Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority: Difference between revisions
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| logo = CARTA bus stop logo.png |
| logo = CARTA bus stop logo.png |
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| logo_size = 150 |
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| image = File:CARTA NASH bus at event (13447860985).jpg |
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| image = |
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| image_caption = A NASH bus at an event in [[North Charleston, South Carolina|North Charleston]] |
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| company_slogan = |
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| parent = |
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| founded = |
| founded = 1997 |
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| defunct = |
| defunct = |
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| headquarters = |
| headquarters = 3664 Leeds Avenue<br />North Charleston, SC 29405 |
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| locale = |
| locale = |
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| service_area = [[Charleston County, South Carolina|Charleston County]] |
| service_area = [[Charleston County, South Carolina|Charleston County]]<br />[[Dorchester County, South Carolina|Dorchester County]] |
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| service_type = [[bus service]], [[ |
| service_type = [[bus service]], [[dial-a-bus]], [[express bus service]] |
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| alliance = |
| alliance = |
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| routes = 4 express routes<br />17 fixed routes<br />4 free shuttle routes |
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| routes = |
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| destinations = |
| destinations = |
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| stops = |
| stops = |
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| hubs = Charleston Visitors Center<br />[[North Charleston Intermodal Transportation Center]] |
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| hubs = |
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| stations = |
| stations = |
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| lounge = |
| lounge = |
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| fleet = |
| fleet = |
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| ridership = {{American transit ridership|SC Charleston total daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}} |
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| ridership = |
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| annual_ridership = {{American transit ridership|SC Charleston total annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}} |
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| fuel_type = |
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| fuel_type = diesel, electric |
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| operator = [[Veolia Transportation]] |
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| operator = [[Transdev]] |
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| ceo = |
| ceo = |
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| website = |
| website = {{URL|ridecarta.com}} |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA)''' provides area residents and visitors public transportation within parts of Charleston and Dorchester |
The '''Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA)''' provides area residents and visitors public transportation within parts of [[Charleston County, South Carolina|Charleston]] and [[Dorchester County, South Carolina|Dorchester]] counties in the [[Lowcountry]] region of [[South Carolina]], including the cities of [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]], [[North Charleston, South Carolina|North Charleston]] and the surrounding communities of [[Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina|Mount Pleasant]], [[Summerville, South Carolina|Summerville]], [[James Island, South Carolina|James Island]], [[Sullivan's Island, South Carolina|Sullivan's Island]], and the [[Isle of Palms, South Carolina|Isle of Palms]]. CARTA presently contracts with [[Transdev]] for staffing and managing the bus drivers in addition to maintaining and scheduling the buses. In {{American transit ridership|annualdate}}, the system had a ridership of {{American transit ridership|SC Charleston total annual}}, or about {{American transit ridership|SC Charleston total daily}} per weekday as of {{American transit ridership|dailydateasof}}. |
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CARTA began service in 1997 and operates seven days a week on each day of the year. In addition to its regular fixed routes, CARTA offers express commuter service on weekdays, a free area shuttle service in downtown Charleston, and Tel-A-Ride services for eligible residents. |
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==History== |
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The bus system in Charleston was operated by SCE&G until 1997, when the City of Charleston, City of North Charleston, Town of Mt. Pleasant and Charleston County joined together to create the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA). The transportation service provider explored many avenues to increase funding over the years but no source provided enough to keep CARTA from making substantial reductions in service. |
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== History == |
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In early November 2004, a half-cent sales tax referendum was passed (following one instance where it failed and another overturned), providing CARTA with the revenue to relaunch many of the services that were eliminated or consolidated due to insufficient funding. CARTA even added new routes and services throughout their rebuilding phases, as was the case with the launch of [[#CARTA Express]] in January 2007. |
