The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) and the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) have announced updates in planning for and improving regional transit services. The BCDCOG, Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) and CARTA Now & Next project teams will hold joint community open house meetings in April to provide transit planning updates to the public.
LCRT 100% design completion: Learn more about this milestone, which brings LCRT closer to entering the construction phase of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, and receive updates on construction preparations.
Members of the public are also encouraged to view the LCRT virtual on-demand meeting, which provides project-specific information and will be available 24/7 from April 27 through May 27, 2026, at lowcountryrapidtransit.com.
CARTA Now & Next recommendations: After conducting an operational analysis and receiving community feedback at the end of 2025, CARTA has developed recommendations for improving its services and will present draft proposals for potential changes.
A CARTA virtual meeting will be held on Zoom on Monday, May 4, from 6 to 7 p.m., offering opportunities to review draft proposals. The meeting can be accessed at nelsonnygaard.zoom.us/j/82935064379.
Other regional updates: BCDCOG is updating its Regional Transit Framework Plan (RTFP), which outlines a long-range vision for mass transit throughout the region. Additional information will also be shared about existing services, including Tri-County Link.
Members of the public are invited to attend community open house meetings in April at the following locations:
Downtown Charleston
- Monday, April 27, from 4 to 7 p.m.
- Main Library, 68 Calhoun St., Charleston
Mount Pleasant
- Tuesday, April 28, from 4 to 7 p.m.
- Mount Pleasant Municipal Complex, 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mount Pleasant
West Ashley
- Wednesday, April 29, from 4 to 7 p.m.
- Cynthia Graham Hurd/St. Andrews Library, 1735 Woodmere Drive, Charleston
North Charleston
- Thursday, April 30, from 4 to 7 p.m.
- Michael Brown Community Wellness Center, 2920 Carner Ave., North Charleston
The public is encouraged to drop in at any time during the open house hours. No formal presentation will be given.
For decades, BCDCOG and CARTA have advanced regional transportation planning efforts with the help of partners, stakeholders and community members. LCRT is South Carolina’s first mass transit system and the first of several proposed lines for the region. Combined, improvements to CARTA’s existing services and the implementation of LCRT aim to enhance connectivity, access and opportunity across the region.
For more information on LCRT, visit lowcountryrapidtransit.com. For more information on CARTA Now & Next, visit bcdcogconnects.com/cartanowandnext.