News
The COMET and The University of South Carolina Announce New Contract
Partnership Will strengthen the transportation system in Columbia (June 29, 2020) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) and the University of South Carolina (UofSC) announced a new contract that will better serve the students of the university and unify and strengthen the transportation system in ...
THE COMET, COMMUNITY PARTNERS LAUNCH TRIBUTE HONORING CIVIL RIGHTS ICON
(June 22, 2020) Eastover, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET), along with Columbia SC 63, Historic Columbia, Richland Library and Midlands area municipalities launched a tribute honoring local civil rights icon, Sarah Mae Flemming this morning at the Richland Library Eastover Branch, in The COMET’s new ...
THE COMET TO PROVIDE SERVICE RECOGNITION BONUS TO ITS ESSENTIAL WORKERS
(June 19, 2020) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced that it will provide current employees with a “Service Recognition Bonus” for delivering critical service to community members relying on transit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The $200 weekly bonus will be distributed over a 10-week ...
IMPROVED AND UPGRADED COMET CENTRAL REOPENS DOWNTOWN WITH MANDATORY MASK REQUIREMENT
(June 16, 2020) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) reopened its downtown transit hub today with capital upgrades and a mandatory mask requirement. The hub, now known as COMET Central, has been closed since late March when the governor’s state of emergency and COVID-19 safety ...
Beginning June 15, Riders Must Wear Masks or Face Coverings on The COMET
(June 11, 2020) Columbia, SC – The COMET announced today that beginning Monday, June 15, it will be requiring masks or face coverings for all persons riding any of The COMET buses or entering any COMET facility. According to John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO of The COMET, the organization will offer ...
The COMET Awards New Service Contract For Fixed Route And Paratransit Programs
(June 1, 2020) Columbia, SC – The COMET announced today that The COMET Board has voted to award the Fixed Route and Paratransit Program Contract to RATP Dev effective July 1, 2020. The present five-year contract, currently held by Transdev Services, Inc of Lombard, Illinois, will expire on June 30, ...
The COMET Changes Schedule to Enhanced Saturday Level of Service Beginning May 20
(UPDATED 05/18/20 at 6:14 p.m.) (May 18, 2020) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced schedule changes from an enhanced Sunday level of service to a Saturday level of service with added routes and increased frequency to accommodate peak demand times. There will also be ...
The COMET Earns High Marks On Financial Audits, Receives Award For Excellence
(May 11, 2020) Columbia, SC – For two consecutive years, The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) has received commendation on its financial audits. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Central Midlands ...
AT THE COMET, COMMUNICATING TAKES CENTER STAGE DURING PANDEMIC
(May 8, 2020) Columbia, SC – It has not been business as usual at Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET). Pamela Bynoe-Reed reflected to last fall when she joined as Manager of Marketing and Public Information. No one could have predicted the current state of business due to the ...
The COMET Launches Fresh Food Pilot Partnership with Rare Variety Farms
(May 7, 2020) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced a new pilot partnership with Rare Variety Farms. The partnership was developed to help overcome food deserts in underserved areas. Beginning __________, the pilot will serve residents of The Colony Apartments and Northepoint Apartments with ...
The COMET Partners with Senior Resources, Others, to Deliver Meals to Elderly
(April 29, 2020) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) is partnering with Senior Resources to get much needed nutrition to the elderly in Richland County during the current pandemic. The COMET will deliver meals to approximately 100 seniors per week. The first deliveries were made ...
The COMET Announces Schedule Changes to Enhanced Sunday Level of Service
(April 15, 2020) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced further schedule changes from a Saturday level of service to a Sunday level of service with added on-demand service for areas not served on the Sunday routes. The changes will go into effect on Monday, ...