Effort Aligns With BCDCOGs Push to Use Advanced Technology

The Charleston Regional Transportation?Authority (CARTA) has added a live chat feature to its website, providing an additional way for riders to connect with customer support online and in real-time. The new tool, which was recently soft-launched, has spurred a reduction in call volume and the use of static contact forms by riders.

This feature is a key tool in improving the overall rider experience and providing an additional customer service outlet, said CARTA board of directors chairman Mike Seekings. Better technology is helping us lay the foundation for immediate and long-term transportation success in the Lowcountry.

HOW IT WORKS:

• The live chat option automatically appears in the bottom right of specific web pages, where customers most likely have questions: Home, FAQs, Contact, Fares and Passes, etc.

• Customers click on the “Live Chat” button and enter name, phone and email (optional).

• Customers enter the queue and a customer service representative selects and begins the chat session.

• The Live Chat function is available during regular customer support hours, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. During off hours, the system allows riders to submit emails that representatives will respond to promptly.

• At end of every session, customers are offered a feedback survey.

CARTA mobile app partner, Transit, also released its highly anticipated 5.0 update with a refreshed home screen and new features.

NEW FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Search Bar: Now located at the bottom of the screen for ease-of-use.

• Instant ETAs: The Transit app now predicts where riders are most likely heading next and provides an instant arrival time to make planning a trip easy.

• All-in-One Route Information: Tap any transit line on the home screen to see that routes schedule, service alerts and map with vehicle locations and stop ETAs.

Transit is available for free download in the Google Play and the Apple App Store.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE SEPT. 13 AT CHARLESTON COUNTYS DIRECTION

CARTA will suspend all operations at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Limited emergency evacuation services will resume on Thursday, Sept. 13, at Charleston Countys direction.

CARTA will operate an emergency circulator on the Charleston Peninsula throughout the day Wednesday. The 14-stop circulator, which can be viewed here, will offer pick-up hourly.

The emergency circulator will run in addition to regular service until 9 p.m. on Wednesday. Riders on the emergency circulator will be taken to the Charleston County Public Service Building. The county will provide transportation to regional emergency shelters based on occupancy. All riders are encouraged to call the Charleston County Emergency Public Information Line at (843) 746-3900 with any questions.

In addition to the emergency circulator and regular service, until 9 p.m., CARTA will also:

• Transport those with mobility impairments (disabilities) to an appropriate shelter.

• Transport individuals with pets who would like to evacuate to a pet-friendly shelter.

Contact the Charleston County Emergency Public 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 viewed at 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.

The latest Hurricane Florence CARTA-related news can be found at ridecarta.com/Florence. Information will also be available on CARTA social media channels, @ridecarta on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION SERVICES ALSO AVAILABLE FROM 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. WEDNESDAY, AS CONDITIONS PERMIT

CARTA will end emergency services at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, and resume operating an emergency circulator on the Charleston Peninsula beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The 14-stop circulator, which can be viewed here, will offer pick-up hourly. Regular operations, except Route 203 Medical Shuttle, will continue into Wednesday, as conditions permit.

The emergency circulator will run in addition to regular service until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, or until conditions become unsafe. Regular service will be available 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 emergency shelters based on occupancy. All riders are encouraged to call the Charleston County Emergency Public Information Line at (843) 746-3900 with any questions.

Also until 6 p.m. and as conditions allow on Wednesday during the evacuation, CARTA will:

• Transport those with mobility impairments (disabilities) to an appropriate shelter.
• Transport individuals with pets who would like to evacuate to a pet-friendly shelter.

Contact the Charleston County Emergency Public Information Line at (843) 746-3900 and a vehicle will be dispatched to transport disabled residents and those with pets to 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 viewed at 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.

The latest Hurricane Florence CARTA-related news can be found at ridecarta.com/Florence. Information will also be available on CARTA social media channels, @ridecarta on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.