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As with many communities across the United States, the Charleston region was served by streetcars and buses that were operated by electric companies. The bus system in Charleston was operated by [[South Carolina Electric & Gas Company|SCE&G]] until 1997. In 1978, the popular Downtown Area Shuttle or '''DASH''' service began with the help of a federal grant. DASH service continues to this day. During the 1980s, mass transit options in Charleston were reduced. An effort to create a regional transportation authority that would operate public transportation were defeated by voters in a referendum.<ref name="ridecarta.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ridecarta.com/about-carta/history |title=History | CARTA |access-date=2014-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006065448/http://www.ridecarta.com/about-carta/history |archive-date=2015-10-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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In 1997, after learning that SCE&G intended to cease operating buses, the City of Charleston, the City of North Charleston, the Town of Mt. Pleasant and Charleston County joined together to create the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA).<ref name="ridecarta.com" /> |
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Veolia Transportation, a private international transportation company, is responsible for staffing and managing the bus drivers, and maintaining and scheduling the buses. |
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From its inception, CARTA has been hampered by insufficient funding it claimed it required to operate effectively. The transportation service provider explored many avenues to increase funding over the years but no source provided enough to keep CARTA from making substantial reductions in service. CARTA was forced to cease most of its operations in January 2004 and relied on emergency funding from state and federal funding streams to keep it from being liquidated. In early November 2004, a half-cent sales tax referendum was passed (following one instance where it failed and another overturned), providing CARTA with the revenue to relaunch many of the services that were eliminated or consolidated due to insufficient funding. CARTA even added new routes and services throughout their rebuilding phases, as was the case with the launch of [[#CARTA Express]] in January 2007. On September 1, 2010, CARTA suffered a budget problem which stranded 22,443 passengers during the day and 40,500 passengers during the night.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/oct/18/carta-cuts-gut-wrenching/ |title=CARTA cuts 'gut-wrenching' {{!}} The Post and Courier, Charleston SC – News, Sports, Entertainment |website=www.postandcourier.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022001722/http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/oct/18/carta-cuts-gut-wrenching |archive-date=2010-10-22}}</ref> |
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On September 1, 2010 Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority suffered a budget problem which stranded 22,443 passengers during the day and 40,500 passengers during the night.<ref>http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/oct/18/carta-cuts-gut-wrenching/</ref> |
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Despite budgetary setbacks, CARTA ridership continues to increase and become more popular. In 2013, CARTA reported its busiest year of operations, with nearly five million riders for 2012 and a weekday average of over 15,000 riders. DASH service accounted for nearly 1.2 million rides in 2012.<ref>http://www.thedigitel.com/green/carta-2012-was-record-year-ridership-42072-0117 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304124004/http://www.thedigitel.com/green/carta-2012-was-record-year-ridership-42072-0117 |date=2014-03-04 }} CARTA: 2012 was a record year for ridership</ref> In late 2013, CARTA inaugurated its North Area Shuttle service (NASH) as a free circulator route to serve the North Charleston area, however this service was suspended in June 2014 due to low ridership. In February 2014, the NASH Express service was launched, creating an express route between [[Charleston International Airport]] and downtown Charleston. |
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== Services == |
== Services == |
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=== Fixed Route Services === |
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=== CARTA Express === |
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Fixed Route services much of the Charleston area by offering trips on 20 routes throughout the downtown, West Ashley and James Island neighborhoods of the City of Charleston, the City of North Charleston, the Towns of Mt. Pleasant and James Island with limited service on Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. |
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CARTA Express is a commuter-style service with limited stops from select locations in the region with service to or through downtown Charleston. CARTA Express buses are full-sized commuter-style buses with reclining, upholstered “airline-style” seats, reading lights and overhead luggage racks. Single door entry provides more room and beverages are allowed on board. The fare for any Express route is $3.50 per one-way ride; passengers can also purchase an Express Monthly Gold Pass for $88 which is good for any and all Express routes as well as all Fixed Route services. |
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*Route 10 –Rivers Avenue Limited |
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*Route 11 – Dorchester/Airport |
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As of February 2014, there are four active CARTA Express routes: |
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*Route 12 – Upper Dorchester/AFB |
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{|class="wikitable" |
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!Routers104 |
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!colspan=2|Terminals |
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!Stops |
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!Notes |
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|- |
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!1<br />North/South<br />Express |
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|'''[[North Charleston, South Carolina|North Charleston]]'''<br />T-Mobile |
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|'''[[James Island, South Carolina|James Island]]'''<br />Walmart/Folly Rd |
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|[[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]] |
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*Meeting St/Columbus St |
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*Visitors Center (Meeting St) |
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*[[College of Charleston|C of C]] (Calhoun St/St. Philip St) |
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*[[MUSC]]/Hospitals (Calhoun St/Jonathan Lucas St) |
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*Weekday (Monday-Friday) service only |
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*Terminals are [[park and ride]] locations |
