Q:
Where can I find the nearest bus stop?
Under the "Routes" section of our site (top left of the page), you'll find a route index and a bus stop index. Clicking either one will take you to a wealth of information on all of our available routes.
The bus stop index lists all bus stop locations by name. Clicking on a bus stop will show you which route(s) service your area.
Q:
Do CARTA buses have bicycle racks?
Yes! Now you can get everywhere you want to go around the Charleston area, AND take your bike with you! Just pedal to the bus stop nearest you and CARTA will be there to pick you up with your bike.
Rack and ride facts:
* Available on all CARTA buses except CARTA Trolleys and Tel-A-Ride buses
* Each rack holds 2 bikes at a time
* Easy to use: 10 seconds to load
* Accommodates most single-rider bicycles, including children’s and all-terrain bikes
* No charge
* CARTA is not responsible for damages to or caused by bikes on CARTA properly or vehicles
To learn more about Rack & Ride, please click on the "Rack & Ride" link under "Services."
Q:
How much does it cost to ride?
The Regular Fare is $1.50 for the Metro Buses and Downtown Area Shuttles.
Low Income Discount Fares of $0.60 are also available for those who qualify. The Low Income Fare determination is located at the Trident One Stop Career Center located at 1930 Hanahan Road, North Charleston, SC 29406. The phone number is 843-574-1810. Low Income Discount Fare ID Cards are issues between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Children aged six (6) and under ride free when a paying passenger accompanies them. School groups should call ahead for fare information at 843-724-7420.
Seniors 55+ only pay $0.60 for the Downtown Area Shuttle and Metro Bus Service Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and after 6:00 p.m., 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 serve as identification for the fare. Disabled patrons ride for $0.30 all day, every day. Patrons with a valid Tel-A-Ride I.D. card can ride for $0.40.
The following passes are available:
$12.00 for 10 trips
$42.00 for 40 trips
$60.00 for students per semester
$5.00 for all day (available onboard all CARTA vehicles)
$11.00 for three days
$37.50 for 31 days
$76.-- for 31 days Express pass
All passes are valid for both Downtown Area Shuttles and Metro Service. Where to Buy Bus Passes Bus passes can be purchased at the Visitor Reception and Transportation Center (375 Meeting Street), and various Piggly Wiggly stores within CARTA’s service area. Or, call in your order at (843) 724-7304.
Q:
How often do buses come by my stop?
With more routes and more buses than ever, we're able to offer shorter wait times between bus visits. For a listing of stop times, please visit our Route Index and click on the route you're interested in learning about.
Q:
What is a "flex-route"?
The "flex-route" transports passengers within a designated "zone" to any other point within the zone. "Flex-routes" operate as a demand-response service, and the route traveled by the flex-route varies from trip to trip.
Q:
What is Tel-A-Ride?
Tel-A-Ride is a specialized curb-to-curb transportation service that is available to persons with disabilities who are unable to use the local public bus service. Tel-A-Ride is a shared-ride service, which means that passengers share the vehicle with others traveling in the same direction at the same time. All Tel-A-Ride vehicles are wheelchair lift-equipped.
Q:
Who is eligible for Tel-A-Ride?
In order to be eligible for Tel-A-Ride, you must have a specific impairment which restricts your mobility. Persons who cannot use public transit vehicles, person who cannot travel without assistance, and persons with mobility impairments that prevent them from traveling to or from a bus stop are all examples of eligible applicants. Persons interested in applying for Tel-A-Ride may call 843.724.7420, extension 3, to request an application.
Q:
What is curb-to-curb service?
Curb-to-curb service means that it is the rider’s responsibility to meet the driver at the curb. As a safety precaution, drivers are required to stay with their vehicles and passengers. Drivers will assist you in and out of the vehicle, but they cannot assist from a residence or destination point. In other words, the drivers cannot assist you up and down steps or ramps, and under no circumstances are drivers permitted to enter a passenger’s residence.
Q:
Who decides if I’m eligible for Tel-A-Ride?
All Tel-A-Ride applications are reviewed by the Intelitran Manager. The ADA Specialist will determine whether an applicant is eligible for the service, based on guidelines established by the Americans with Disabilities Act, within 21 days of application. For more information, please call 843.724.7420, extension 3.
