Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority Inc.

Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority Inc., doing business as Carta, is a U.S. local government transit authority headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, that receives federal grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to operate and maintain public fixed-route transit service and procure buses, transit infrastructure, and workforce development programs serving the Charleston-North Charleston urbanized area. Carta acts exclusively as a federal grant recipient, not a federal contractor; it does not hold federal contracts, contract vehicles, or compete under set-aside categories.

Carta's federal footprint is concentrated entirely within the FTA and the Department of Transportation. The FTA has awarded Carta 53 grants (95% of the 56 total awards in the source data) under two primary federal grant programs: the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507, also known as Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Funding) and the Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs (CFDA 20.526, also known as Section 5339). Combined federal dollars obligated across all awards total $287.6 million.

Recent grant work exemplifies Carta's scope. On May 20, 2026, the FTA awarded Carta a $5 million formula grant under CFDA 20.526 for bus and bus-related equipment replacement serving the Charleston area, with $4 million in federal funding and $1 million in local matching funds from Charleston County sales tax. On December 18, 2025, the FTA awarded Carta a $31.8 million discretionary low or no emission grant for the Shipwatch Square Transit and Workforce Center project, including construction of a regional passenger transit hub at 3621 Rivers Avenue in North Charleston, procurement of nine diesel-hybrid replacement buses, acquisition of one on-route fast bus charging device, and workforce development training in partnership with SC Works Trident, with ultimate completion by March 30, 2034. On July 16, 2025, Carta received a $2.75 million formula grant covering Federal Fiscal Years 2023–2025 for capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, and lease buses and bus facilities. On June 23, 2025, the FTA awarded Carta a $14.6 million formula grant comprising $8.9 million in Section 5307 funds and $5.7 million in non-federal match from Charleston County for operating expenses, preventive maintenance, and acquisition of safety and security equipment through September 30, 2026.

All federal grants carry FTA Buy America Act and Build America Buy America Act compliance requirements. Carta must procure buses and transit vehicles only from FTA-approved transit vehicle manufacturers, conduct third-party procurement under FTA policy C4220.1G, verify contractor suspension and debarment status, and ensure all steel, iron, and manufactured goods are produced in the United States. No subrecipient or research activities are included in Carta's grant portfolio; three grant sub-awards (awarded March 23, 2026, January 17, 2025, and March 15, 2024) reflect pass-through funding for vehicle purchases and paratransit service expansion for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Grant activity has grown modestly in recent years—from two awards in 2023 to five in 2025—with the most recent award dated May 20, 2026. Carta's grants span formula funding cycles (Section 5307 and Section 5339) and discretionary project grants. The FTA is Carta's sole federal customer, and Carta does not hold prime federal contracts, IDIQs, GWACs, BPAs, or seats on government-wide procurement vehicles.