Columbia’s Blue Bike Program Expanding with the Assistance of The COMET

Columbia’s bike share system, Blue Bike SC, will grow by 8 fully functional, docked stations this year as part of the program’s expansion funded by a $250,000 Federal Transit Administration grant from The COMET. In addition to funding the station expansion, an amount of $70,000 is allocated to Blue Bike as a pilot to provide a “first mile, last mile” connection specifically for The COMET riders utilizing bike-share in the downtown Columbia area. 

“Columbia Blue Bike’s expansion project is allowing more Columbians an affordable way to improve their personal health as well as the health of our environment,” said John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO of The COMET “Cycling allows people to explore neighborhoods in a unique and engaging way. Increasing the number of Columbia Blue Bike stations provides a much-needed alternative to traveling in single-occupancy automotive vehicles and complements our public transit system” added Mr. Andoh.

On the same note Bewegen CEO, Alain Ayotte said “Bewegen is very excited about this opportunity to collaborate with an innovative transit authority such as The COMET.  Their addition to the Blue Bike SC team as an official Expansion Partner will contribute to creating a multi-modal integrated transit solution for Columbia and the region. This partnership will make Blue Bike SC more accessible and bring value to both of our user bases. We are looking forward to collaborating in the creation of transit-based initiatives.” 

The COMET will fund the following new and upgraded stations as recommended by the City’s Walk Bike Columbia Bike Share Plan:

·         Bull Street - Stadium

·         YMCA

·         USC - Hamilton College

·         Palmetto Compress (planned)

·         USC - Sumter & Devine (planned)

·         Laurel & Sumter (name and location TBD)

·         Gervais near the River (name and location TBD)

·         Harden near Senate (name and location TBD)

In addition to The COMET’s contribution to expanding the station network, The COMET will subsidize its riders holding a 1-Day, 5-Day, 7-Day, 31-Day or a 10-Ride pass to ride Blue Bike.  The COMET riders do not need to pay for use of Blue Bike SC.  The COMET passholders wanting to use bike-share simply need to ask the bus operator for a code to input at the kiosks, online or on the Blue Bike SC app.

“This grant will allow us to continue to expand the city’s bike share system and reach even more areas of Columbia,” said Chairman Ron Anderson of The COMET, also the City of Columbia appointee. “Changing the transit landscape in Columbia is our ultimate goal. We’re honored to have the Columbia City Council’s continued support to make affordable, sustainable and healthy transportation available to as many people as possible.”

Since its start date in October 2018, Blue Bike has seen 4,033 trips and travel 7,651 miles with 144 members.