Q:
If an applicant is determined to be ineligible, can he or she appeal the decision?
Any individual who is determined to be ineligible for Tel-A-Ride may file an appeal with CARTA within 60 days of notice of ineligibility. Appeals will be heard by at least three members of CARTA’s ADA Advisory Committee. Please forward all appeals to:
CARTA
Attn: ADA Advisory Committee
36 John Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Q:
How do I schedule a ride once I’m determined eligible?
If you are eligible for Tel-A-Ride, you will receive a letter notifying you that your application has been approved. You will also receive a Tel-A-Ride Identification Card. Once you have received your card, you may begin to use the service.* To schedule a ride, you must call the Tel-A-Ride office at 843-747-0007 and make a reservation. With the exception of medical appointments, return trips must be scheduled when you make your initial reservation.
* The Tel-A-Ride ID card must be shown each and every time the service is used.
Q:
What if I don’t know what time I will need to return?
If you are traveling to a medical appointment, you may call Tel-A-Ride when you are ready to return home. If you choose to call for a return, please remember that you could wait as long as two or more hours to be picked up if the van is not in the area. With the exception of medical appointments, you must schedule a return time when you make your initial reservation.
Q:
Am I guaranteed a trip when I request it?
If seating is available, Tel-A-Ride will make every possible effort to schedule your trip when you request it. In the event there is no opening at the requested time, a pickup within one hour of your requested time will be provided on a space-available basis.
Q:
How soon before I would like to ride should I make a reservation?
Tel-A-Ride accepts reservations up to 14 days in advance of a scheduled trip. At a minimum, passengers must make their reservations no later than the day before the desired day of travel. Due to limited space, it is suggested that reservations be made as soon as possible.
Q:
When can I make reservations?
Reservations can be made by calling the Tel-A-Ride office at 843-747-0007, extension 3. Reservation hours are from 8AM to 5PM Monday – Sunday. A Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) is available and can also be accessed by dialing 843-744-4555.
Q:
Can I only use Tel-A-Ride to go to medical appointments?
There are no restrictions on trip purposes. You may use Tel-A-Ride to travel anywhere in the service area. Many of our riders use the service to go to the mall, the hairdresser, to visit friends, and much, much more!
Q:
What is the Tel-A-Ride service area?
The Tel-A-Ride service area has been set up to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandated levels, which is a ¾ mile corridor on either side of current fixed-route bus lines. Tel-A-Ride services all of Peninsula Charleston, and portions of James Island, West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island*, Isle of Palms*, and North Charleston. For more information, please call 843-747-0007.
Q:
What is the fare for Tel-A-Ride?
The fare for Tel-A-Ride is $2.50 for each one-way trip and must be paid when you board the vehicle. Only exact fare will be accepted. Trip tickets are available by mail or can be purchased in person at the Tel-A-Ride office. If you wish to receive your tickets by mail, you will need to send a check or money order plus shipping and handling costs. All tickets will be sent by registered mail requiring a signature. Please call 843-747-0007, extension 3, for more information.
Q:
What kind of training have the Tel-A-Ride drivers had?
All Tel-A-Ride drivers have been carefully selected and have undergone extensive training in both vehicle operation and passenger assistance. Please note that while all Tel-A-Ride drivers have been trained in first-aid, they are not emergency medical technicians.
Q:
When does Tel-A-Ride operate?
Tel-A-Ride service is available during the same hours and within a ¾ mile corridor of regular fixed-route service. For more specific information regarding service availability, please call 843.747.0007, extension 3.
Q:
What if I need a personal care attendant to ride with me?
If you require the assistance of another person to complete your trip, a personal care attendant may accompany you on Tel-A-Ride at no charge. You must indicate the need for a personal care attendant when you apply for Tel-A-Ride. For scheduling purposes, you must also indicate that an attendant will be traveling with you when you make a reservation. Attendants may not travel alone or be picked up or dropped off at any other location than that of the eligible client.
Q:
Can someone other than a personal care attendant ride with me?
If you are being accompanied by someone whose presence is not required to complete your trip, that person is considered a companion must pay the $2.50 fare. One companion may travel with you on a space-available basis. You must indicate that a companion will be traveling with you when you call for a reservation. Companions may not travel alone or be picked up or dropped off at any other location than that of the eligible client.
