Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority & TriCounty Link BERKELEY-CHARLESTON-DORCHESTER COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS PROGRAMS

VETERANS AND ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY RIDE CARTA, TRICOUNTY LINK FOR FREE ON VETERANS DAY

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Nov. 08, 2018) ? All U.S. armed services veterans and current military personnel can ride Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and TriCounty Link services for free on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11.

Veterans and military personnel make great sacrifices for our country. Allowing them to ride for free on Veterans Day is one small way CARTA and TriCounty Link can say thank you, said CARTA board chairman Mike Seekings. ?

A military ID, service photo, a memento ? such as a veterans cap or other similar items ? will be enough to get veterans and current military on board at no cost.

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ABOUT CARTA The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is a public transportation system dedicated to providing affordable transit in the Charleston community through local fixed routes, on-demand paratransit service and express commuter routes. For the latest on CARTA, visit www.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.

ABOUT TRICOUNTY LINK

The TriCounty Link system is comprised of nine regular fixed routes and six commuter routes providing services to rural residents of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. The current fleet consists of 60 vehicles seating from 14 to 32 passengers. All TriCounty Link vehicles are ADA compliant and include wheelchair lifts, and on average, two wheelchair tie-down positions per vehicle. For the latest on TriCounty Link, visit www.ridetricountylink.com and like us on Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACT Daniel Brock Rawle Murdy Associates (919) 820-2612 dbrock@rawlemurdy.com     Veterans Day Holiday Service Reminder On Monday, Tricounty Link will run a limited schedule in observance of Veterans Day (Observed Day) Administrative offices will be closed and only the following routes will operate:

• • • • • B101 Moncks Corner/Jamestown
        • B102 Moncks Corner/Goose Creek
        • B105 Moncks Corner/Mt. Pleasant
        • CS1 Moncks Corner/North Charleston
        • CS3 Summerville/Moncks Corner
        • CS4 Moncks Corner/St. Stephen/Cross
        • CS8-Link to Lunch

    Inclement Weather Threat-Hurricane Michael

Inclement Weather Threat-Hurricane Michael

  Services returning to regular schedules on September 17, 2018 -Hurricane Florence Update 3 All services will return to regular schedule on Monday September 17, 2018.   September 11, 2018 - Hurricane Florence Update 2 Tricounty link services will be suspended starting Wednesday September 12, 2018 in order to assist with evacuation efforts. If you need assistance with transportation to shelters please call 843-899-4096. Expect all evacuation assistance to be suspended at some point on Wednesday. Updates will be posted here and on our facebook @ridetricounty.   September 11, 2018 - Hurricane Florence Update 1 Tricounty link service will be impacted well before expected landfall. If you depend on the system for transportation, please complete your storm preparations as quickly as possible. Expect services to possibly be suspended as vehicles are needed for evacuations and we anticipate services running as long as conditions allow. If you need assistance with transportation to shelters please call 843-899-4096. Updates will be posted here and on our facebook @ridetricounty.   August 17, 2018 - Launch of System Route Changes On Tuesday, September 4th, phase I recommendations from the Comprehensive Operational Analysis will go into effect. Almost every route will be impacted. Most routes will have minor modifications, however, some have more extensive changes so please review every route. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at (843) 899-4096. View summary of changes July 2, 2018 - July 4th Service On Wednesday, July 4, 2018 Tricounty Link services will not operate and the administrative offices will not be open in observance of the holiday. Happy 4th of July and have a safe holiday.   June 27, 2018 - Legal Services Request for Proposals BCDCOG will accept proposals from qualified board certified legal firms or consultants to provide sound counsel, advice, research and such other duties as directed by and necessary for the staff and Board of Directors of the BCDCOG and its entities so that it may ethically and legally carry out its statutory and legal responsibilities.More... April 20, 2018 - TriCounty Link Notice of Public Meetings for Route/Service Changes TriCounty Link customers are invited to attend any of the six public meetings to review potential changes to several routes including Routes C203, C204 Green, D305, Commuter Solution #1, Commuter Solution #2, Commuter Solution #6, and the Dorchester Commuter Shuttle. This is a drop-in style meeting.More...   Click here for the online meeting March 7, 2018 - TriCounty Link 2017 Audit The FY 2017 Audit for TriCounty Link is now available. more... February 26, 2018 - Minor Construction/Facility Repairs Invitation for Bid Invitation for Bids from licensed contractors will be received by TriCounty Link for facility repairs at their facility located at 305 Heatley Street, Moncks Corner..more... February 2, 2018 - Weekend Express Service to stop effective February 5th The Weekend Express service will not continue to run after February 4th. We appreciate your support of the service. November 2, 2017 - Veteran's Ride Free on November 11th To honor and salute the brave men and women that have served and protected our country, TriCounty Link is providing free rides to all Veterans of the US Armed Forces or active duty members (including reserves) on Veteran's Day - November 11th. To ride free, Veterans simply show a CARTA or TriCounty Link driver their proper ID when boarding the bus. August 1, 2017 - Eclipse News TriCounty Link services will run as regularly scheduled on August 21, 2017. Click here to see what to expect the day of the event.

