Free bus service offered to MUSC
family
by
Heather WoolwinePublic Relations
People in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia do it. Now MUSC employees can do it too, for free.
MUSC
and the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA)
partnered Oct. 10 to provide MUSC students, faculty, and staff with
added buses for the MUSC Hagood park and ride system, as well as
signing a deal that allows anyone with an MUSC badge to ride any
regular route, any time, for free.“There are several benefits to MUSC with this deal,” said John Runyon, Business Services. “They were able to ramp up quickly because they already have the equipment, they have advantages in obtaining federal funding, and the added benefit of access to the whole CARTA system for all MUSC employees made the decision to proceed easy. It was a clear benefit for everyone that was hard to ignore.”
Since rolling out its new mass transit plan and doubling the number of routes serving the Charleston metropolitan areas, CARTA now has a stable operating system thanks to the approved half-cent sales tax. In 2006, it will add additional routes and services.
“The City of Charleston encouraged us to work with MUSC and we’ve been very appreciative of their help and support in establishing neighborhood routes and improving access to public transportation,” said Howard Chapman, executive director of CARTA. “Why not team up with MUSC and further extend our services? Involving MUSC, The College of Charleston, Roper, and the numerous other business activities and schools concentrated in that particular area of town is part of a cohesive transportation plan that will establish a coordinated system so we can go further in serving the community’s need for mass transit.”
The added number of riders with the new medical shuttle route will also enhance CARTA’s ability to acquire federal funding for equipment and upgrades, as it is the only federally-designated public transportation system in Charleston.
Numerous benefits are associated with public transportation including a marked decrease in traffic and congestion, safer pedestrian areas and neighborhoods, less stress over locating a parking space, and for all of those feeling the recent jump in gas prices, spending less money on gas.
The deal allows MUSC to supplement its current bus system with a high-quality system accustomed to the needs of people who use public transportation. “MUSC has a significant investment in our shuttle service and there are advantages to hanging onto our own fleet,” Runyon said. “We will continue to evaluate our fleet but don’t see a time when we won’t have our own buses. We have some particular niches to fill that are outside what we would expect CARTA to agree to.
“In the last three years, the number of people using the Hagood rider system went from 1,800 to 3,000, without any significant changes in the employment base or enrollment. The demand for on-campus parking remains maxed out, so the shuttle system needs to grow to accommodate additional riders.”
In addition to the numerous enhancements and changes, CARTA will also incorporate an express route service beginning in early 2006. “We are currently seeking property for our commuter park-and-ride lots and our operator is gearing up by training and hiring new staff,” Chapman said.
When the CARTA Express Route is established, MUSC students, faculty, and staff can ride for one month free of charge. After the one month trial, riders can purchase express route passes at a cost equal to the difference between the basic CARTA charge of $1.25 per ride and the express route cost.
“MUSC is still developing plans to take advantage of the express route,” Runyon said. “There is an advantage to reducing the number of cars parking on campus and it would take pressure off the parking system. We’re encouraging people to try it out and see if it’s something that works for them. It would be great if everyone used CARTA so valuable land for parking areas could be dedicated to infrastructure needed for students, patients, faculty, and staff.”
College of Charleston (CofC) students began riding CARTA free of charge in the summer of 2003. “We’ve had a great experience by inviting CofC students to ride CARTA,” said Peter Tecklenberg, CARTA. “It’s easy for them to see the benefits, as evidenced by this letter to the editor (see below).”
“One of the things we tried to do with our new plan is to become more efficient and timely, with the addition of more routes, buses coming more frequently, and extensive job training for our drivers who are our ambassadors to the public,” Chapman said. “All the buses have constant radio contact so if there is a need to transfer passengers, it is easily done. The radios also enable direct contact with numerous police departments and agencies, and there are five cameras on every bus.”
“Our buses are clean and people are often impressed and surprised at how nice they are,” Tecklenberg said. “Our drivers are courteous and many have been with CARTA for more than 10 years. They have good driving records, know the routes well and are more cordial than people realize. There are plenty of seasoned riders who can help new riders, and drivers are happy to get people where they need to go.”
“The cost to fill up an average gas tank right now is in the area of $40. A 31-day pass for the bus is $31.25. Not to mention that insurance rates take into account how much time you spend in your car, and calculate that as a greater risk for an accident, therefore higher premiums. It’s a direct savings,” Chapman said.
The CARTA Medical Shuttle will operate Monday through Friday during peak times of transit from 6:36 a.m. to 8:54 a.m., and then resume from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The shuttle will not operate on Thanksgiving and the Friday afterward, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day. Any other holiday or emergency closures will be negotiated as they occur.
The CARTA Medical Shuttle is independent of the existing MUSC Shuttle. MUSC’s existing bus routes, capacities and schedules are not affected by the new service. It simply gives staff and students more choices on how to get to campus, whether from home or from the MUSC Parking System.
Medical Shuttle Bus Stops
6:36 to 8:54 a.m. and 2:30 to 8 p.m.
Hagood Parking Lot Shelter Jonathan Lucas Bus Shelter
Front of Harborview Tower President at Parking Garage II*
Lockwood Parking Lot Shelter Horizon Street at Fishbourne
Family Medicine on Calhoun* Hagood Parking Lot Shelter
Jonathan Lucas Bus Shelter Front of Harborview Tower
President at Parking Garage II* Lockwood Parking Lot Shelter
Horizon Street at Fishbourne Family Medicine on Calhoun*
Hagood Parking Lot Shelter Jonathan Lucas Bus Shelter
*As requested
Letter to Editor: Post and Courier
Thursday, Sept. 22, 2005
A pleasant surprise
I recently rode CARTA for the first time. I live in West Ashley and attend the College of Charleston.
The departure from Citadel Mall was punctual, and I also received a free newspaper. I saw lots of things that I never saw before because I was always driving. It was a very pleasant ride of only 30 minutes. Not only did I not have to buy gas, I didn’t have to play hide-and-seek with the meter maids all day. It’s much safer than driving myself. Just let an SUV go up against a city bus.
And if you’re a student, it’s free. So tell your children and friends who are students about this great way to not spend their money on gas.
If you don’t know how to use the bus system, just call 747-0922 and they will assist you in finding a bus stop and time. Once you get on the bus, they have plenty of maps and schedules. Don’t let the unknown prevent you from enjoying this pleasant experience and from saving you some of that precious gas money. Have fun.
—Allen Vance
315 Tucker Drive
Friday, Oct. 14, 2005
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