CARTA bus route cuts causing a stir (updated x3: NAACP getting involved)

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Updates at the bottom; First reporting September 2.

After being put on hold proposed cuts to the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority's 106 Otranto/Stall and the CARTA@NIGHT bus routes are back on the table as are trimming some holiday and Sunday route service.

The Post and Courier has a nice rundown on the latest development, read it here.

Update September 16: And at last night's board meeting those services (mentioned below) were cut effective October 17.

Fares were also recently bumped up 25 cents to $1.75 as the authority looks to make up a $1 million budget shortfall. 

Live 5 News has a nice video report on how unhappy those affected by the cuts are; see it here.

Update October 18: Upset over the loss of the CARTA@Night service, more than 250 food and beverage, hotel, retail and nursing home workers have signed a petition urging the bus system to continue the service.

The planned route cut went into effect Sunday night, along with the termination of Route 106 Otranto/Stall and the reduction of service on 20 routes serving North Charleston, downtown, West Ashley and Mount Pleasant.

The Post and Courier has an article on the disappointment and disruption that the loss of CARTA routes is causing; read it here.

Read all about the transport group on our CARTA topic page.

Update October 29:

The Charleston branch of the NAACP has voiced their concern over the recent route cuts and is plans to schedule a meeting with CARTA Executive Director Howard Chapman in an effort to discuss the issues that have arisen in Charleston's black community.

Despite the cuts being strictly a budgeting issue, we'll see how this meeting pans out.

The Post and Courier has the story.

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