City of Charleston’s innovative Ride-share Pilot Program goes into effect May 1st

The City of Charleston is set to launch its Ride-share Pilot Program on Wednesday, May 1st, aimed at streamlining traffic within the Central Business District, specifically along the King Street corridor between Spring and John Streets. 

From 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., ride-share drivers will be guided to designated pickup and drop-off points, strategically positioned to alleviate congestion along King Street and several side streets. 

The introduction of this initiative follows extensive research and planning by the city’s Business and Neighborhood Services Division, Design Division, Police Department, and Traffic & Transportation Department. Leveraging insights from industry leaders Uber and Lyft, the program selected five optimal locations along the King Street corridor, targeting high-traffic areas to maximize convenience for passengers and drivers. Last week, City crews installed new signs not only to designate the pickup/drop-off zones but also directional signage along King Street to direct riders to the zones. CPD will also increase patrol officers to provide assistance to drivers and riders during this transition. 

This initiative aligns with ongoing safety endeavors in the downtown area through Mayor William Cogswell’s King Street Safety Initiative that launched two months ago.  

Meg Thompson, Business & Neighborhood Services Director, emphasized that this was a win for the entire community. “Not only does this help police maintain an orderly flow of traffic on Upper King Street, but this will also support our rideshare providers by offering safe and efficient service to folks who visit this district. By designating space for this activity, we’re also keeping this activity contained and not encroaching into the surrounding neighborhoods.”  

More information about this six-month pilot program and other Central Business District resources can be found at https://charleston-sc.gov/cbdresources.