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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.