Comet reactivates Newberry-to-Columbia route

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The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority has reactivated bus service from Columbia to Newberry.

The Comet route known as Route 93X – I-26 Express will operate a round trip each weekday morning and afternoon, stopping in Newberry; at the Samsung plant; in Little Mountain, Chapin and Ballentine; at Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge, the Walmart on Harbison Boulevard and Prisma Health Richland; and in downtown Columbia.

The Comet operated the route from 2003-2009, according to a news release from the transit authority, before the Newberry County on Aging operated the service from 2009-2018.

The new Route 93X includes Wi-Fi on the 22-seat bus, cell phone charging ports, security cameras, bike racks and a wheelchair lift. Passengers on the route can also sign up for a ride program in which the COMET will pay for up to four trips home a  year in case of emergency.

Fares are $4 one-way, $6 for an all-day pass, $28 for a 10-ride pass and $80 for a 31-day pass. Fares can be paid onboard the bus, at the Comet website or through the CatchTheComet app.

The route is a one-year pilot to gauge the potential of the service, according to the release. Its estimated $102,791 annual cost is funded by the Federal Transit Administration, Lexington County General Funds and Richland County Transportation Penny Tax program revenue. Schedules are available online or by calling 803-255-7100.

“The Comet is excited to implement this route and include a new group of passengers to our system,” Executive Director and CEO John Andoh said in the release. “There have been many former riders of the Newberry Express that wanted an opportunity to commute stress-free, and they lobbied hard for the re-implementation of bus service to The Comet and other governmental agencies.”

Route park-and-ride locations include the Tractor Supply in Newberry, the Little Mountain Town Center and Walmart stores in Ballentine and on Harbison Boulevard.