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Carvel Car RentalCar Rental Near MeSouth CarolinaRichland CountyColumbiaEarlewoodCar Rental in Lucius RoadDART
DART ico

DART
- 3613 Lucius Rd, Columbia, SC 29201

Handicapped transportation service ★2.0

3613 Lucius Rd, Columbia, SC 29201, USA

2.0
Very Kind & Friendly Reservationists When I Call To Make To My Ride Reservations For My Doctor's & Medical Appointments I've Been With DART Since 1992 Thank You Carrie, Thelma, & Janice Y'all Are The Best Reservationists I Tell People Who Use DART Frequently Such As Myself Work With DART & They'll Work With You & Have Patience Because They're Doing Their Best To Serve People With Disabilities & The Elderly Thank You To The DART Operators Y'all Have The Hardest Job Of All Too! & I Know That Driving Us Is Not Easy At Times So That's Why I Work With Everyone At DART When It Comes To My Transportation Needs Because They Will Do Their Best To Try & Accommedate My Travel Needs When Needed THANKS DART! Stephanie L Hammonds - Stephanie Hammonds
DART Overview Photos Intro Detail Location Reviews

DART Photos

DART Picture 1DART Picture 2DART Picture 3

DART Introduce

Introduction / Overview

For residents of the South Carolina Midlands, particularly in Richland and Lexington Counties, DART—which stands for Dial-A-Ride Transit—is an indispensable and essential service, providing critical mobility for eligible individuals. While the term "car rental" might typically refer to traditional vehicle hire, DART offers a specialized and vital form of transportation: a handicapped transportation service and ADA complementary paratransit service. It operates as a shared-ride, origin-to-destination service, ensuring that people with disabilities who are unable to use The COMET's fixed-route buses or access a bus stop due to their disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), can still access public transit.

DART is operated by The COMET, the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority, and is designed to complement the fixed-route bus network. This service is not limited in purpose or frequency, meaning riders can use it for work, medical appointments, school, meetings, shopping, and more, offering true independence within the service area. The mission is clear: to provide reliable, accessible, and affordable transportation to a segment of the South Carolina community that often faces significant barriers to mobility.

This is a curb-to-curb, advance-reservation system, meaning that DART vehicles will pick up and drop off riders at specific locations, rather than fixed bus stops. This level of personalized service is paramount for individuals with mobility challenges. The service operates seven days a week, with hours generally aligned with The COMET fixed route services in the area.

Location and Accessibility

The administrative and operational base for DART, as part of The COMET, is centrally located in Columbia, SC. The official address is a key hub for the transit authority, where administrative processes like eligibility applications and ID card services are handled.

  • Address: 3613 Lucius Rd, Columbia, SC 29201, USA

The accessibility features of DART are central to its service model and mission. The entire fleet is designed to accommodate riders with disabilities.

  • Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The facility, which is The COMET Administration building, has an accessible entrance.
  • Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Accessible parking is provided at the Lucius Road location for visitors conducting business, such as processing applications or purchasing passes in person.
  • Wheelchair Accessible Seating: More importantly, all DART vehicles themselves are fully equipped with wheelchair lifts and designated securement areas, typically accommodating up to two to four mobility devices. The operators are trained to provide assistance with normal boarding, exiting, lift operation, and mobility device securement.

Services Offered

DART offers a specialized set of transportation and related mobility support services to the residents of Richland and Lexington Counties in South Carolina.

