This application is for the FFY 2023 section 5339(c) low or no emission grant program in the amount of $25906730 in federal dollars for total project cost of $31834706

The Federal Transit Administration awarded Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority Inc. (CARTA) $31.834 million on December 18, 2025, under the Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs (CFDA 20.526) for the Shipwatch Square Transit and Workforce Center project.

The award funds construction of a regional passenger transit hub located at 3621 Rivers Avenue North, North Charleston, South Carolina; procurement of nine diesel-hybrid replacement buses to replace existing diesel buses; acquisition of one on-route fast bus charging device; and workforce development training delivered in partnership with SC Works Trident. The total project cost is $31.834 million, with federal funding of $25.906 million and local funding of $6.927 million from Charleston County sales tax dedicated transportation projects. Federal participation varies by component: facility and workforce development at 80 percent federal / 20 percent local; vehicle replacement at 85 percent federal / 15 percent local; and the on-route fast charging device at 90 percent federal / 10 percent local, per Section 5339 program guidance.

Performance runs from the award date through March 30, 2028, with an ultimate completion date of March 30, 2034. The facility carries a 40-year useful life. The award contains no subrecipient activities. CARTA must procure all vehicles from FTA-approved transit vehicle manufacturers, follow third-party procurement policies under FTA guidance C4220.1G, and verify that contractors do not appear on the FTA suspension and debarment list.

Activities

This project includes the construction of a 15000-square foot building to house a regional passenger transit hub and workforce center with waiting areas customer service space ticket vending and training rooms for cartas workforce. The project would include a bus platform with ten (10) bus bays four (4) on-route bus charging bays to facilitate passenger transfers. Also included in the project is the purchase of nine (9) diesel-hybrid buses to replace diesel buses one (1) on-route fast charging device and workforce workforce development training. The workforce training center consists of two (2) training rooms to support cartas current and future workforce needs as a joint development with the regional workforce center SC works trident.

Expected outcomes

The projects location on charleston countys community services hub campus will provide safe convenient access to vital health and human services job training and employment services as well as regional transit via the carta bus network and planned BRT project lowcountry rapid transit.

Intended beneficiaries

The transit center will benefit both carta and the community IT serves with safe and comfortable waiting areas efficient route transfers convenient connections to BRT real-time travel information for passengers and a covered passenger loading area. Its location on the campus of the charleston county community services hub will improve access to vital services and employment opportunities.carta will be partnering with SC works trident to support the workforce development activities for this grant. As carta continues to expand transit service in the region and launces the first BRT line in the state developing a skilled workforce to meet the agencies current and future needs is critical. Carta has been working with SC works trident to support hiring and recruitment activities particularly as IT relates to staffing operators and CDL training.