Columbia, South Carolina’s bike-share system, Blue Bike SC, will grow by eight 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.”

In addition to The COMET’s contribution to expanding the station network, the agency will subsidize its riders holding a one-day, five-day, seven-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.

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