News

Service Announcements
Posted on Aug 29 2023

COMET TO OFFER INCREASED SERVICE TO LOWER RICHLAND

(August 29, 2023) Columbia, SC – More transit service will soon be available to residents in the Lower Richland community. The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced that Route 47 will change from a Reflex route to offering Fixed route service beginning Monday, September 25. Per policy, The ...

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Posted on Apr 04 2023

COMET ANNOUNCES EXPRESS ROUTE SERVICE CHANGES, EFFECTIVE MAY 7

(April 4, 2023) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced that as of May 7, 2023, it would make service changes to Routes 93x and 44x. Route 93x, an express route from Newberry, will be discontinued in its present form due to low ridership. Some ...

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Posted on Jan 05 2023

Upcoming Service Change - Jan. 15

The service change taking place on January 15th is mainly centered around adjusting timepoints on eight of the lowest performing routes in the system. The change also reintroduces Soda Cap Rt. 2 “East” with minor routing changes. Soda Cap Rt. 1 "West" also sees some minor routing changes as well ...

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Posted on Nov 02 2022

CATCH THE COMET FOR FREE TO VOTE ON TUESDAY NOV. 8!

(November 2, 2022) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) wants to help riders exercise their right to vote. The COMET fixed route buses and DART services will be free for those going to vote in the Tuesday, November 8 elections. “We realize how important it ...

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Posted on Jun 24 2022

COMET SUSPENDS SERVICES IN BATESBURG-LEESVILLE BEGINNING JULY 1

(June 24, 2022) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced that as of July 1, 2022, it would suspend Route 97, which provides service to Batesburg-Leesville in Lexington County. The decision was made by the organization’s Board of Directors due to low ridership on the ...

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Posted on May 04 2022

COMET ROLLS OUT NEW SERVICE PLAN AIMED AT IMPROVING ON-TIME PERFORMANCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPamela Bynoe-ReedDirector of Marketing and Community Affairs/PIO, The COMET803.255.7139 – o803.834.1811 - [email protected] (May 4, 2022) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced the rollout of a service plan aimed at improving on-time performance of its fixed route system. Beginning Sunday May 8, ...

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Posted on Jan 03 2022

Service Announcement for Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Due to the Inauguration of the 45th Mayor of the City of Columbia, SC and Swearing In Ceremony for City Council Members, Laurel Street will be closed Tuesday, January 4 from Noon – 6 p.m. COMET buses will therefore line up on Sumter Street. Welcome to our new Mayor Rickenmann ...

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Posted on Nov 12 2021

CATCH THE COMET FOR FREE TO VOTE ON TUESDAY NOV. 16!

Runoff Elections include Columbia Mayoral Race, City Council At-Large   (November 12, 2021) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) wants to help riders exercise their right to vote. The COMET fixed route buses and DART services will be free for those going to vote in ...

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Posted on Oct 22 2021

LIFELINE 31-DAY TRANSIT PASS NOW AVAILABLE TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS IN RICHLAND COUNTY

(October 22, 2021) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced a new Richland County Lifeline Program which will provide transit passes for low-income residents. For those who need social services, health care, employment and quality of life opportunities, The COMET will offer 31-day bus passes ...

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Posted on Mar 30 2021

THE COMET TO RESUME FARES APRIL 12, SODA CAP $1.00 TO RIDE

(March 30, 2021) Columbia, SC - Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced today that beginning Monday, April 12, fares will resume for the fixed route buses and the DART paratransit services. The downtown connector, Soda Cap, will no longer be free to ride, but will be $1.00 for ...

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Posted on Feb 04 2021

THE COMET LAUNCHES “DON’T MISS YOUR SHOT” CAMPAIGN TODAY

Midlands Transit Organization Informs and Transports People to Vaccine Locations (February 4, 2021) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) launched a comprehensive campaign to inform and transport Midlands residents to major vaccination sites in Richland and Lexington Counties. “Don’t Miss Your Shot” seeks to connect ...

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Posted on Feb 02 2021

Park and Ride Lots on Route 44X - Lower Richland Express and Route 93X - I-26 Express

The COMET has park and ride lots available for use by The COMET riders, vanpools and carpools located throughout the service area in Richland, Lexington, Sumter and Newberry Counties available at the following locations: Along the I-26 Corridor • Newberry - 2808 Main St, Newberry, SC 29108 (25 spaces) next ...

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The COMET in the Community

Did you know The COMET hosts events at COMET Central throughout the year and attends various events in the community? We love to bring people together through the support of local community events. During these events, you can learn more about riding the COMET and even hop on a bus during one of our lounge experiences. Plus, we usually bring freebies, promo items and more. Check out our upcoming calendar!
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Read The COMET Newsletters

Stay up to date on everything happening at The COMET by subscribing to our online newsletter. You can also find printed newsletters on the buses or at COMET Central.
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The COMET Dont Miss Your Shot tri-fold brochure