What started in 2020 as a tangible way to eliminate excess IOP island traffic, resident transportation and parking worries and misconceptions about public transit has exceeded all three. When the approaching summer season arrives, the CARTA Beach Reach weekend trolley shuttle service will not only expand to include Fridays, but is also anticipated to become the first choice of Mount Pleasant beach-goers to reach the sand.
“Ridership on CARTA has improved every year; last year, it was right at 900,” said IOP City Councilman and CARTA board member Jimmy Ward on April 20. “The last two Fridays, traffic has been very heavy. So, we’re hoping more people will take advantage of this free service, and not worry about having to sit in long traffic lines and then pay for parking.”
Matthew Spath, communications director with the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, which oversees CARTA, added that even with the use of only one trolley, the addition of Friday transport could “eclipse the 1,000-rider mark for the season.”
The service will begin on May 22 and run Friday-Sunday through Sept. 7, as well as on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Riders can board at stop No. 715, located behind the Belk Men’s store at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, then disembark less than 5 miles later at IOP County Park at Ocean Boulevard and 14th Avenue and take a direct path to Front Beach. Saturday shuttles run every hour from 9:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday times are from 9:40 a.m. to 5:40 p.m.
“A Friday schedule hasn’t been confirmed yet, but should be similar to Saturday,” Spath said.
If you haven’t used the service yet, both Ward and Town of Mount Pleasant Councilman Daniel Brownstein said one try will likely make you a regular rider.
“The trolley is air-conditioned and equipped with Wi-Fi, very convenient – and once you arrive on the island, there’s easy access to public restrooms and shops on Front Beach,” Ward said.
Brownstein, who has used the service several times so far, pointed out that Beach Reach is also ideal for transporting large assemblies – such as a group of about 20 middle school girls last year for his daughter’s birthday party.
“It was so convenient to meet at Towne Centre rather than to try to coordinate parking several vehicles on IOP – and the girls had a blast,” he said. “And one of the biggest misconceptions about the shuttle is that you can’t bring all of the stuff your family needs to enjoy a beach day. But you can, except for large items like surfboards.”
On the many summer days when IOP visitors number more than 20,000 and the roads tend to resemble one large parking lot, a trolley shuttle ride might make you wonder why you didn’t use it sooner.
“It also helps cut down on congestion on the IOP Connector by giving people an alternative to driving,” said TOMP Communications Manager Eric LaFontaine. “Which benefits everyone heading to and from the beach.”
By L. C. Leach III
Leave a Reply