  • Origin-to-Destination Paratransit: Providing curb-to-curb service for ADA-eligible individuals, taking them directly from their pickup point to their requested destination within the designated service area.
  • Advance Reservation System: Trips must be reserved, and can typically be made for next-day service up to seven days in advance. Reservations are taken over the phone, with a dedicated voicemail for after-hours booking requests.
  • ADA Eligibility Certification: The service requires a formal application process to determine if an individual meets the ADA criteria for paratransit, which is the “ticket to ride” this specialized service.
  • Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Rides Free: An essential benefit, one Personal Care Attendant (PCA) is permitted to ride at no charge when traveling with an ADA-certified customer, providing necessary support.
  • Shared-Ride Service: To maintain affordability and efficiency, DART is a shared-ride system where multiple passengers traveling in the same general direction are grouped together.
  • Visitor Service: Visitors to Richland and Lexington Counties who are certified for ADA paratransit in their home area can use DART for up to 21 days by simply calling to be added to the client list.
  • Travel Training Programs: While DART is for those who cannot use fixed routes, The COMET offers free Travel Training to help individuals learn how to ride the fixed-route transit buses for greater independence and lower-cost transit.
  • Service Area: Transportation is provided within a three-quarters (3/4) of a mile radius of either side of a non-express fixed route operated by The COMET in Richland and Lexington Counties.

Features and Highlights

DART is characterized by its dedication to serving the mobility-limited population of the Central Midlands, offering features that directly address the unique needs of its ridership.

  • ADA Compliance: The service is mandated and structured to be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring a non-discriminatory and accessible transportation option.
  • Low, Fixed Fare: The one-way fare is kept at a low, fixed rate (typically $4.00, though fares should always be confirmed with the provider), making regular, essential travel affordable for those on fixed incomes. Ten-Ride passes are also available for purchase.
  • Highly Praised Reservation Staff and Operators: As noted by customer reviews, the reservationists and operators are often cited for their kindness, patience, and dedication, especially when working with long-term customers with complex travel needs. The operators, in particular, are recognized for the challenges of safely driving and assisting passengers with disabilities.
  • Full Vehicle Accessibility: The comprehensive accessibility of the fleet, including wheelchair lifts and securement areas, is a fundamental highlight, removing the physical barriers present in standard public transit.

Contact Information

For South Carolina residents needing to make reservations, inquire about eligibility, or communicate with DART, the primary contact details are as follows. Note that reservations and administrative inquiries may use different lines.

  • Reservation and Information Phone: (803) 255-7123
  • TDD/TTY: 711 (through the Relay Service for reservations)
  • Mobile Phone (General): +1 803-255-7123
  • Address (Administrative/Operational Hub): 3613 Lucius Rd, Columbia, SC 29201, USA

Reservation hours are generally Monday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but customers should confirm current hours and policies directly with the service.

What Is Worth Choosing

For residents in the Columbia, SC area who qualify under the ADA, DART is not merely an option—it is an absolutely vital and often irreplaceable service. The choice to use DART is centered on necessity, accessibility, and affordability. What makes DART worth choosing over other forms of private or taxi-based transportation is the guarantee of ADA compliance, specialized vehicle equipment, and trained staff who understand the unique needs of people with disabilities.

The commitment to a shared-ride, low-fare model allows eligible South Carolina citizens to maintain a schedule of routine life activities—doctor's visits, shopping, employment—that would otherwise be financially or logistically impossible. The glowing customer testimonials that praise the "Kind & Friendly Reservationists" and patient operators underscore a service culture built around compassion and dedication, which is crucial for a service of this nature.

It is also important for new users to heed the advice of long-time riders: "Work With DART & They'll Work With You & Have Patience." While one review noted frustrations with scheduling reliability, which is a common challenge for shared-ride demand-response services, the established and legally mandated nature of DART, backed by The COMET, means it is the most dependable, safe, and accessible option available for paratransit in the region. The fact that a one-way trip is only a few dollars, and a PCA rides free, demonstrates an unparalleled value that private transportation cannot match. For those who need it, DART is the primary key to mobility and community participation in South Carolina’s Central Midlands.

DART Details

  • Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible seating

DART Location

DART

3613 Lucius Rd, Columbia, SC 29201, USA

DART Reviews

An average rating of ★2.6 from 42 user reviews.

callbusdriverpickupquestions

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

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