Beginning on Monday, Junly 17, 2017 all TriCounty Link riders will need to park in the designated area shown on the map (click here). Staff will continue to communicate any changes to the park and ride lot as a permanent resolution is reached.

Download the Audit RFP here

Employment Opportunity - Safety and Training Manager

TriCounty Link is now hiring a Safety and Training Manager - More info....

Dump the Pump Facebook Contest Winner Announced

TriCounty Link and CARTA are here to serve you!

TriCounty Link Weekend Express

Let the Weekend Express connect you to restaurants, shopping, movies and More! The service operates: Friday from 4pm until 10:56pm; Saturday from 10am until 10:56pm and Sunday from noon until 5:56pm. Only $5.00 one-way (or purchase a $20.00 four-ride pass from the driver). Your easy, economical and safe connection to the weekend!

TriCounty Link Named Best Rural Public Transportation Provider

The South Carolina Department of Transportation recently named TriCounty Link the Best Rural Public Transportation Provider of 2012. The award was presented by Doug Frate, Deputy Secretary for Mass Transit at the 2012 Transportation Association of South Carolina conference. TriCounty Link was also named Best Rural Provider in 2008 and 2010. Over the past four years the Link has made great progress in providing efficient public transportation throughout Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. When other systems across the country have been raising fares and cutting service, the Link responded to community needs by introducing the Commuter Solutions program. In 2008 the three commuter routes were provided free for the first three months, but the service continued to retain and attract new riders even after gas prices decreased. Two more commuter routes were added in 2009 and 2010. The Commuter Solutions program has been so successful that a sixth route serving Summerville and St. George was implemented in early April and a local shuttle will begin operating in Summerville on Monday, April 30. TriCounty Link has experienced tremendous growth since starting service 16 years ago, with much of the improvements occurring during the last four years. According to a SCDOT performance report, the statewide average in15.1 percent decrease in ridership over the past fiscal year. However, TriCounty Link has shown an overall 7.75 percent increase and at 62.9 percent, the system's farebox recovery rate is well above state and national averages. In addition to Best Transit System, the Link also took home three other distinguished awards. William S. Hutto received the SCDOT Director's Award, as well as a special award from the Transportation Association for his sixteen years of leadership as executive director. Bus operator Sharon Moody was also named Driver of the Year for her quick-thinking action in helping prevent a robbery and rescuing the victim by bringing her on board the bus and calling the police. According to Mr. Hutto, being recognized as the best rural system in the state is the result of a team effort. We are also very proud of Sharon Moody for her service to the community and pleased that she has been recognized for her efforts. I would like to thank every employee and each TriCounty Link board member for their hard work and dedication to the customers we serve.

