CARTA Fares Increase Sunday

By Tara Lynn
Reporter
Published: October 4, 2008

As gas prices rise, CARTA bus service says they’re seeing more and more people catching a ride.  But, starting Sunday fares will go up.

Rates are going up 20 percent to off set fuel costs.  That’s about 25 to 50 cents more out of your pocket.  Regular fare prices will jump from $1.25 to $1.50.  Tel-a-ride will raise from $2.50 to $3.  Express trips will go up from $2 to $2.50.  Transfers won’t change at all, but night rates will change in January.

Riders News Two spoke with say the increase is still a better deal that paying at the gas pump.

“I mean who can beat it. $1.25 to $1.50. Think about it when gas is $3.69 right now,” said rider Janet Thomas who caught a ride while her car is in the shop.  She says she plans on riding much more even after her car is fixed.

If you ride the regular CARTA busses to and from work five days a week, you’ll pay an extra $2.50 a week.  That adds up to $130 a year, or about two tanks of gas.

CARTA is also changing six of it’s bus routes.  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.