CARTA will operate an emergency circulator on the Charleston peninsula today at until 6pm. It will include 14 stops and will run in addition to regular service

Officials anticipate CARTA to run at full capacity into Wednesday or until conditions become unsafe. Riders on the emergency circulator will be taken to the Charleston County Public Service Building. The county will provide transportation to regional shelters based on occupancy.

As conditions allow, CARTA will transport those with disabilities to an appropriate shelter.

Contact the Charleston County Emergency information line at 843-746-3900 and a vehicle will be dispatched to transport disabled residents and those with pets directly to pet and special needs-friendly evacuation shelters.

A map of the emergency route operated by CARTA and the pick-up points can be found here. 

• CC-101: Bus stop at Meeting Street and Mary Street.
• CC-102: Bus stop at Meeting Street and Johnson Street.
• CC-103: Bus stop at Fishburne Street and Rutledge Avenue.
• CC-104: Bus stop at King Street and Mt. Pleasant Street.
• CC-105: Bus stop at Calhoun Street and Alexander Street.
• CC-106: Bus stop at Beaufain Street and Market St. (Canterbury House).
• CC-107: Bridgeview Village Apartments – 106 D. North Romney Street.
• CC-108: Bus stop at Doscher Avenue and Peonie Street.
• CC-109: Bus stop at Rutledge Avenue and Gordon Street.
• CC-110: Bus stop at Rutledge Avenue and Cannon Street.
• CC-111: Bus stop at Rutledge Avenue and Bennett Street.
• CC-112: Bus stop at Broad Street and Logan Street.
• CC-113: Bus stop at East Bay Street and Hassel Street.
• CC-114: Bus stop at Morrison Drive and Romney Street.

WHAT TO KNOW

I. Please call Charleston County Emergency Public Information Line at (843) 746-3900 if:

• You have questions or need to make a request regarding transportation.
• You need transportation to the nearest shelter during a voluntary or mandatory evacuation.
• You are disabled and cannot get to the nearest evacuation pick up point.

II. CARTA’s Role During a Hurricane: What to Expect

• If a mandatory evacuation has been called for, expect CARTA services to be suspended within 24-48 hours in order to assist with evacuation efforts. This could happen with very little warning.
• As conditions deteriorate, all CARTA vehicles will be removed from the road within 24-48 hours of expected landfall.
• Please plan accordingly and make any trips to purchase supplies in advance of an evacuation order or as quickly as possible once the evacuation has been called for.

III. Transportation During an Evacuation

• If an evacuation is ordered and you do not have transportation in Charleston County, buses will be provided to take you from assigned pick-up points to the Charleston County Public Services Building and then to the nearest available shelter out of the area. Look for blue Hurricane Evacuation Bus Stop signs designating a pick-up point location near you.
• CARTA will begin operating an emergency circulator on the Charleston Peninsula beginning at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 11. The 14-stop circulator, which can be viewed here, will offer pick-up hourly. All riders are encouraged to call the Charleston County Emergency Public Information Line at (843) 746-3900 with any questions.
• Be aware that the buses sent will most likely be yellow school buses, not CARTA buses.
• For a list of the pick-up points please visit charlestoncounty.org.

IV. During an Evacuation, CARTA’s Main Role Is … :

• To transport those with mobility impairments (disabilities) to an appropriate shelter.
• To transport individuals with pets who would like to evacuate to a pet-friendly shelter. If you have an animal to bring with you while evacuating and do not have transportation, contact the Charleston County Emergency Public Information Line at (843) 746-3900 and a vehicle will be dispatched to transport you and your pet(s) to a pet friendly evacuation shelter.
• CARTA also runs an on-demand downtown Charleston Peninsula route at the request of Charleston County to assist with picking up individuals from stops with the blue hurricane signs.
• Once a request has been made, individuals will need to be at the bus stop with blue hurricane evacuation sign in order to be picked up. These stops are often located near a regular CARTA bus stop, but you should become familiar with where your stop is in advance of any emergency. Visit ridecarta.com during the evacuation for more details.
• CARTA Customer service may not be available at times prior, during and after the storm. Contact the Charleston County Emergency Line at (843) 746-3900 for all transportation needs during an emergency. During an evacuation CARTA service will ONLY take you to the shelter.

V. CARTA Emergency Circulator Pick-Up Points

• CARTA emergency service commence following the Governor’s call for an evacuation. The planned route is designed to offer pick-up every 60 minutes. Call the Charleston County Emergency Public Information Line at (843) 746-3900 with any questions.

VI. After the Storm:

• CARTA will assist at the direction of Charleston County with getting residents back to their homes from shelters
• CARTA will resume regular services on a route-by-route basis as road and weather conditions permit.
• Visit ridecarta.com for information and updates relating to CARTA services before, during and after the storm.