TriCounty Link Introduces Dorchester Connector

Beginning April 2, 2012 the residents of Dorchester County will be able to travel between Summerville and St. George on a brand new commuter route that will operate Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. TriCounty Link and representatives from Dorchester County Government will introduce the new Dorchester Connector at a Monday, April 2, 2012 event to be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Dorchester County Council Chambers, 500 Main Street, in Summerville. The event will be attended by Dorchester County employees and public officials, and is open to the public. According to Executive Director, Will Hutto, "With gas prices steadily increasing, the Dorchester Connector will not only be a more cost effective long term alternative to driving, but the new service will be FREE during the first three months, April 2 through June 29th." If that's not enough of an incentive to ride, the buses will also be equipped with FREE wireless internet and each time you ride, you will be eligible to win a (description) flat screen television. The winning entry will be determined at the end of the three month period and the winner notified by July 9, 2012. TriCounty Link introduced the successful Commuter Solutions program beginning with three routes in 2008 and ridership increased by over 50% during the first year of operation. In response to customer needs, the Link introduced two more routes in 2010 and 2011. The Dorchester Connector is the Link's sixth commuter route and is made possible with funding from Dorchester County. It will provide transportation to rural areas that have never had bus service. "We're very pleased to be able to partner with TriCounty Link to make commuting a little easier and less expensive for residents in Dorchester County." stated Dorchester County Council Chairman Larry Hargett. "We are hoping that people will take advantage of the free period to find out how much they will save when they ride the bus rather than driving their cars." Hargett continued.   Introduction of the new commuter route comes at a time when transit ridership throughout the country is higher than it has been since 1957. According to the American Public Transportation Association the largest rate of growth in transit ridership was in the rural communities with populations under 100,000. TriCounty Link's ridership has increased by over 7.5% in the last year alone with the largest increase on the Commuter Solutions routes.

TriCounty Link Gives Back to the Community

The TriCounty Link family has a tradition of giving back to the communities it serves and this year is no exception. As a sponsor of the ABC News 4 Families Helping Families campaign, the Link is holding a stuff-a-bus event on Saturday, December 3rd to collect donations for a family of four. The "stuff-a-bus" event will be held from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Walmart Supercenter located at 3000 Proprietors Place in Mt. Pleasant. Linky, the TriCounty Link mascot will make a special appearance along with Star 99.7's own Geno Jones who will do a live radio remote at the event and distribute goodies to generous donors.   TriCounty Link is asking that people donate educational toys, clothes, gift cards or any new items that can be delivered to the family in time for Christmas. The family includes:  

• • • • • Woman, age 60: pants and shirt women's size XL
        • Girl, age 4: pants/shirts size 6
        • Boy, age 4: pants/shirts size 5
        • Boy, age 5: pants/shirts size 8

  Don't miss this opportunity to join the TriCounty Link family and help provide a happy holiday season for a family in need. To find out more about the services offered by TriCounty Link call 843-899-4096 or go to-www.ridetricountylink.com.

TriCounty Link Adds a Fifth Commuter Route TriCounty Link is celebrating the third year of its successful Commuter Solutions program by adding a fifth commuter route. The new route will serve the Santee Cooper park and ride lot at 1 Riverwood Drive in Moncks Corner, the IGA at 3931 Byrnes Drive in St. Stephen and 52 Station at 2700 S. Williamsburg Highway in Salters. The new route begins Tuesday, September 6, 2011. TriCounty Link has started a new operating year with an excellent record for the last fiscal year which closed June 30, 2011. The Link continues to attract more riders while other systems in the state are showing decreases in ridership. According to Transit Trends, a South Carolina Department of Transportation performance report, the statewide average indicates a 15.1% decrease in ridership over the past fiscal year. However, TriCounty Link is celebrating an overall increase of 7.75%. There are twenty-four public transportation providers operating in twenty-six areas of the state. Of those, seven are exclusively urban, fifteen are exclusively rural and four offer both rural and urban service. TriCounty Link operates a rural regional system throughout Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties and has the seventh largest fleet in the state, as well as being the second largest rural fleet. According to Executive Director, Will Hutto, "We are continuously fine-turning our route structure to meet the needs of our customers while making the system more efficient." TriCounty Link ranks third in the state for system mileage for all providers and second for exclusively rural. The Link's system mileage increased by 10.5% while system hours decreased by 11%. Additionally, the system's cost per hour and cost per revenue hour are below the state average for rural providers. A system's farebox recovery rate is another important performance indicator. ?In the urbanized area the state average is 22.8% and the rural state average is 43.7%. TriCounty Link's average farebox recovery is 62.9%, one of the best in the state. TriCounty Link's successes have also attracted national attention and will be featured in a new report, "Transit at the Table" to be released this month by the Federal Transit Administration and the U. S. Department of Transportation.

