a permanent policy allowing students in grades K-12 to ride at no cost as part of the system’s Free Student Fare initiative.

The fare structure had previously been in place as a pilot program since early 2019 and has seen monthly ridership surpass 7,000.

“The Free Student Fare initiative permanently eliminates a mobility barrier for students, sets the stage for the next generation of transit ridership and offers relief to parents whose children ride CARTA,” said CARTA Board of Directors Chairman Mike Seekings. “Getting to school, recreational activities or a part-time job is easier than ever for students and making those connections for free today allows kids to get comfortable with public transit.”

The Free Student Fare program is available to all public and private school students and applies to all CARTA services. Children under 5 also ride for free. Student IDs are recommended when boarding. 

CARTA buses can be tracked in real-time by downloading the Transit App. Trips can be planned and details on CARTA routes and services can be found at RideCARTA.com. Questions regarding the program should be directed to CARTA marketing and communications manager Michelle Emerson, who can be reached at memerson@bcdcog.com or (843) 529-0333.

CARTA Announces Shuttle Service to IOP

September 16, 2020

New Beach Shuttle to Initially Run Through Oct. 18

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) Board of Directors voted today to approve shuttle service to the Isle of Palms.

The pilot CARTA Beach Shuttle will be free of charge to riders and run on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Service will begin this Saturday and end Sunday, Oct. 18. 

“The CARTA Beach Shuttle is an opportunity to provide an additional connection to our region’s beaches,” said CARTA Board of Directors Chairman Mike Seekings. “Over the next month, we’ll observe how the route functions and use what we learn to map out a long-term strategy that will provide benefit to residents throughout the region.”

The CARTA Beach Shuttle will depart hourly from the Charleston County East Cooper Service Center in Mount Pleasant at 1189 Sweetgrass Basket Parkway, then stop at 14th Ave. at Ocean Blvd. and Palm Blvd at 28th Ave. on the Isle of Palms before making its way back to Mount Pleasant.

Route information and bus tracking will be available in the Transit App, which can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.

“By partnering with the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments and CARTA, the City of Isle of Palms is leveraging organizations that have already begun collaborating with multiple entities to put in place a quality transportation solution in a timely manner,” said Isle of Palms City Councilman Phillip Pounds. “Our hope is to bring a solution to the Lowcountry that allows all to enjoy the beaches without creating the parking and congestion issues on the island that we have seen in the past.”

Shuttle Policies

  • Masks or face coverings required at all times while on board.
  • Riders are allowed to bring a maximum of four regular shopping bags or small packages or parcels. Riders must be able to carry items on and off the vehicle safely and be able to control all items during the operation of the vehicle.
  • Items must not obstruct the aisle, interfere with the operation of the vehicle or prevent seats from being used by other passengers.  
  • Packages must be able to be held by riders or stowed safely under the seat.
  • Large items (umbrellas, surfboards, beach wagons, etc.) are not permitted at this time. Umbrellas and chairs are available to rent on the beach. Chairs are allowed as long as they adhere to regulations listed above.
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

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