Coast RTA has announced that pilot program bus routes to Loris and Bucksport, initially funded by a state workforce grant, will become permanent on June 1 with several changes in service. Earlier this year, Coast RTA held public meetings, met with passengers, and decided to incorporate improved service on these routes into the regular fixed route service.
“When the workforce grant period ended, we took the opportunity to evaluate the service’, said Coast RTA General Manager Brian Piascik. “As a result of public input, we have made some improvements to our routes and look forward to providing service to these areas for years to come. These routes are a vital part of the long term vision of the transit network in Horry County.”
Beginning June 1, the Bucksport route will extended along Bucksport Road to the Bucksport Marina. Service will no longer go into the Frazier Center parking lot, however, the bus will stop along Bucksport Road in front of the facility. The extension to the marina will be operated on a temporary basis. At the end of the summer, Coast RTA will evaluate the success of the extension to the Marina and determine if the extension will be permanent. No schedule changes are planned at this timed.
Passengers on the Loris route will experience several changes beginning June 1. The bus stop at the Finklea Community Center will move to the Body of Believers Church near the Hwy 410 and Hwy 917/9 intersection. The fixed route will continue into Loris and will add the following stops: McLeod Loris Campus on the corner of Casey and Mitchell Streets; Loris Commerce Center at Ralph Ellis Blvd and Food Lion on Broad Street. Besides additional stops, the Loris midday run will operate an hour earlier at noon, instead of 1 PM. The earlier run will enable passengers to connect to the 2 PM arrival/departure of Route 7 (service to and from Myrtle Beach) minimizing wait times at the Conway Terminal.
All route updates will be uploaded to the Coast RTA app, which allows passengers to track buses in real time.
Coast RTA operates the following fixed routes: No. 1 – Conway Circulator; No. 7 and No. 7 Express – Conway to Myrtle Beach; the No. 10 – Myrtle Beach Connector; the 15 North and 15 South, choice of routes along Ocean Boulevard from 82nd Avenue North to Market Common; and, the 16 and 16 Express (Georgetown routes). Coast RTA fixed routes are $1.50 per ride for adults, $.75 per ride for senior citizens/disabled citizens and FREE for children, ages 6 and younger (limit 3). The Express Route fare from Georgetown is $2 per ride for adults. All transfers are $.25 each.