A new bus route to Charleston, debuting Dec. 12, will take people to new jobs opening up in that area, including the new Boeing plant in North Charleston.
During a public meeting Monday night, officials with Coast Rapid Transit Authority said they are ready to roll out their new route from Georgetown to Charleston by next month.
The route is coming at the right time, since Boeing just announced that they were coming to the area.
According to the Boeing Web site, North Charleston will be home to a new 787 Dreamliner assembly plant.
The plant is expected to be complete by 2011.
“It’s just perfect, we are very excited about it,’’ said Yvette Jefferson, spokeswoman for Coast RTA. “We are pleased and we believe it will bring people to Georgetown.’’
Christmas shopping
The debut of the new bus route is just in time for the Christmas shopping season, RTA officials said.
Shoppers can hop a bus and go to spots in Myrtle Beach and Georgetown, or Charleston, and have a ride home in the evening.
During Monday’s presentation, employees of RTA flashed pictures of The Market Common, Broadway at the Beach and the Historical District in Georgetown.
RTA officials said tourists, veterans needing to access medical appointments and older residents need transportation to Charleston.
Adults will pay $25 for a round-trip ticket and $15 for one-way trips. Students can pay $15 for a round-trip ticket and $10 for one way. Children under 12 ride free with an adult fare, RTA officials said.
Some adjustments
The exact schedules for the new bus route are still being adjusted, according to RTA officials
The bus to Charleston will run on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Most of the Thursday service will be for medical appointments at the Medical University of South Carolina and the Veterans Administration hospital.
Buses running to Charleston on Thursdays will take riders to their medical appointments, then pick them up in the evening.
Three different Saturday trips could provide transportation to the Palace Theater in Myrtle Beach or walking tours in Charleston.
The new bus route is meant to link riders with the Charleston Rapid Transit system, RTA officials said.
A new bus stop will be added at the corner of Woodland and Front Streets, to allow more downtown riders to access the new route to Charleston.