New bus route connects Myrtle Beach, Charleston

New bus route connects Myrtle Beach, Charleston
Dec 24, 2009
By Nicole Johnso
Live News 5

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - People up and down the South Carolina coast are connecting, with bus rides between Myrtle Beach and Charleston.

Vietnam and Korean War vet Ivory Wilson says it can be a challenge for some vets to get to and from home to healthcare appointments. "Makes me feel kind of bad because some of them will have to get their family from work, and stop their family from working and get them to the hospital," he said.

But the Coast Regional Transportation Authority of Waccamaw has rolled out with a way to help those vets out, with a bus route that will run two times a day. The bus had its inaugural run with RTA officials and board of directors on board. They had a ribbon cutting, commemorating the new connecting route. The bus will go round trip between Myrtle Beach and Charleston every Thursday and Saturday, but the Thursday trip is mainly for veterans, to take them from the outpatient clinic in Myrtle Beach to right here at the VA Medical Center in Charleston.

"We serve more than 9,000 veterans in the Myrtle Beach area, of which 100 per month use our traveling services through DAV or this new service to have specialty services here in Charleston," said VA Medical Center assistant director Ron Sandreth.

The bus also makes a pickup in Georgetown, connecting veterans all up and down the coast with a ride to the doctor or hospital. "I think are going to really enjoy this service," said Wilson.

It's service to our veterans that the Coast RTA in Waccamaw has provided to the veterans, after their service to the country.

A round trip ticket from Myrtle Beach to Charleston will cost $25. Both the Thursday and Saturday routes are open to veterans, tourists, or anyone who needs a ride up and down the coast.