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|- |
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!2<br />East/West<br />Express |
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|'''[[Mount Pleasant, South Carolina|Mount Pleasant]]'''<br />Walmart/Johnny Dodds Blvd |
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|'''[[West Ashley]]'''<br />[[Citadel Mall]] |
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|[[Mount Pleasant, South Carolina|Mount Pleasant]] |
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*Oakland Plantation Walmart |
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*Wando Crossing Walmart |
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[[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]] |
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*Meeting St/Columbus St |
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*Visitors Center (Meeting St) |
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*[[College of Charleston|C of C]] (Calhoun St/St. Philip St) |
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*[[MUSC]]/Hospitals (Calhoun St/Jonathan Lucas St) |
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*Weekday (Monday-Friday) service only |
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*Terminals and Kmart stop are [[park and ride]] locations |
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|- |
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!3<br />Dorchester Rd/<br />Downtown<br />Express |
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|'''[[Summerville, South Carolina|Summerville]]'''<br />Dorchester Village Shopping Center |
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|'''[[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]]'''<br />[[MUSC]]/Hospitals |
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|[[North Charleston, South Carolina|North Charleston]] |
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*[[Robert Bosch GmbH|Bosch Corp.]] |
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*[[Charleston Field|Joint Base Charleston]] |
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*[[Boeing South Carolina|Boeing]] |
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[[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]] |
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*Visitors Center (Meeting St) |
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*[[College of Charleston|C of C]] (Calhoun St/St. Philip St) |
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*Courtnay St/Bee St |
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*Weekday (Monday-Friday) service only |
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*Visitors Center and C of C stops are southbound only |
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*Courtnay St/Bee St stop is northbound only |
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|- |
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!4<br />NASH<br />Express |
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|'''[[North Charleston, South Carolina|North Charleston]]'''<br />[[Charleston International Airport]] |
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|'''[[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]]'''<br />Visitors Center |
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|[[North Charleston, South Carolina|North Charleston]] |
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*North Charleston Visitors Center (Centre Point Dr) |
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*Tanger Outlets (Centre Point Dr) |
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*Monday-Saturday service (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) |
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*Sunday service (noon to 7 p.m.) |
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|} |
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=== Fixed Route services === |
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CARTA offers fixed route services to much of the Charleston area by offering trips on select routes which run seven days a week, with limited services on Sundays and select holidays. Routes are serviced by large passenger buses complete with bench seating, two entrances, a wheelchair lift and a bike rack with space for two bikes on the front of each bus. Routes that are less heavily traveled may are sometimes serviced with [[minibus]]es. |
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'''Services to the north of downtown Charleston''' |
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*Route 10 – Rivers Avenue |
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*Route 11 – Dorchester/[[Charleston International Airport|Airport]] |
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*Route 12 – Upper Dorchester/[[Charleston Field|AFB]] |
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*Route 13 – Remount Road |
*Route 13 – Remount Road |
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*Route 20 – King Street/Citadel |
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'''Services within downtown Charleston''' |
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*Route 21 – Rutledge/Grove |
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*Route 7 – Hospitality on Peninsula (HOP) Shuttle (Temporarily suspended until further notice) |
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*Route 20 – King Street/[[The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina|Citadel]] |
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*Route 203 – Medical Shuttle (loop route) |
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*Route 204 – MUSC/Calhoun Circulator (Suspended February 2021) |
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'''Services to the west, south, and east of downtown Charleston''' |
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*Route 30 – Savannah Highway |
*Route 30 – Savannah Highway |
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*Route 31 – Folly Road |
*Route 31 – Folly Road |
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*Route 32 – North Bridge |
*Route 32 – North Bridge |
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*Route 33 – Ashley River Rd. |
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*Route 40 – Mt. Pleasant |
*Route 40 – Mt. Pleasant |
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*Route 41 – Coleman Boulevard |
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*Route 42 – Wando Circulator |
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*Route 301 – Glenn McConnell Connector |
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'''Services in other areas of the region''' |
