Fares
Tickets may be purchased at the CMRTA Transit Center located downtown at the corner of Sumter and Laurel Streets. Cash, checks and major credit/debit cards are accepted at this location.
There are several fare options available for CMRTA fixed route bus service:
- Standard One-Way Fare: $1.50 (Only available on the bus)
- Special Needs Fare: $0.75 (Must show a valid photo ID with Special Needs Card)
- Senior Citizens Fare: $0.75 (Must show a valid photo ID with data of birth age 65 and over)
- Agency Discount Ticket: $1.25 (Must call 255-7133 for details)
- 10 Ride Pass: $12.00
- 1 Day Pass: $3.50
- 31 Day Pass: $40.00
- Transfer: $0.25
- Zone Pass: $0.25
- Children 5 and under: FREE when accompanied by a paying adult
Single Ride, 1 Day, 10 Ride and 31 Day Passes are available at your local Piggly Wiggly store. Passes can be purchased from the Customer Service counter.
Piggly Wiggly accepts, cash, credit/debit as well as Greenbax for payment!
Passes are available from the following locations:
Store #70
3818 Devine Street
803.256.3433
Store #119
Store #132
4711 Forest Drive
803.790.0037
The Special Needs Fare is available to pre-qualified individuals during all hours of fixed route service. To receive the special needs fare, disabled riders must show a CMRTA Special Needs ID card and a valid photo ID when boarding a bus. To obtain a CMRTA Special Needs ID, contact CMRTA at (803) 255-7133 or click here to download a copy of the Special Needs ID Application.
Special Needs Card Policy
Effective Monday November 16, 2009
All Special Needs card holders are required to show a valid photo ID with their card in order to receive the discounted one-way bus fare. Special Needs cards may not be shared and may not be used to pay reduced fares for other people. Attempted abuse of Special Needs Cards shall be grounds for card cancellation.
If a Special Needs card is lost or stolen, the CMRTA will provide one (1) replacement card at no cost.
The CMRTA will charge $15.00 for a second replacement card and $40.00 for a third replacement card.
Individuals requesting a fourth replacement card (or more) will be required to reapply and the fee for each new card will be $60.00.
Second, third or more replacement cards must be picked up in person, with photo ID, at the CMRTA Administrative offices, located at
The CMRTA offices are accessible by Bus Route 6.
Click here to download an information sheet on how to pay your fare.
Individuals 65 years old and older are also eligible for the Special Needs fare. Senior citizens need only to show a valid form of identification that includes a date of birth when boarding a bus to qualify for the Special Needs Fare. In addition, all individuals bearing a valid Medicare card qualify for the Special Needs Fare.
Children
Children 5 years old or younger ride free, provided they are accompanied by a paying customer. Children under 10 are not permitted to ride the CMRTA's fixed route buses or DART services unless an adult accompanies them for the duration of their trip.
Multi-Ride Passes
Individuals may purchase 10 Ride or 31 Day Passes at the Transfer Center located at the corner of Sumter and Laurel Streets which is one block from Columbia City Hall. Tickets are available Monday-Saturday from 7AM until 7PM and Sundays from 9:30AM until 4PM.
Passes may now also be purchased from six of your local Piggly Wiggly stores.
Multi-Ride Passes are accepted on all CMRTA fixed route bus. Please take care of your multi ride passes. Lost, stolen or damaged passes will NOT be replaced. Do not bend passes. Keep cards away from magnets, water and exteme temperatures. Pass protectors are provided free of charge with the purchase of a pass.
10 Ride Passes
Passes are valid for 10 rides and expire after 1 year. These passes may be purchased on any CMRTA bus with cash. Passes can be purchased with cash or Check from Transit Center located at the corner of Laurel and Sumter St. (1745 Sumter Street Columbia SC 29201). Four local Piggly Wiggly stores also sell passes. They accept credit/debit cards as well as Greenbax for payment.
31 Day Passes
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Pass is valid for 31 days from the date of first use and expire at midnight on the 31st day.
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Pass must be validated the first time it is used by inserting it into the transfer slot in the farebox. The date of initial use and the expiration date will be printed on the back of the pass.
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For all other uses simply swipe the card in the card reader.
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Cards are encrypted with a "No Share" feature and will not be valid for more than one person.
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Transfers and Zone Passes will not be issued and are not necessary with 31 Day passes because the pass is for unlimited rides.
Transfers
Transfers are available for $.25 to persons needing to travel more than one route to reach their destination. A transfer allows you to complete a 1 way trip by changing from one bus to another without having to pay an additional fare. You must request a transfer to the connecting bus at the time you first board the bus. When you board the connecting bus, present the transfer to the driver. Transfers are valid for 2 hours. Transfers may not be used for return trips or on the same route from which they were issued.
Zone Pass
Zone Passes can be used to move into or out of a Zoned Area which includes Routes 30A, 30B, 35, 36A and 36B. . When you board your first bus pay your fare, ask for you transfer, then tell the driver you would like to buy a Zone Pass. Wait for the driver to change his screen, then insert your $0.25 into the fare box. The Zone Pass is valid for 2 hours. It is only necessary to pay for this Zone Pass when you have to transfer more than once to complete your trip.
For example: If you are coming from Cayce and would like to go to Sparkleberry Plaza board Route 28, pay your fare, take your transfer, pay $0.25 for your Zone Pass. When you reach the Transit Center use your transfer to board Route 16. When you reach the Columbia Mall use your Zone Pass to board Route 35.
If you were only going from Route 16 to Route 35 you would not need to pay for a Zone Pass. You would use your transfer to go from Route 16 to Route 35.
