Information on fares, discounts for senior, disabled, low-income and student riders, plus deets on where to buy passes. That’s the ticket!
Note: Update 11/2019–Weekly passes for fixed route and Express routes NOW AVAILABLE.
For questions regarding eligibility and requirements, email askcarta@ridecarta.com or call (843) 724-7420.
Please note: CARTA does not replace or refund lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed passes. If you have questions or concerns regarding your pass purchase, please contact administration at (843) 724-7420.
Buy your passes anywhere anytime and use instantly! CARTA customers can now purchase individual trip and ride passes on their smartphones and use that digital pass to board the bus using the Token Transit app. The app also allows you to buy digital passes or tickets and send it directly to a smart phone of your choice. (App must be downloaded to use the digital ticket).
Downtown
Charleston Visitor Center
375 Meeting Street
Mon-Sun, 8:30am-5pm
(843) 724-7174
Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant Visitor Center
99 Harry M. Hallman Blvd
Mon – Sun, 9am-5pm
North Charleston
Main Office
3664 Leeds Ave.
Mon-Fri, 8:30am – 5pm
(843) 724-7420
North Charleston
SC Works Career Center
1930 Hanahan Road
Mon – Fri, 8:30am-5pm
(843) 574-1800
North Charleston
Piggly Wiggly
8780 Rivers Ave
Mon-Sun, 7am – 11pm
(843) 764-3039
Hanahan
Piggly Wiggly
1270 Yeamans Hall Rd
Mon-Sat, 7am-10pm
Sun, 8am-9pm
(843) 747-6373
Cash-Only Fares
Pricing
Children
Low-income fares are available to those who qualify. Qualified individuals will receive a CARTA ID that they will need to show when paying the discounted fare. Qualifications must be re-verified every 6 months to be eligible to use the discount fare. Low-Income tickets are available at CARTA Administrative offices and at The SC Works Charleston Career Center.
Low-Income fare and determinations are made at:
The SC Works Charleston Career Center
1930 Hanahan Road
North Charleston, SC 29406
Phone: (843) 574-1810
Phone: (843) 574-1800
ID cards are issued between the hours of 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday–Friday (Closed for lunch 12noon-1pm)
Regular fare information:
As of Monday, July 15, 2019, Seniors ride for a discounted fare (over 50% off regular prices) of $1 during all hours of service. Seniors are considered 55+.
Drivers may request proof of age. Medicare cards or I.D. card with date of birth will serve as identification for the fare.
Want to ride, but not sure how? Simply call (843) 724-7420 and let our operations staff pair you with a CARTA Ambassador! Learn the ropes and make a new friend. If you’re interested in becoming a CARTA Ambassador, or wish to be paired with one, please call (843) 724-7420 or email us at cruze@ridecarta.com.
Senior FREE Ride Day-Annual promotion to encourage seniors (55+) to learn about the system and as a thank you to our regular senior riders.
Every year CARTA has one day per quarter that seniors riders 55+ can ride all routes for free. This is the perfect opportunity to get some shopping done, visit friends or family or simply explore the city and our different routes. If you have any questions, please call (843) 724-7420 for more info.
Disabled Fare — Regular Fixed Routes: $0.75 per ride
To use the disabled fare, you must receive a Disabled Fare ID Card issued at the SC Works Charleston Career Center. Passengers with a Tel-A-Ride I.D. card can ride fixed-routes for free.
The SC Works Charleston Career Center
1930 Hanahan Road
North Charleston, SC 29406
Phone: (843) 574-1810
Phone: (843) 574-1800
Student passes allow unlimited use on all regular fixed routes and can be used on premium services like CARTA Express with an additional $1.00.
Student passes are available for student attended eligible institutions. For eligibility requirements, please call (843) 724-7420.
Students will be required to show a current school ID.
Passes can be purchased at the CARTA offices located at 3664 Leeds Ave. in North Charleston. Several institutions throughout the Charleston area work with CARTA to provide students with passes on campus.
Programs and cost vary for each institution. Passes are available on campus at the following:
For more information, please call (843) 724-7420.
Discounts may be available if you have a school group that would like to use CARTA for a field trip or area outing. Large groups should always contact CARTA administration offices to make sure that services are monitored to ensure an effective trip.
Here’s a few thing to keep in mind:
If you need trip planning assistance, please refer to our trip planner or call (843) 724-7420 to speak to administration.
**If your school would like to find out more about CARTA’s pass programs, contact us by email at askcarta@ridecarta.com or call (843) 724-7420.
As of Monday July 15, 2019 passengers will be allowed one transfer at no change. Transfers will be issued in the same manner; passengers will need to ask the driver for a transfer when they board the bus and pay their fare. Transfers can be made to another bus routed of the same type or same direction.
Transfers are not allowed from DASH Shuttles. Transfers between differing bus types are not allowed.
Transfers are timed and travel on all routes to complete your trip should be conducted during the time allotted on the transfer ticket.
Passengers will only be issued one transfer per trip. Passengers can not receive a transfer using a transfer.
Download “Transit” and travel like a true Charlestonian.
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.
