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    1. Management

    The COMET’s Lifeline 31-day transit pass now available to low-income residents in Richland County, S.C.

    Oct. 25, 2021
    A limited budget will be available to non-profit organizations that aid low-income residents upon filling out a request for donation form through the recently adopted pass donation policy.
    Related To: Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA) (The Comet)

    The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) is offering a new Richland County Lifeline Program to provide transit passes for low-income residents in the South Carolina county.

    For those who need social services, health care, employment and quality of life opportunities, The COMET will offer 31-day bus passes at no cost to applicants. In addition, a limited budget will be available to non-profit organizations that aid low-income residents upon filling out a request for donation form through the recently adopted pass donation policy. Funding is made possible through the Richland County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. A similar program was launched for Lexington County in 2020.

    “The COMET is a part of the community. For those that need transportation but cannot afford it, the ability to get to social services, jobs, schools and other quality of life destinations can be accessed through The COMET,” said LeRoy DesChamps, interim executive director. “This program was created because we have many requests for free or discounted bus passes for low-income residents who could not afford the regular bus fare.”

    To apply for the Richland County Lifeline Program, contact The COMET’s mobility management specialist. Interested parties can download an application or contact the specialist if an accessible application is needed.

    The program is scheduled to be in effect until June 30, 2022. All passes will be issued directly by The COMET. The guidelines utilized for determining eligibility are the federal standard for poverty established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. If passengers interested in the Lifeline 31-day bus passes meet the criteria below, then they would be deemed eligible.

    2020 Poverty guidelines

    Number of people/household Poverty line

    For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,480 for each additional person.

    • 1: $12,760
    • 2: $17,240
    • 3: $21,720
    • 4: $26,200
    • 5: $30,680
    • 6: $35,160
    • 7: $39,640
    • 8: $44,120