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CARTA and mayors press for larger transit share to fund Lowcountry Rapid Transit and electrification

Charleston County Council (Transportation Sales Tax engagement) · February 5, 2026

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Summary

CARTA and municipal leaders described Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) as a $650 million project with 60% federal FTA funding and urged a larger TST allocation for transit (some council members pressed for 20–25% for transit rather than the staff-proposed 15%).

CARTA officials at the Feb. 4 briefing emphasized transit investments as central to long-term mobility and regional growth and argued a higher TST allocation for transit would be needed to support services and the Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) project.

CARTA and its chair outlined plans to modernize the bus fleet (including battery-electric buses), expand on-demand paratransit alternatives, and support LCRT — described as roughly a $650 million capital project with 60% expected federal FTA support and roughly 40% to be funded through the TST. CARTA staff and municipal leaders argued transit funding stabilizes operations and enables transit-oriented development in key corridors.

Council reaction varied: several members said the staff-proposed 15% transit allocation was too low to support long-term growth; one council member called for a 25% transit target to position the region for 2045 demand, while others urged balancing transit with roadway, greenbelt and resilience priorities.

Why it matters: Funding decisions on the TST will shape whether LCRT and expanded bus services are fully supported by local revenues or delayed. Transit advocates said upfront local investments will be needed to leverage federal grants and to deliver service expansions that reduce traffic and support housing and economic growth along transit corridors.

What’s next: Council members asked staff for more detailed modeling showing how different transit-allocation percentages would affect operating and capital capacity across the TST planning horizon; the topic will be part of the next meeting and the public-comment period.