SYSTEM WANTS TO HELP RIDERS WITH THE FIRST-MILE/LAST-MILE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Many public transit trips begin with a walk or bike ride, and this holiday season the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) wants to help riders overcome what’s been dubbed the first-mile/last-mile problem ? and also spread some Christmas cheer.

CARTA has again partnered with Affordabike to refurbish 15 lost-and-found bicycles and give them away to riders in order to help them navigate walks of more than a quarter mile to their stop or final destination. A quarter-mile is roughly the maximum distance most people find “comfortable” to walk to a stop.

Riders who could use two new wheels ? or individuals who know someone who fits the bill ? can submit requests/nominations through Dec. 17 by:

• Messaging the CARTA Facebook account
• Tagging @RideCARTA on Twitter
• Emailing memerson@ridecarta.com

All CARTA buses, except free DASH shuttles, are equipped with bike racks as part of the systems no-cost and easy-to-use Rack and Ride program.

Recipients of the Christmas bike giveaway will be selected by CARTA staff. Bikes will be available for collection from the CARTA facility at 3664 Leeds Ave. in North Charleston Dec. 17-19.

THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF THE SYSTEMS SENIOR SERIES

Individuals over the age of 55 will be able to access Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and TriCounty Link services for free on Sunday, Dec. 9. The perk is part of both systems quarterly Senior Series, which encourages seniors to ride transit free of charge.

Seniors are a vital and growing part of our community, and its important that we help keep them mobile, active and independent, said CARTA board of directors chairman Mike Seekings.

The Senior Series is a great opportunity for seniors to ride the bus at no charge, whether theyre an every-day customer or its their first time, said TriCounty Link board of directors chairwoman Anna Johnson.

Participating riders are asked to bring ID when boarding. Travel training tips are available by emailing cruze@ridecarta.com. Information on CARTA routes and schedules is available at www.ridecarta.com or by calling (843) 724-7420. Information on TriCounty Link routes and schedules is available at www.ridetricountylink.com or by calling (843) 899-4096.

SERIES OF MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC REVIEW

The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) announced today the availability of three major regional transportation plans for public review: the CHATS 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), the BCD Regional Transit Framework Plan and the CHATS Congestion Management Process.

These and associated documents will guide decision making regarding transportation improvements and spending in the region for years to come.

All three documents were prepared through collaboration with stakeholders and the public starting with public symposiums in the summer of 2017. Information gathered at all public meetings and the project websites have guided the priority projects outlined in the plans. ?

The BCDCOG will now hold three additional public open houses on the basic elements of these plans for the public to consider and provide feedback on the draft documents prior to final adoption. The agency invites the public to attend one of the following three public open houses or to provide comment via the project websites: www.chats2040.com or www.bcdcog.com/framework.

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE TIMES, DATES & LOCATIONS:

Monday, Dec. 10

• 5-7 p.m.
• Cuthbert Community Center
• 105 W. 5th Street, Summerville

Tuesday, Dec. 11

• 5-7 p.m.
• City of Goose Creek Fire Department
• 201 Button Hall Avenue, Goose Creek

Thursday, Dec. 13

• 5-7 p.m.
• BCDCOG Barrett Lawrimore Conference Room
• 1362 McMillan Avenue, North Charleston

With projections for continued economic prosperity and growth in the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester region, it is imperative that we have a comprehensive, multimodal transportation network and a plan that prioritizes projects that will render the greatest cost/benefit in addressing mobility for all users, said BCDCOG planning director Kathryn Basha. A collaborative effort among residents, jurisdictions, transportation providers and the state has enabled the region to develop comprehensive, long-range plans that will be in addressing the regions needs.

The Long-Range Transportation Plan ? overseen by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) called the Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) ? is the communitys overarching guide to the development of a regional transportation system that meets the current and future mobility needs of the regions residents. This plan covers all modes of transport including automobile, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, railroad, freight, and intermodal movements. Updated every five years, the policy document outlines strategies and actions for addressing transportation issues and needs in the Charleston area.

The Regional Transit Framework, along with the LRTP, will set the foundation for transit investment as part of a multi-modal transportation system. The study examined how residents travel across the region and where development patterns are favorable to high-capacity transit services.

The Congestion Management Process, or CMP, is a federally required element of the long-range planning practice for the CHATS area. It assesses conditions, identifies deficiencies, and suggests both actions and a monitoring schedule.

The draft Congestion Management Process, Long Range Transportation Plan, and Regional Transit Framework Plan documents can be viewed online. More information on these documents can be found at www.chats2040.com or www.bcdcog.com/framework or by contacting Kathryn Basha at 843.529.0400 or kathrynb@bcdcog.com.