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*Route 102 – North Neck |
*Route 102 – North Neck |
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*Route 103 – Leeds Avenue |
*Route 103 – Leeds Avenue |
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*Route 104 – Montague Avenue |
*Route 104 – Montague Avenue |
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*Route 201 – North Beltline |
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*Route 203 – Medical Shuttle |
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*Route 301 – St. Andrews |
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*Route 401 - East Cooper Connector |
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*Routes 402 – Sullivan’s Island/Isle of Palms Zone (interlined) |
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Regular adult bus fares are $2.00 per trip and transfers are FREE. Special fares are available for senior citizens, staff, faculty and students. Children aged six and younger ride for free when they are accompanied by a paying passenger. Students in grades K-12 ride free (school I.D. Cards are encouraged). |
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Routes are serviced by large passenger buses complete with bench seating, two entrances, a wheelchair lift and a bike rack with space for two bikes on the front of each bus.Some smaller neighborhood bus is serviced with mini bus. |
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Seniors aged 55 years and older pay $1.00 for Fixed Route and Express services Drivers may request proof of age (Medicare cards or an I.D. card with date of birth will be accepted). |
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Regular adult bus fares are $1.75 per trip and transfers (available at certain points) are $0.30. Special fares are available for senior citizens, staff, faculty and students.Children aged six and younger ride Fixed Route and DASH services for free when they are accompanied by a paying passenger. |
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Disabled patrons or passengers with a valid Tel-A-Ride I.D. card can ride Fixed Route services for free every day, all day. |
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Seniors aged 55 years and older pay $0.85 for Fixed Route services that run from Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and after 6:00 p.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday and Holidays (except those holidays that the Downtown Area Shuttle does not operate). Drivers may request proof of age (Medicare cards or an I.D. card with date of birth will be accepted). |
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=== DASH service === |
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Disabled patrons or passengers with a valid Tel-A-Ride I.D. card can ride Fixed Route services for $0.50 every day, all day. |
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The Downtown Area Shuttle (or DASH) service connects visitors to many key destinations throughout the downtown Charleston area. CARTA’s DASH service operates on three main routes to get passengers around downtown. |
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===CARTA Express=== |
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CARTA Express offers Charleston area residents a commuter-style service with limited stops from select hubs in North Charleston, West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant and James Island to stops throughout the downtown Charleston area. |
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CARTA Express is available each weekday during peak commuting times throughout the morning and evening hours. Downtown stops shared by the two routes include the intersections of Calhoun/Jonathan Lucas, Calhoun/St. Philip, Meeting/Columbus and the Visitor’s Center on John Street. |
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*Express 1 – North Charleston/James Island |
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*Express 2 – West Ashley/Mt. Pleasant |
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*Express 3 - Summerville/Charleston |
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Express buses are the newest addition to CARTA’s fleet and are full-sized commuter-style buses with reclining, upholstered “airline-style” seats, reading lights and overhead luggage racks. Single door entry provides more room and beverages are allowed on board. |
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The fare for any Express route is $3.00 per ride; passengers can also purchase an Express Monthly Gold Pass for $88 which is good for any and all Express routes as well as all Fixed Route services. |
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=== DASH === |
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The Downtown Area Shuttle (or DASH) service connects visitors to many key destinations throughout the downtown Charleston area. CARTA’s DASH service operates [[tourist trolley|trolley-replica bus]] on three main routes to get passengers around downtown. |
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*Route 210 – Aquarium/College of Charleston |
*Route 210 – Aquarium/College of Charleston |
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*Route 211 – Meeting/King |
*Route 211 – Meeting/King |
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*Route 213 – Lockwood/Calhoun |
*Route 213 – Lockwood/Calhoun |
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As of 2022, a ride on the DASH service is free. |
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As of October 31, 2012 a trolley ride on any DASH route is free. |
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=== CARTA Tel-A-Ride === |
=== CARTA Tel-A-Ride === |
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If passengers are unable to get to a bus, Tel-A-Ride comes to them within a defined Tel-A-Ride Service area. Curbside service is available for those who meet the requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act. |
If passengers are unable to get to a bus, Tel-A-Ride comes to them within a defined Tel-A-Ride Service area. Curbside service is available for those who meet the requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Smaller “neighborhood” buses are used for the CARTA Tel-A-Ride service offering both single-door entry and wheelchair accessibility. |
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Tel-A-Ride fares are $4.00 per trip. |
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Smaller “neighborhood” buses are used for the CARTA Tel-A-Ride service offering both single-door entry and wheelchair accessibility. |
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=== Defunct services === |