Dump the Pump Moncks Corner, SC - With the return of high gas prices, TriCounty Link is partnering with the Berkeley, Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments (BCD-COG) and Trident Rideshare as well as other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the Sixth Annual National Dump the Pump Day, Thursday, June 16, 2011. The slogan of this year's National Dump the Pump Day is "Dump the Pump. Save Money. Ride Transit".   Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. and North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey have issued proclamations recognizing the part that public transportation plays in helping Low Country residents save money, reduce congestion and enhance economic opportunities in the region. TriCounty Link's mascot, Linky will meet with Mayor Riley on Thursday, June 16 at noon to officially receive the City of Charleston proclamation.   In addition to FREE rides on all fixed routes, TriCounty Link customers can REGISTER TO WIN one of two 26 inch bicycles. Winners will be notified on Monday, June 20th. TriCounty Link is also proud to announce that FREE wireless internet is now available on ALL fixed route vehicles. Customers can now save money AND surf the net while riding the bus. TriCounty Link is the only transit system in the state with FREE wireless internet on board their vehicles.   Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) the 2011 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation and save money instead of driving a car. Started in June 2006 when gas prices were $3 per gallon, this national day emphasizes that public transportation is a great travel option that also helps people save money. High gas prices and concern about the economy means that saving money is on everyones minds and public transportation is the quickest way to beat high prices. According to the latest APTA Transit Savings Report(www.apta.com.), individuals in a two-person household can save an average of more than $10,000 annually by downsizing to one car. Additionally, public awareness about saving energy is still a major issue. Even one person can make a difference by switching to public transit and reduce daily carbon emissions by 2o pounds, or more than 4,800 pounds in a year.   According to Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester Council of Governments Director Ron Mitchum, " Public transportation makes an important contribution to the economic health and quality of life in our region by getting people to and from work and reducing congestion. The Council of Governments continues to be very involved in plans to create an efficient and effective transportation network throughout the three county area and we are very pleased to partner with TriCounty Link as part of this nationwide event."   To find out more about the BCD-COG and Trident Rideshare go to-www.bcdcog.com. To find out more about the region's Dump the Pump activities call 843-899-4096 or go to-www.ridetricountylink.com.

Celebrating a New Chapter On Friday, February 25, 2011 TriCounty Link celebrated an exciting new chapter in it's 16-year history. The Link heralded the opening of its newly renovated offices and maintenance facilities in Moncks Corner with a luncheon and open house.   Over 60 guests attended a luncheon held at the Santee Cooper Wampee Conference Center in Pinopolis. Speakers included representatives from the South Carolina Department of Transportation Office of Public Transportation, area mayors, county officials, Santee Cooper and TriCounty Link employees. Mr. Don Hanley, a retired Santee Cooper employee who served as Manager of Transportation and spent approximately half of his 30-year career in the building was also honored at the event.   Executive Director Will Hutto reminisced about the agency's humble beginnings in 1996 when they moved into a small termite ridden wood frame office and conducted maintenance on the buses under the trees. Hutto stated, "In 1996 we approached this venture as a business. There were no deep pockets to fall back on and here we are fifteen years later, celebrating yesterday, today and turning the page to a new chapter - looking forward to tomorrow."   Lunch speakers were very complementary about the TriCounty Link service, it's phenomenal growth over the past 15 years and the leadership of it's director Will Hutto. According to Doug Frate, Director of the Office of Public Transportation for the SCDOT, "Success in the absence of leadership and vision is very seldom realized. Will Hutto exemplifies both leadership and vision and has done so over the past 15 years, especially with the limited resources he has had to work with. Certainly the new and improved facility is a testament to that vision". The SCDOT recently finalized another $300,000 in Section 5309 grant funding for the project, bringing the total investment to a little over $1.4. The renovation began on May 17, 2010 and was accomplished using a combination of funding provided by the Federal Transit Administration, the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act and local matches.   Sixth Congressional District Transportation Commissioner Harrison Reardon, was also in attendance at the lunch and spoke about TriCounty Link's efforts as an important contribution to working together as a region.   Ray Smith, Director of Human Services for Santee Cooper presented Mr. Hutto with the original 13-page drawings for the building. Designed in 1946 by the Columbia based Heyward A. Singley architectural firm, the building was owned by Santee Cooper and served as a transportation services building. The sixty-five year old building was eventually purchased by the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester Regional Transportation Management Association, now TriCounty Link. The agency has used the building as a transportation hub, administrative office and maintenance facility since 1997.   "Santee Cooper is very proud of its partnership with TriCounty Link" stated Smith. "We helped start the Commuter Solutions Express Bus routes as an additional benefit to our employees. Yes, it helped them at the pump (their wallets) but it also helped us lower our dependence on foreign oil and significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions for all our commuting employees. It is good for the planet".   After the lunch, the audience joined members of the public for an open house and official ribbon cutting ceremony at the renovated Moncks Corner facility.   In celebration of the event, customers riding the TriCounty Link fixed route service can enter a drawing to win a 22" Panasonic LCD-HDTV with iPod dock. Beginning Friday, February 25th entry blanks will be available on all TriCounty Link vehicles and the winner will be notified by March 18th.   TriCounty Link has made remarkable progress since being established in 1996. The long list of accomplishments the agency has accumulated over the past several years include:  

