New CARTA Routes & higher fares

In order to meet growing system demands and to continue to enhance the Charleston area’s public transportation system, beginning Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) will implement six route adjustments and a 20 percent increase in the price of fares and passes.

To keep up with ongoing changes throughout the Charleston area, CARTA staff and the CARTA board conduct regular performance assessments of all routes serving the area. Four area public hearings were also held to obtain public input on the recommended route changes, which range from the consolidation of routes to increased frequency on some routes. CARTA also conducted public hearings on the fare adjustments.

“CARTA continues to experience strong ridership increases across the system,” said Howard Chapman, executive director of CARTA. “Regular route performance analysis allows us to continue to provide a reliable and convenient service; meanwhile, it is our responsibility to perform ongoing route evaluation and make adjustments to keep up with the growing needs of our area.”

Route adjustments to go into effect Oct. 5 include:
- Route 101 – Spruill Avenue
- Frequency of the service will be increased to every 30 minutes (currently 60 minute intervals) to more effectively serve this growing area.
- Route 102 – North Neck
- A direct link to downtown Charleston will be added to better serve area communities.
- Route 106 – Otranto/Stall
- One bus will now service this route resulting in less frequent stops; bus will run every 2 hours except during peak morning hours (6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.).
- Route 202 – South Beltline
- All stops along the existing Route 202 – South Beltline route are already serviced by Route 201 North Beltline and other routes, eliminating the need for the route.
- Route 213 – Lockwood/Calhoun (new route)
- To provide service to this growing ridership area, this new DASH route will link the Citadel and Medical Centers to Express service and will also link hotels on Lockwood Drive with the Visitor’s Center.
- Route 302 – Orange Grove and Route 303 – Ashley River Road
- Routes 302 and 303 will be permanently interlined to make one single route; Route 302 will run every hour and eliminate travel on Highway 61 north of Muirfield Drive.

Also, to offset higher fuel prices, CARTA will implement a 20 percent increase to current fares and passes, effective Oct. 5. This adjustment increases rates such as the regular adult base fare from $1.25 to $1.50, Tel-A-Ride from $2.50 to $3.00, Express from $2.00 to $2.50.  Transfers will continue to be $.25. New rates for Flex routes and CARTA at Night will not take effect until January 2009 since they were increased to $2 in January 2008.

Existing and new riders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with all routes by visiting the CARTA website (http://www.ridecarta.com), the Visitors Center, or the CARTA office at 36 John Street downtown for copies of the new maps.