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Tel-A-Ride fares are $3.00 per trip. |
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CARTA@Night was implemented to take passengers to any stop within four designated “zones” after most regular bus service has ended. This service was discontinued in December 2010 due to budget problems. |
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CARTA@Night routes were serviced by the large passenger buses (found during the day on the [[#Fixed Route Services]]) and the smaller “neighborhood” buses (used daily for [[#CARTA Tel-A-Ride]] service operation). CARTA at Night was $2.00 and free with CARTA Express Monthly Gold Pass; all other pass holders were required to pay a $0.75 up charge. |
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Route 105, also known as the North Area Shuttle (or NASH) service connected visitors with attractions in North Charleston, including the "old town", the Tanger Outlet Center, the North Charleston Visitors Center, and the North Convention Center Complex, which includes the [[North Charleston Coliseum]] and the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. The service was cancelled in June 2014 due to low ridership.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20140717/PC16/140719396 |title=Lack of riders prompts CARTA to pull NASH bus from service – Post and Courier |website=www.postandcourier.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221105/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20140717/PC16/140719396 |archive-date=2016-03-03}}</ref> |
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=== Former CARTA at Night === |
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CARTA at Night was implemented to take passengers to any stop within four designated “zones” after most regular bus service has ended. This service was discontinued in December 2010 due to budget problems |
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. |
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CARTA at Night routes were serviced by the large passenger buses (found during the day on the [[#Fixed Route Services]]) and the smaller “neighborhood” buses (used daily for [[#CARTA Tel-A-Ride]] service operation). |
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CARTA at Night was $2.00 and free with CARTA Express Monthly Gold Pass; all other pass holders were required to pay a $0.75 up charge. |
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== North Charleston Intermodal Transportation Center == |
== North Charleston Intermodal Transportation Center == |
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After more than 15 years of planning, ground broke on the [[North Charleston Intermodal Transportation Center]] on September 5, 2007. The site will eventually serve as a transportation hub for amtrak passenger trains, commuter rail, Greyhound buses, CARTA buses, area taxis and shuttles used by the Charleston International Airport. |
After more than 15 years of planning, ground broke on the [[North Charleston Intermodal Transportation Center]] on September 5, 2007. The site will eventually serve as a transportation hub for amtrak passenger trains, commuter rail, Greyhound buses, CARTA buses, area taxis and shuttles used by the Charleston International Airport. |
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The facility will be located at the intersection of Montague Avenue and Seiberling Road in North Charleston and |
The facility will be located at the intersection of Montague Avenue and Seiberling Road in North Charleston and in close proximity to the airport, the coliseum and convention center and Tanger Outlet.<ref name="post1" /> Funding shortages caused delays in the project, however construction was completed and the transit center opened on December 13, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/50843-carta-to-move-forward-with-14-5m-intermodal-center |title = > Charleston Business Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews4.com/news/local/first-trains-roll-into-new-north-charleston-train-station |title = > ABC News 4}}</ref> |
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{{Empty section|date=September 2012}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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<ref name="post1">{{cite news |url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/oct/05/new-station-on-track/ |first=Prentiss |last=Findlay |work=[[Post and Courier]] |title=$6 million federal grant to help fund train, bus terminal in North Charleston |date=October 5, 2010 |accessdate=October 8, 2010}}</ref> |
<ref name="post1">{{cite news |url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/oct/05/new-station-on-track/ |first=Prentiss |last=Findlay |work=[[Post and Courier]] |title=$6 million federal grant to help fund train, bus terminal in North Charleston |date=October 5, 2010 |accessdate=October 8, 2010}}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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== External links == |
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*{{Commons category-inline|Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority}} |
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[[Category:Bus transportation in South Carolina]] |
[[Category:Bus transportation in South Carolina]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:18, 20 December 2024
 | |
.jpg) A NASH bus at an event in North Charleston | |
| Founded | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 3664 Leeds Avenue North Charleston, SC 29405 |
| Service area | Charleston County Dorchester County |
| Service type | bus service, dial-a-bus, express bus service |
| Routes | 4 express routes 17 fixed routes 4 free shuttle routes |
| Hubs | Charleston Visitors Center North Charleston Intermodal Transportation Center |
| Daily ridership | 7,900 (weekdays, Q3 2024)[1] |
| Annual ridership | 2,191,500 (2023)[2] |
| Fuel type | diesel, electric |
| Operator | Transdev |
| Website | ridecarta |
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) provides area residents and visitors public transportation within parts of Charleston and Dorchester counties in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina, including the cities of Charleston, North Charleston and the surrounding communities of Mount Pleasant, Summerville, James Island, Sullivan's Island, and the Isle of Palms. CARTA presently contracts with Transdev for staffing and managing the bus drivers in addition to maintaining and scheduling the buses. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 2,191,500, or about 7,900 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024.
