About Us
Who is SWRTA?
The Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority (SWRTA) is the public transportation provider in Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter counties; providing fixed route bus and ADA services in the City of Sumter with shuttle services to Cherryvale and Shaw Air Force Base communities. SWRTA provides SmartRide services to Columbia from Camden and Sumter. SWRTA provides demand response (paratransity service), which operates in the urban and rural areas of the county. Paratransit service offers county residents accessible transportation options to ride any of these county routes based upon space availability as cash clients.
The Beginning...
SWRTA, the Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority was created after the closure of the Sumter Bus Company.
In 1973, the South Carolina State Legislature saw the need for public transportation within the State and established the South Carolina Code of Laws Section 58-225-30. These laws enabled the establishment of the Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority in 1976; and in 1978 in agreement with the State laws, the SWRTA Board of Directors was formed. And in 1978, SWRTA begun serving the predominately rural Santee Lynches Region that includes Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter counties. SWRTA transport passengers to and from training programs, medical appointments, work, and recreation, either on our fixed route system, demand response/paratransit services or commuter route services.
In 1995, the SWRTA Board of Directors working with the South Carolina Department of Transportation agreed to manage and provide transit services to Eastover (Lower Richland) area, which was formerly operated by the Eastover Transit System and is currently being operated by COMET, which is the Central Midland Regional Transportation.
Currently, the SWRTA provides different type of transportation services in six (6) of the 46 counties within the State: Paratransit services in two (2) counties, fixed route services in Orangeburg, Lee and Sumter with routes extending onto Shaw AFB. Commuter and/or SmartRide services in Sumter, Kershaw, and Calhoun.
SWRTA has approximately 50 employees operating services from three different locations with an office located in Orangeburg, Lee and Sumter. The main office is located in the City of Sumter.
SWRTA is keeping fast to our motto, YOUR COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER 'PEOPLE MOVING PEOPLE RESPONSIBLY'
Vision Statement
Through trained and empowered employees, SWRTA will be a highly respected and publicly supported organization, enabling it to provide and coordinate cost effective and excellent transportation services throughout its service areas. expectations, while creating economic growth and development.
Mission Statement
SWRTA is an innovative regional transportation organization of dedicated employees committed to partnering with the public and private sectors to provide the safest, affordable, efficient, accessible coordinated mobility solutions, with quality customer services that exceed our customer’s expectations, while creating economic growth and development.
"Riding the RTA bus is a very enjoyable experience and reliable transportation. It cost $1 to get on the bus. The drivers are very well mannered, professional and excellent drivers."
"We have been working on getting a dedicated route to come on this side of Pike Road for the last 6 years! Thank you SWRTA for thinking of us. We are so EXCITED!"
"I have been using RTA service since I was 7 years old and I am 37 now, so I have been using these service for 30 years. One of the main reasons is because they are dependable. They are reliable. They have great personalities and the hospitialiy is above the measure and I enjoy the service."
K. Bradford
Jamie Ferst, Assistant Manager of Springcreek, Hickory Hollow, and Springhollow Appartments
Roshaan Wesley
James E. Clyburn Intermodal Transportation Center