News

(September 2, 2020) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced today that applications are now being accepted for The COMET Academy, a leadership development program for those interested in understanding how public transit works. The COMET hosts the program at no charge to attendees. Due ...

(July 10, 2020) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced today that a driver of Transportation Care Services (TCS), which operates DART and is a subcontractor of RATP Dev USA, Inc., has tested positive for coronavirus during the routine mandatory testing of all employees. The ...

 (June 30, 2020) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) has partnered with the City of Columbia’s Complete Count Census Committee to help spread the word about the importance of completing the 2020 Census. The groups will host a live virtual press conference, today at noon ...

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 ...

 (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 ...

(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 ...

(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 ...

(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 ...

(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, ...

(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 ...

(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 ...

(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 ...