CARTA began service in 1997 and operates seven days a week on each day of the year. In addition to its regular fixed routes, CARTA offers express commuter service on weekdays, a free area shuttle service in downtown Charleston, and Tel-A-Ride services for eligible residents.
History
[edit]As with many communities across the United States, the Charleston region was served by streetcars and buses that were operated by electric companies. The bus system in Charleston was operated by SCE&G until 1997. In 1978, the popular Downtown Area Shuttle or DASH service began with the help of a federal grant. DASH service continues to this day. During the 1980s, mass transit options in Charleston were reduced. An effort to create a regional transportation authority that would operate public transportation were defeated by voters in a referendum.[3]
In 1997, after learning that SCE&G intended to cease operating buses, the City of Charleston, the City of North Charleston, the Town of Mt. Pleasant and Charleston County joined together to create the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA).[3]
From its inception, CARTA has been hampered by insufficient funding it claimed it required to operate effectively. The transportation service provider explored many avenues to increase funding over the years but no source provided enough to keep CARTA from making substantial reductions in service. CARTA was forced to cease most of its operations in January 2004 and relied on emergency funding from state and federal funding streams to keep it from being liquidated. In early November 2004, a half-cent sales tax referendum was passed (following one instance where it failed and another overturned), providing CARTA with the revenue to relaunch many of the services that were eliminated or consolidated due to insufficient funding. CARTA even added new routes and services throughout their rebuilding phases, as was the case with the launch of #CARTA Express in January 2007. On September 1, 2010, CARTA suffered a budget problem which stranded 22,443 passengers during the day and 40,500 passengers during the night.[4]
Despite budgetary setbacks, CARTA ridership continues to increase and become more popular. In 2013, CARTA reported its busiest year of operations, with nearly five million riders for 2012 and a weekday average of over 15,000 riders. DASH service accounted for nearly 1.2 million rides in 2012.[5] In late 2013, CARTA inaugurated its North Area Shuttle service (NASH) as a free circulator route to serve the North Charleston area, however this service was suspended in June 2014 due to low ridership. In February 2014, the NASH Express service was launched, creating an express route between Charleston International Airport and downtown Charleston.
Services
[edit]CARTA Express
[edit]CARTA Express is a commuter-style service with limited stops from select locations in the region with service to or through downtown Charleston. CARTA Express buses are full-sized commuter-style buses with reclining, upholstered “airline-style” seats, reading lights and overhead luggage racks. Single door entry provides more room and beverages are allowed on board. The fare for any Express route is $3.50 per one-way ride; passengers can also purchase an Express Monthly Gold Pass for $88 which is good for any and all Express routes as well as all Fixed Route services.
As of February 2014, there are four active CARTA Express routes:
| Routers104 | Terminals | Stops | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 North/South Express |
North Charleston T-Mobile |
James Island Walmart/Folly Rd |
Charleston |
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| 2 East/West Express |
Mount Pleasant Walmart/Johnny Dodds Blvd |
West Ashley Citadel Mall |
Mount Pleasant
|
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| 3 Dorchester Rd/ Downtown Express |
Summerville Dorchester Village Shopping Center |
Charleston MUSC/Hospitals |
North Charleston
|
|
| 4 NASH Express |
North Charleston Charleston International Airport |
Charleston Visitors Center |
North Charleston
|
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Fixed Route services
[edit]CARTA offers fixed route services to much of the Charleston area by offering trips on select routes which run seven days a week, with limited services on Sundays and select holidays. Routes are serviced by large passenger buses complete with bench seating, two entrances, a wheelchair lift and a bike rack with space for two bikes on the front of each bus. Routes that are less heavily traveled may are sometimes serviced with minibuses.
