Fares & Passes

Passes are great if you ride regularly, prefer not to carry exact change, or are visiting and plan to use CARTA services to get around Charleston. Passes are accepted on all regular fixed route buses, while premium services like Express will require an up-charge. Weekly passes for fixed route and Express routes are 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.

Cash-Only Fares

• Fare boxes accept bills and coins
• Have exact change when boarding
• Drivers cannot provide change
• Visit FAQs for More Info

Pricing

• Fixed Route One-Way: $2.00/ride
• Express One-Way: $3.50/ride
• Transfers: No charge within two hours of the original trip

Children

• Regular routes and flex service free for children under 6
• Must be accompanied by a paying passenger
• Visit FAQs for More Info

Low-Income Fares

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: $1.25 per ride

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)

Senior Fares

CARTA takes you to most hospitals, libraries, grocery stores, shopping centers and service agencies throughout the Charleston area.

Regular fare information:

Seniors, age 55+ ride for a discounted fare of $1 during all hours of service.

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.

Senior FREE Ride Days – 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 senior 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.

2026 Dates:

• February 16 — Senior Independence Month
• May 27 — National Senior Health & Fitness Day
• August 21 — National Senior Citizen Day
• December 18 — Happy Holidays

Disabled Fare — Regular Fixed Routes

A discount fare is available to individuals with disabilities and can be used on all Fixed Routes, all day, every day. 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

Schools & School Groups

All K-12 students ride for free in the CARTA service area. Students should have an official current student ID with their name and the school’s name to present to the driver as they board the bus (all High School students should have a school issued ID). Please check back periodically for any changes to the policy.

Best Value Pass

Student passes are valid for an entire semester (6 months-period), all for only $80 per semester. 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:

• Trident Technical College
• Miller Motte Technical College
• Charleston Southern University

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 things to keep in mind:

• An existing route must be used.
• CARTA can not come to your location or detour from regular route service for your trip.
• Please plan your trip along regular route lines and regular route times.

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 charge. 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 route 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.