CARTA Bus Schedule: Routes, Times & Stops
CARTA bus schedule can mean different official transit systems. The two most common meanings are Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority in Tennessee and Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority in South Carolina.
This guide helps you choose the correct CARTA agency, find routes, read bus times, check fares, use live bus tools, understand stops, and avoid boarding the wrong bus.
There Are Two Common CARTA Bus Schedule Searches
If you searched CARTA bus schedule, first choose the correct agency. Chattanooga CARTA serves Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and nearby areas in Tennessee. Charleston CARTA serves the Charleston metropolitan area in South Carolina, including regular routes, express routes, DASH, airport service, and park-and-ride connections.
Chattanooga, TN or Charleston, SC.
Use the official route page for that CARTA agency.
Check route number, name, direction, and major stops.
Cash, pass, mobile, discount, or transfer rules vary.
Use live arrival tools before walking to the stop.
CARTA Bus Schedule Guide
Which CARTA Bus Schedule Do You Need?
The name CARTA appears in more than one official transit agency. Use this comparison before opening a route schedule.
| CARTA agency | Official website | Area served | What riders usually need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority | gocarta.org | Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and surrounding Tennessee-area service. | Fixed routes, CARTA GO, Downtown Shuttle, North Shore Shuttle, St. Elmo/Incline Shuttle, Bus Tracker, fares, and route PDFs. |
| Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority | ridecarta.com | Charleston metropolitan area, including downtown Charleston, North Charleston, West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant, airport, express routes, and DASH. | Regular routes, express routes, DASH routes, Beach Reach, live transit map, Transit app, fares, transfers, and visitor connections. |
CARTA Routes List: Chattanooga and Charleston
Use the route list below to identify the correct route family. Then open the official schedule because exact first bus, last bus, weekend pattern, and stop times vary by route.
Chattanooga CARTA Routes
Chattanooga CARTA lists fixed routes, CARTA GO, paratransit, and shuttle service. The system route page notes a live August schedule and an official system map effective in 2026.
Charleston CARTA Routes
Charleston CARTA publishes regular routes, express routes, a seasonal Beach Reach Shuttle, free DASH routes, and a Downtown Connector. Use the route brochure links for exact stop times.
How to Read CARTA Bus Times Correctly
CARTA schedules are not one universal timetable. Each route has its own timepoints, operating days, first trips, last trips, direction labels, and transfer points. Use the official route schedule for the specific route you plan to ride.
| Schedule question | Chattanooga CARTA | Charleston CARTA | Rider action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where do I find times? | Open Routes/Schedules, select the route, then use the route PDF or schedule page. | Open Maps & Schedules, choose the route brochure, and check the listed primary stops and stop times. | Do not use a city-wide service span as your route time. Use your route and direction. |
| Are weekday and weekend times different? | Many routes separate weekday, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday notes. | Charleston lists general fixed-route hours, but riders must check individual route schedules for specific service times. | Check weekday, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday schedule separately. |
| How early should I arrive? | The rider guide advises getting to the bus stop a few minutes early and checking the destination sign. | Use the route brochure or live map, then allow extra time for downtown, airport, transfers, and express routes. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early; use 10–15 minutes for terminals, airport, transfers, or unfamiliar stops. |
| Is live arrival guaranteed? | Bus Tracker provides estimated arrivals, but predictions can change if a vehicle is delayed or stops transmitting data. | Use the CARTA Live Transit Map or Transit app for real-time location support. | Treat live arrival as a prediction, not a guarantee. |
CARTA Bus Fare: Chattanooga vs Charleston
Fare is another place where riders make mistakes. CARTA fare rules are not the same in Chattanooga and Charleston. Use the fare page for the agency operating your trip.
Exact change is required. The fare box does not provide change. Mobile payment is available through Token Transit.
Children 5 and under ride free with a paying passenger. Veterans and some students may ride free with proper eligibility.
The 24-hour unlimited pass can be loaded or purchased on a card; check current fare page for card and reload rules.
Fare boxes accept bills and coins. Have exact change because drivers cannot provide change.
Some passes can be used on Express with an up-charge. Check whether your route is regular, express, DASH, or seasonal.
Mobile passes are available through Token Transit. Transfers are listed as no charge within the valid time window.
CARTA Stops: Use Direction, Stop ID, and Major Landmark
Bus stop location matters. A route may run both directions on the same corridor, but the return stop can be across the road or at a different bay. Use official maps and stop pins, not just the route number.
Helpful CARTA Map Starting Points
Use these maps only for location context. Official CARTA route maps and live trackers should still be used for exact schedules, active vehicles, route detours, and stop times.
Useful if you need Chattanooga CARTA customer service, fare-card help, or route system context.
Useful if you need Charleston CARTA pass support, route information, or North Charleston transit context.
