East Cooper now has public transit options which can assist students traveling to and from school, when the existing school bus service doesn’t meet the need. Thanks to the new Google Transit online trip planning service, Students can plan their trips through the entire CARTA system online, on their Android smart phones and most other connected devices. The system can be accessed from Google Maps Transit and the www.ridecarta.com website. Iphones and Ipads currently work, but will require a new app shortly as Apple ends its relationship with Google. Learn how to use Google Transit in this video on right.
Wando High School
Wando High School begins its second full year with regular CARTA service this week. Wando now has a real bus stop with a bench and concrete pad (necessary for riders using wheelchairs) for the use of students. The #40 Trans Mount Pleasant bus makes stops at Wando once an hour before running all the way to downtown Charleston. It also links with the #401 East Cooper Connector and #402 Island Flex Bus for trips around Mount Pleasant. Tri County Link (the rural transit service) can also help students living in Awendaw and McClellenville reach Wando. Please note that while Google Transit shows a bus stop in front of the School, the stop is actually out on Carolina Park Blvd. The CARTA 40 allows students to stay after school at Wando for sports, extracurricular activities and tutoring.
Google Transit link to the next several trips from Wando High School To
- Downtown Charleston
- Mount Pleasant Town Center
- Sea Island Shopping Center / Mount Pleasant Old Village area
- James Island
College and CARTA
College Students also have public transit options. Mt. Pleasant’s new Trident Tech Campus is connected by both the #40 and #401 Routes. College of Charleston Students can reach the campus downtown on the #40 or Express and use their student IDs for free travel on CARTA. Many CofC students travel out to Mount Pleasant to Shop, visiting retailers ranging from Belks at Towne Centre to the very popular Goodwill Store at Six Mile road and N. 17. We have an entire page on how College of Charleston students can travel to the beach for free using CARTA and the #402 Island Flex Bus.
Middle Schools
For the first time all three of our East Cooper Middle Schools have CARTA service. A new Park West Stop for the 40 has been established on Highway 17 near Cario Middle School. Moultrie Middle School and the current, temporary location of Laing have service on the #401 East Cooper Connector. Our friends at the University School of the Lowcountry produced a video last year about the #401 (on left).
Family time is precious and CARTA is a tool for reclaiming some of it from the automobile, while providing a safe option for the trip home after school.
