Posted on Wednesday, April 01, 2015
In celebration of Stand Up 4 Transportation Day,Coast RTA is giving FREE rides throughout the day on Thursday, April 9. This FREE fare day is valid on all routes on Thursday, April 9, 2015. The bus system runs daily service in Horry and Georgetown Counties.
“Coast RTA is joining fellow transportation authorities, departments of transportation and transit agencies to collectively call attention to the state of our transportation infrastructure in our country. Stand Up 4 Transportation Day is a local day for national education and outreach to the public and our elected officials. Its goal is to raise awareness for the nation’s long-term transportation infrastructure funding plight,” said Julie Norton-Dew, Interim General Manager of Coast RTA. “Throughout the month of March, Coast RTA has participated in various events highlighting the need for funding and public transportation. Each year, Coast RTA is faced with uncertainty in planning projects due to the lack of long-term funding. If Federal funding is reduced, there could be layoffs and alteration of services provided by Coast RTA as well as other transportation agencies who rely heavily on federal dollars. Public transportation provides much needed mobility for many residents along the Grand Strand as well as tourists who visit our beautiful beaches, golf courses and leisure/sports activities. Coast RTA assists in transporting a large percentage of these passengers to their destinations.”
Public transit and highway grants from the Highway Trust Fund require an authorization bill to be funded. Transportation Agencies are asking Congress to pass a new surface transportation authorization before the current grant MAP 21 expires on May 31, 2015. Congress will need to pass new legislation to authorize the continuation of the above-mentioned programs after the May 2015 expiration.
“Coast RTA realizes that the elected officials are the decision makers regarding the funding but decided to implement a FREE fare day to thank our passengers for supporting public transportation throughout the year, not just on April 9,” Felicia Beaty, Chief Operations Officer of Coast RTA, stated. “We appreciate their choosing Coast RTA and are fortunate that we can provide the services that we do. We only wish that we could provide additional services but funding doesn’t allow the increased frequencies and routes in which this service couldtrulybenefit.”
Valid routes for the complimentary rides include all fixed routes: No. 1 – Conway Circulator (Schedule runs 5 AM-9AM and 3PM-7PM); No. 7 – 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). Paratransit services are excluded from the FREE fare day. 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. Multiple ride passes are available for purchase at Coast RTA, 1418 Third Avenue, Conway. For more information including additional route, schedule and fares information, call 843-488-0865 or visit the website www.ridecoastrta.com.
About Coast RTA.
Founded in 1983, Coast RTA has seen a steady increase in ridership. In 2013, Coast RTA surpassed the million mark with 1,019,184 rides. Daily, Coast RTA transports riders to and from their desired points of interest, jobs, shopping, school and medical appointments in Horry and Georgetown Counties. Coast RTA’s mission is to provide safe, reliable, affordable, clean and courteous mass public transportation that enhances the quality of life for residents and supports the growth of tourism.