Services to the north of downtown Charleston
- Route 10 – Rivers Avenue
- Route 11 – Dorchester/Airport
- Route 12 – Upper Dorchester/AFB
- Route 13 – Remount Road
Services within downtown Charleston
- Route 7 – Hospitality on Peninsula (HOP) Shuttle (Temporarily suspended until further notice)
- Route 20 – King Street/Citadel
- Route 203 – Medical Shuttle (loop route)
- Route 204 – MUSC/Calhoun Circulator (Suspended February 2021)
Services to the west, south, and east of downtown Charleston
- Route 30 – Savannah Highway
- Route 31 – Folly Road
- Route 32 – North Bridge
- Route 33 – Ashley River Rd.
- Route 40 – Mt. Pleasant
- Route 41 – Coleman Boulevard
- Route 42 – Wando Circulator
- Route 301 – Glenn McConnell Connector
Services in other areas of the region
- Route 102 – North Neck
- Route 103 – Leeds Avenue
- Route 104 – Montague Avenue
Regular adult bus fares are $2.00 per trip and transfers are FREE. Special fares are available for senior citizens, staff, faculty and students. Children aged six and younger ride for free when they are accompanied by a paying passenger. Students in grades K-12 ride free (school I.D. Cards are encouraged).
Seniors aged 55 years and older pay $1.00 for Fixed Route and Express services Drivers may request proof of age (Medicare cards or an I.D. card with date of birth will be accepted).
Disabled patrons or passengers with a valid Tel-A-Ride I.D. card can ride Fixed Route services for free every day, all day.
DASH service
[edit]The Downtown Area Shuttle (or DASH) service connects visitors to many key destinations throughout the downtown Charleston area. CARTA’s DASH service operates on three main routes to get passengers around downtown.
- Route 210 – Aquarium/College of Charleston
- Route 211 – Meeting/King
- Route 213 – Lockwood/Calhoun
As of 2022, a ride on the DASH service is free.
CARTA Tel-A-Ride
[edit]If passengers are unable to get to a bus, Tel-A-Ride comes to them within a defined Tel-A-Ride Service area. Curbside service is available for those who meet the requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Smaller “neighborhood” buses are used for the CARTA Tel-A-Ride service offering both single-door entry and wheelchair accessibility.
Tel-A-Ride fares are $4.00 per trip.
Defunct services
[edit]CARTA@Night was implemented to take passengers to any stop within four designated “zones” after most regular bus service has ended. This service was discontinued in December 2010 due to budget problems. CARTA@Night routes were serviced by the large passenger buses (found during the day on the #Fixed Route Services) and the smaller “neighborhood” buses (used daily for #CARTA Tel-A-Ride service operation). CARTA at Night was $2.00 and free with CARTA Express Monthly Gold Pass; all other pass holders were required to pay a $0.75 up charge.
Route 105, also known as the North Area Shuttle (or NASH) service connected visitors with attractions in North Charleston, including the "old town", the Tanger Outlet Center, the North Charleston Visitors Center, and the North Convention Center Complex, which includes the North Charleston Coliseum and the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. The service was cancelled in June 2014 due to low ridership.[6]
North Charleston Intermodal Transportation Center
[edit]After more than 15 years of planning, ground broke on the North Charleston Intermodal Transportation Center on September 5, 2007. The site will eventually serve as a transportation hub for amtrak passenger trains, commuter rail, Greyhound buses, CARTA buses, area taxis and shuttles used by the Charleston International Airport. The facility will be located at the intersection of Montague Avenue and Seiberling Road in North Charleston and in close proximity to the airport, the coliseum and convention center and Tanger Outlet.[7] Funding shortages caused delays in the project, however construction was completed and the transit center opened on December 13, 2018.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ a b "History | CARTA". Archived from the original on 2015-10-06. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
- ^ "CARTA cuts 'gut-wrenching' | The Post and Courier, Charleston SC – News, Sports, Entertainment". www.postandcourier.com. Archived from the original on 2010-10-22.
- ^ http://www.thedigitel.com/green/carta-2012-was-record-year-ridership-42072-0117 Archived 2014-03-04 at the Wayback Machine CARTA: 2012 was a record year for ridership
- ^ "Lack of riders prompts CARTA to pull NASH bus from service – Post and Courier". www.postandcourier.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
- ^ Findlay, Prentiss (October 5, 2010). "$6 million federal grant to help fund train, bus terminal in North Charleston". Post and Courier. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
- ^ "> Charleston Business Journal".
- ^ "> ABC News 4".
External links
[edit]
Media related to Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority at Wikimedia Commons