• • • • • September 2007 - Implemented new service along the Highway 17 North corridor from Mt. Pleasant to McClellanville.

 

• • • • • October 2007 - Introduced Saturday service on the Highway 17 North route.

 

• • • • • January 2008 - Named Public Transit Provider of the Year by the SCDOT. Executive Director Will Hutto receives SCDOT Director's Award.

 

• • • • • January 2008 - Implemented two new routes on Johns Island.

 

• • • • • August 2008 - Implemented Commuter Solutions program with three new commuter routes.

 

• • • • • July 2009 - Implemented free Link-to-Lunch service.

 

• • • • • September 2010 - Wins two American Public Transportation Association AdWheel Awards. Also receives Excellence Award from the National Association of Development Organizations?Research Foundation (NADO).

 

• • • • • October 2009 - Implemented fourth Commuter Solutions route.

 

• • • • • February 2010 - Named Best Rural Transit Provider in South Carolina by the SCDOT.

 

• • • • • July 2010 - Introduced wireless internet on Commuter routes.

 

• • • • • Ridership doubled during the five-year period between FY 2004-2005 and FY 2008-2009, with the largest annual increase of 38 percent occurring between FY 2007-2008 and FY 2008-2009.

 

• • • • • TriCounty Link has experienced an overall increase of 4 percent during the period FY 2008-2009 and FY 2009-2010, with the largest increases occurring on the Commuter Solutions Routes.

    In 2009 the Link also implemented an innovative training program for drivers by purchasing and converting a 1995 model bus for use as a dedicated training vehicle. Although CDL's are not required for all drivers, TriCounty Link has achieved its goal of certifying all vehicle operators and implemented a rotating training schedule to maintain their proficiency.   For more information about the renovation and open house or to find out more about TriCounty Link services call 843-899-4096/toll free at 1-800-966-6631 or visit our website at-www.ridetricountylink.com.   Photos and Mr. Hutto's remarks available upon request.

Linky sighting: TASC Statewide Transit Bus Rodeo Linky was spotted at the the TASC Roadeo on Saturday, October 16, 2010 in Columbia. TriCounty Link's drivers and mechanics competed with other South Carolina transit drivers and mechanics in the annual Statewide Transit Bus Rodeo sponsored by the Transportation Association of South Carolina (TASC) in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and various transit-related vendors. [view pictures below]  

Linky goes wireless In another innovative action, the TriCounty Link has added wireless internet connections on four commuter buses. Beginning Monday, July 12, 2010, commuters will be able to sign onto the Internet while on board on the Commuter Solutions routes between Moncks Corner and Summerville, and North Charleston and Moncks Corner.   According to Executive Director, Will Hutto, "Adding wireless internet to our Commuter Solutions routes is one of many goals we've achieved over the past several years and is a first for public transportation in South Carolina. We are very excited to provide this great new amenity for our customers". TriCounty Link has experienced tremendous growth since starting service over 14 years ago, with much of the improvements occurring during the last three years. Over the past year alone ridership on TriCounty Link has continued to show substantial increases. Figures for the period July 2009 through March 2010 indicate an overall 39% increase in ridership. As a result of these achievements, TriCounty Link has been named the Best Rural Public Transportation Provider of 2010 by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.   For more information about TriCounty Link services call 843-899-4096, or toll free at 1-800-966-6631.