The COMET has launched new bus schedules and route adjustments this week, aiming to improve reliability, consistency and on-time performance for riders.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Riders who use The COMET may notice changes to their daily commute as new bus schedules and route adjustments take effect this week.
The COMET says the updates are meant to improve reliability and help buses run more consistently on time.
Officials say the improved changes come after months of reviewing data and listening to feedback from both riders and bus operators.
“We have, as a staff, just been poring over a lot of data and a lot of information and talking with our bus operators, talking with passengers,” said Maurice Pearl, executive director and CEO of The COMET. “Seeing how can we make the service better, how can we make it more effective and timely.”
As part of the update, some buses will no longer stop at certain timed checkpoints along their routes. Those changes affect Routes 4, 11, 12, 21, 22, 32, 42, 45, 57, 61, 75, 77, 83, 88, 96, 101, 301, 401, and 801.
On other routes, buses may now arrive more or less often throughout the day, including Routes 22, 57, 61, 88, and 96.
Several routes will also have updated departure times.
Pearl says the goal is to make service more predictable for riders.
“We want to make sure that we’re on time and on a consistent basis,” Pearl said. “Anybody that wants to catch the bus and ride the bus knows when we’re going to be there.”
For riders like Tysean Hanes, who is new to using The COMET, reliability is especially important during colder months. “Now that it’s wintertime and it’s cold out, so that will be a lot better, I’m looking forward to it,” Hanes said.
Hanes says public transportation plays a critical role for many people in the community. “People got lives, hey, got jobs,” he said. “Not everyone can drive, so people rely on the bus.”
Other riders, like Toni Dunbar, recently started taking The COMET to get to college and see the changes as a positive step.
“When they’re making changes to adjust the times so people get where they need to go early or on time, I think that’s a good thing,” Dunbar said.
Information about the changes are available online and riders are encouraged to review updates ahead of time.
“We’re excited about it,” Pearl said. “And we hope that carries over to the public as well.”