Scheduled Time vs Live Arrival
Scheduled time is the planned timetable. Live arrival is a same-day prediction based on vehicle location or real-time information where available. Traffic, detours, cancellations, weather, events, equipment problems, and operator availability can change live arrival.
Use Chattanooga Bus Tracker or Charleston CARTA Live Transit Map / Transit app.
Pick the exact route number and route name.
Match the destination sign, terminal, or corridor.
Use stop name, map pin, stop ID, or nearby landmark.
Check again before leaving because predictions can change.
Check CARTA Alerts Before You Leave
Bus routes can be affected by construction, downtown events, weather, road closures, stop removals, holiday schedules, and temporary detours. Never assume an old screenshot or search result reflects today’s service.
CARTA Accessibility and Paratransit Checks
Accessibility depends on both the vehicle and the stop. A route may use accessible buses, but a specific stop can still be difficult because of curb conditions, slope, construction, snow, sidewalk blockage, or temporary relocation.
How to Ride CARTA Without Confusion
- Confirm whether you need Chattanooga CARTA or Charleston CARTA.
- Open the official route page, not only a Google snippet.
- Check the route number and route name together.
- Choose weekday, Saturday, Sunday, or holiday schedule carefully.
- Use the correct direction, terminal, or destination sign.
- Find the stop pin, stop name, or stop ID before walking.
- Check fare, pass, cash, and transfer rules before boarding.
- Have exact cash or mobile/pass payment ready.
- Arrive 5–10 minutes early; use more time for airport, express, transfer, or unfamiliar stops.
- Recheck live arrival and alerts shortly before leaving.
Official CARTA Schedule and Fare Sources
Use these pages for the final answer before riding. Third-party apps can help with discovery, but the operating CARTA agency controls the official schedule, fare, and alert information.
Use for Chattanooga system map, individual route pages, route PDFs, and current route schedule references.
Open Chattanooga routesUse for estimated vehicle arrival times and selected bus location information.
Open Chattanooga Bus TrackerUse for adult fare, reduced fare, student rules, veterans, CARTA GO, Care-a-Van, and pass pricing.
Open Chattanooga faresUse for how to ride, bus stop signs, destination signs, exact fare, and boarding instructions.
Open rider guideUse for regular routes, express routes, DASH, Beach Reach, route brochures, and the live transit map.
Open Charleston routesUse for fixed route fare, express fare, transfers, passes, Token Transit, senior fare, disabled fare, and student rules.
Open Charleston faresUse for airport Route 11, Amtrak/Greyhound connections, accessibility, visitor transit tips, and real-time tracking guidance.
Open visitor guideUse for route-times guidance, general service hours, holiday service, senior fare, weather policy, and operations information.
Open CARTA FAQsCARTA Bus Schedule FAQs
What is the CARTA bus schedule?
The CARTA bus schedule depends on which CARTA agency you mean. Chattanooga CARTA and Charleston CARTA are different systems with different routes, fares, live tools, and service areas.
How do I find the correct CARTA bus route?
First choose the correct city: Chattanooga, Tennessee or Charleston, South Carolina. Then open that agency’s official route page, choose the route number and route name, and confirm direction and stop.
Where can I see CARTA bus times?
Use Chattanooga CARTA Routes/Schedules or Charleston CARTA Maps & Schedules. For stop-specific arrival estimates, use Chattanooga Bus Tracker or Charleston CARTA’s live transit map/Transit app.
What time does CARTA start running?
Start times vary by city, route, weekday, weekend, and holiday. Charleston CARTA publishes general fixed-route service hours, but riders are still advised to check individual route schedules for specific times.
What time is the last CARTA bus?
The last CARTA bus depends on the route, direction, stop, service day, and agency. Always check the last trip from your actual stop, not only from the route terminal.
How much is the CARTA bus fare?
Chattanooga CARTA lists a $1.50 adult one-way fixed-route cash fare. Charleston CARTA lists a $2.00 fixed-route one-way fare and a $3.50 Express one-way fare. Always verify the latest fare page before riding.
Can I pay cash on CARTA buses?
Both systems publish cash fare information, but exact-change rules apply. Drivers generally cannot make change, so check the agency fare page and prepare cash, pass, or mobile payment before boarding.
Does CARTA have a live bus tracker?
Chattanooga CARTA offers Bus Tracker for updated arrival information on selected routes. Charleston CARTA offers a live transit map and recommends real-time tracking tools such as the Transit app.
Are CARTA buses accessible?
Chattanooga CARTA states its buses are wheelchair accessible with audio and visual stop technology. Charleston CARTA lists accessible buses with wheelchair lifts, kneeling buses, priority seating, and mobility-device support.
How early should I arrive for a CARTA bus?
Arrive 5–10 minutes early for most CARTA local trips. Use 10–15 minutes for airport service, express routes, transfers, downtown stops, unfamiliar stops, or when buying/loading fare.
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