Q:
How early should I be ready on the day I have a trip scheduled?
You are responsible for being ready and at the curb 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. Tel-A-Ride vans are considered on time if they arrive 15 minutes prior to or 15 minutes after the scheduled pickup time. The Tel-A-Ride van will wait only five minutes after arriving at your pickup location.
Q:
What happens if I miss a scheduled trip?
If you miss a scheduled trip, you will be required to pay the fare for the missed trip the next time that you use Tel-A-Ride. If you cancel your trip less than 24 hours in advance, you are considered a late cancellation. If you do not cancel at all, you are considered a “no-show.” No-shows are a disservice to other Tel-A-Ride patrons and should be avoided whenever possible. Continued failure to cancel unwanted previously scheduled trips may result in suspension of service.
Q:
What if I change my mind about where I want to go when I board the vehicle?
You must notify Tel-A-Ride of any change in destination at least one hour before your pickup time, not when you board the vehicle. Unless properly notified, Tel-A-Ride will not transport you to a destination other than the destination that you originally requested. If at all possible, Tel-A-Ride will accommodate the change.
Q:
What if I will be using Tel-A-Ride to go to work or school or for some other routine travel?
Individuals who have routine travel requirements such as school, work, regular medical appointments, etc., may apply for subscription service. With subscription service, you are not required to call each time to schedule these regular trips unless your travel arrangements change. A limited number of subscription applications will be accepted on a first-come-first served basis.
Q:
Can I bring bags or packages on the vehicle with me?
Due to space limitations, Tel-A-Ride passengers are permitted to carry only two bags or packages on Tel-A-Ride vehicles.
Q:
Are children allowed to ride on the vehicles?
A dependent child may travel with a certified Tel-A-Ride patron on a space-available basis. Children six or under will be permitted to travel with a parent, free of charge. Children over the age of six will be required to pay the $2.50 fare. Parents are responsible for providing child restraint seats for children aged three and under. Any child not riding in a car seat must sit on the seat of the vehicle and use a seat belt. Children may not be held on an adult’s lap. (Note: While children may be certified to use Tel-A-Ride, children under ten will not be permitted to travel unaccompanied by an adult.)
Q:
Are animals allowed on the Tel-A-Ride vehicles?
Only service animals are permitted to travel with Tel-A-Ride passengers.
Q:
Do I have to wear a seat belt?
For your safety, passengers are required to use seat belts and wheelchair-restraining devices at all times. The driver will assist passengers with seat belts and will secure wheelchairs using a four-point tie down. The driver will not operate the vehicle unless all passengers are properly secured.
Q:
What if I have a complaint or compliment about Tel-A-Ride?
Please forward all complaints and compliments to:
CARTA
36 John Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843-724-7420, extension 4 / TDD 843-724-7190
Fax: 843-720-1985
Please include your name, address, phone number, the date of your trip, and a description of the incident (where applicable).
Q:
Can a person who is visiting Charleston use Tel-A-Ride if he or she has a mobility impairment?
A visitor to the Charleston area may use Tel-A-Ride if he or she is certified by another transit system or is found to be eligible for the service in Charleston. Likewise, a Tel-A-Ride patron may be eligible for similar service in other cities. Your Tel-A-Ride identification card will certify your eligibility for paratransit service in Charleston.
Q:
Can I smoke on the vehicles?
Smoking, eating, and drinking are not permitted on Tel-A-Ride vehicles.
Q:
Can my Tel-A-Ride eligibility be suspended?
Service may be denied to any rider who violates the rights of other passengers using the service. This includes violent, illegal, or disruptive behavior that may threaten the safety of Tel-A-Ride personnel or other passengers. Service may also suspended if a rider demonstrates a pattern of being a “no-show.” Riders will not be penalized for events or circumstances out of their control.
Q:
If I am denied service, can I appeal it?
Appeals may be filed with CARTA within 60 days of notification of service denial. You will then have the opportunity to appear before the Tel-A-Ride Appeals Committee. Please forward all appeals to:
CARTA
Attn: Tel-A-Ride Appeals
36 John Street
Charleston, SC 29403