Though a few districts are walkable, getting around without a car in the Midlands can prove challenging at times. Here’s a list of the public and private options for carless folks:
The COMET
catchthecometsc.gov. The Midlands’ bus system has 30 routes, a slick fleet of buses with Wi-Fi and charging stations. It partners with the Transit app for riders to track buses.
Soda Cap Connector
experiencecolumbiasc.com/visitor-info/getting-around/bus-transportation. A free circulator called the Soda Cap Connector runs limited routes between some key downtown and West Columbia/Cayce spots. Look for the retro soda cap-shaped signs that mark stops, many of them near major tourist attractions, and check out catchthecomet.org for routes and times.
Taxis and Rideshares
The three major local taxi companies are Checker Yellow, Capitol City Cab and Original Blue Ribbon. You’ll see smaller taxi companies and independent drivers, too — though these days, more of those folks are driving for app-based rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft instead.