CARTA to Double Service Frequency on Folly Road Route

NORTH CHARLESTON (Feb. 5, 2021) — Starting Monday, Feb. 8, the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) will double service frequency Monday-Saturday on Route 31 Folly Road, the line that connects James Island and downtown Charleston. 

The updated route schedule is available here. 

The enhanced service will cut wait times in half on Route 31, which previously had the system’s lowest frequency with trips occurring every 90 minutes. The increased frequency will provide improved service to a growing area, facilitate better connections and allow for less-crowded buses.  

System leaders also hope that more frequent service will spur ridership gains. 

“Increased frequency on Route 31 has been a goal for the system for some time, and we are pleased to provide this much-needed improvement to current riders, and new riders, along the Folly Road corridor and across James Island,” said CARTA Board of Directors Chairman Mike Seekings. “While this is another important stop on the region’s transit journey, it is not our final destination. CARTA works every day on numerous fronts to make public transit equitable, accessible and convenient. It is encouraging to see this sort of progress, and there is much more to come.”

The service increase is the latest in a series of recent and ongoing CARTA initiatives designed to put riders first. Other efforts include:

• The CARTA OnDemand pilot program for seniors and Tel-A-Ride customers on the peninsula.
• More than 150 installed or planned solar lighting rigs at unsheltered stops throughout the system. 
• Dozens of solar-powered shelters installed since 2019.
• The Free Student Fare program, which allows K-12 students to ride for free.
• Reduced senior rates now apply all day.
• Covid-19 testing sites for the community provided at major hubs.

For full details regarding the new Route 31 schedule, visit RideCarta.com/route31frequencyincrease or call 724-7420 (choose option 1).

Please note that masks are required when utilizing any CARTA service. 

ABOUT CARTA
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is a public transportation system dedicated to providing affordable transit in the Charleston, S.C., community through local fixed routes, on-demand paratransit and express commuter service. For the latest on CARTA, visit ridecarta.com, like us on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @RideCARTA. All customers are encouraged to plan rides and track buses with the CARTA-endorsed Transit app.