News & Announcements

MARKS COMPLETION OF FIRST PHASE OF LARGE-SCALE AMENITY EFFORT

 CHARLESTON, S.C. (Feb. 19, 2019) – Today, the Charleston Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) cut the ribbon on a new solar-powered shelter at the corner of Dorchester Road and Purcell Drive in North Charleston. The event marked the final installation in the first stage of a large-scale shelter and bench project for the transit system.

Funding for eight shelters and 12 benches along the Dorchester and Ashley Phosphate Road corridors was made available via a $100,000 allocation facilitated by CARTA board member and former North Charleston City Councilmember Ed Astle when he still served on Council. CARTA staff leveraged the funds to obtain federal grants.

“This area has long needed additional transit amenities, and I’m happy to play an instrumental role, along with CARTA staff, in helping to make that happen,” Astle said.

The perforated steel shelters are equipped with solar batteries that keep them illuminated at night. Their design allows for airflow on hot Lowcountry days.

“These shelters are located in the heart of our service area and will be used by riders going to work, visiting the doctor and making trips to get food,” said CARTA board chairman Mike Seekings. “Now those trips are going to be well-lit, a little easier and a lot more convenient.”

CARTA will continue with installations throughout its service area. More than 60 shelters and 40 benches will be installed as part of the program.

Release PDF

All routes will operate on a Holiday (Sunday) schedule on MLK Day – Monday January 21, 2019.  Express buses will not operate.

On Saturday, January 12, 2019 multiple routes will be on detour due to road closures related to Marathons in the area.  Impacted routes include: Routes 10, 11, 13, 20, 30, 31, 33, 102, 104, 210, 211, and 213.  Please click the link below to view detour details.  

Effective 1/12/19-Marathon Related Detours 

On Sunday, Jan. 6, CARTA will make modifications to Route 31 Folly Road and Express Rt. 4Airport Express to increase efficiency.

In addition to the schedule modifications, boarding activities at Transit Mall downtown will be modified.  Starting on 1/6/19 Transit Mall will become a “deboarding only” stop meaning passengers should only deboard the bus at Transit Mall.

Passengers who attempt to board at Transit Mall will be required to pay two fares in order to continue their trip past Meeting and Mary, which is the official beginning and end of the line.

A summary of changes the routes schedules can be found at ridecarta.com/2019RouteChanges.

As a reminder, CARTA will operate on the following holiday schedule:

• Monday, 12/24/18 – (Sunday schedule)
• Tuesday, 12/25/18 – Sunday schedule and no DASH service
• Wednesday, 12/26/18 – Regular weekday schedule No Express service
• Tuesday, 1/1/19 – Sunday schedule and no DASH service

To view a full list of all CARTA observed holidays, please click:  CARTA Holiday Service

Please click on the following link to view current Invitation to Bid Melnick Park and Ride Facility

SYSTEM WANTS TO HELP RIDERS WITH THE FIRST-MILE/LAST-MILE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Many public transit trips begin with a walk or bike ride, and this holiday season the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) wants to help riders overcome what’s been dubbed the first-mile/last-mile problem – and also spread some Christmas cheer.

CARTA has again partnered with Affordabike to refurbish 15 lost-and-found bicycles and give them away to riders in order to help them navigate walks of more than a quarter mile to their stop or final destination. A quarter-mile is roughly the maximum distance most people find “comfortable” to walk to a stop.

Riders who could use two new wheels – or individuals who know someone who fits the bill – can submit requests/nominations through Dec. 17 by:

• Messaging the CARTA Facebook account
• Tagging @RideCARTA on Twitter
• Emailing memerson@ridecarta.com

All CARTA buses, except free DASH shuttles, are equipped with bike racks as part of the system’s no-cost and easy-to-use Rack and Ride program.

Recipients of the Christmas bike giveaway will be selected by CARTA staff. Bikes will be available for collection from the CARTA facility at 3664 Leeds Ave. in North Charleston Dec. 17-19.

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) will provide free transportation this evening, Wednesday, Dec. 5, to the Charleston County warming shelter located at the 3765 Leeds Ave. in North Charleston.

Those seeking shelter in downtown Charleston should wait at a Route 10 Rivers Avenue or Route 11 Dorchester Road/Airport bus stop and inform the driver that they wish to travel to the shelter. Passengers will be transported to the North Charleston SuperStop at Rivers and Cosgrove avenues, where they will transfer to Route 103 Leeds Avenue, which serves the warming shelter located in the Coastal Pre-Release Center.

In North Charleston, riders seeking shelter should let drivers know their desired destination when boarding in order to be transported to the shelter.

THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF THE SYSTEMS’ SENIOR SERIES

Individuals over the age of 55 will be able to access Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and TriCounty Link services for free on Sunday, Dec. 9. The perk is part of both systems’ quarterly Senior Series, which encourages seniors to ride transit free of charge.

“Seniors are a vital and growing part of our community, and it’s important that we help keep them mobile, active and independent,” said CARTA board of directors chairman Mike Seekings.

“The Senior Series is a great opportunity for seniors to ride the bus at no charge, whether they’re an every-day customer or it’s their first time,” said TriCounty Link board of directors chairwoman Anna Johnson.

Participating riders are asked to bring ID when boarding. Travel training tips are available by emailing cruze@ridecarta.com. Information on CARTA routes and schedules is available at www.ridecarta.com or by calling (843) 724-7420. Information on TriCounty Link routes and schedules is available at www.ridetricountylink.com or by calling (843) 899-4096.

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

• Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 1, 2019, James Island County Park Festival of Lights: Daily at 5:30 p.m. (Rt. 31)
• Dec. 8, 2018, North Charleston Christmas Fest & Parade at Park Circle: Parade participants line up at Lackawanna Blvd. and Mixson Ave. to E. Montague Ave., 2 p.m. Parade route from E Montague Ave. to Park Circle and back to line-up area, re-opens at 7 p.m. Park Circle traffic closed 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Rt. 13, 104)
• Dec. 8, 2018, Reindeer Run 5k Run/Walk: East Bay St. to Broad St. and onto the Battery, 9 a.m. (Rt. 7, 20, 211)
• Dec. 9, 2018, 2nd Sunday on King St.: Downtown Charleston (Rt. 211)
• Dec. 9, 2018, Mt. Pleasant Christmas Light Parade: Coleman Blvd., 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Rt. 40)
• Dec. 16, 2018, City of Charleston Holiday Parade: Broad St. to King St., finishing on Calhoun St. at Anson St., 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Rt. 7, 20, 33, 210, 211, 213)
• Dec. 23-24, 2018, Highest Tides: Flooding in the usual areas, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. (Rt. 11, 213)
• Jan. 12, 2019, Charleston Marathon: Race begins at Joe Riley Stadium – finishes on Jenkins Ave. in front of North Charleston High School, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Rt. 10, 11, 13, 20, 30, 31, 33, 102, 104, 210, 211, 213)
• Jan. 12, 2019, Charleston Shrimp & Grits 5K: East Montague Ave., Turnbull Ave., Virginia Ave., and various Park Circle roads, 8 a.m. (Rt. 13, 104)
• Jan. 12, 2019, Charleston Youth Marathon: Noisette Blvd. and Turnbull Ave., 1:30 p.m. (Rt. 104)