CARTA sets new Mount Pleasant routes and service changes (update: routes in danger of being canceled)

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Update April 28: The new Mount Pleasant CARTA routes have been in effect for less than two weeks, and there's already been talk that they could be canceled come September.

That is, unless they can pick up about 541 new riders each week.

The Post and Courier has an in-depth report about this possibility; read it here.

First reporting: The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) has a variety of East Cooper service changes that will go in effect April 17th.

The route changes represent the introduction of new routes #401 and #402 as well as an improvement to route #40 buses headed to the Mount Pleasant area.

Route #401 will be a fixed-route service running from 7:07 a.m. until 8:07 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:07 a.m. to 8:07 p.m. Saturdays. This route will serve Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park, Mt. Pleasant Town Hall, Coleman Boulevard, Bowman Road/Senior Center, East Cooper Hospital, Central Mount Pleasant, Six Mile Community, and Long Point Road.

Route #402 will be a FLEX zone serving areas in Mount Pleasant as well as Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Route #40 will be changed to serve Wando High School and Mount Pleasant Hospital. This route's service will remain hourly Monday-Saturday and every other hour on Sunday.

There are many events coming up to raise awareness of these changes, including:

  •  The Bless of the Fleet of the CARTA bus servicing the #401 route, April 17, 12:30 to 6 p.m., Waterfront Memorial Park, Hallman Boulevard.
  • Throughout the week of April 18th, youth volunteers will distribute posters and perform community outreach near the #401 bus route.
  • Bus to the Beach Day, May 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., commercial districts of Mount Pleasant Town Center, Isle of Palms, and Sullivan's Island.
  • CARTA Night, May 17, Mount Pleasant Farmer's Market, 100 Ann Edwards Lane.

To stay current on the launch, check out the Ride CARTA and East Cooper CARTA Riders Facebook pages.

For more information about the new route system, call (843) 724-7420 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or visit RideCARTA.com