COLUMBIA, S.C. — The COMET transit service is offering free rides to those who need to get to their COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
"We need to get people that don't have access to be transported to their appointments vaccinated," said Lexington Medical Center's spokesperson Thomas Tafel.
The COMET is waiving the transportation fee for those traveling to vaccine appointments in both Richland and Lexington county.
"The problem in our community for vulnerable seniors is transportation," said Senior Resources' executive director Andrew Boozer. "They don't have loved ones or caretakers to vaccine site during hours it is open."
During the announcement, Boozer, and COMET's spokesperson, Pamela Bynoe-Reed, said most people who depend on transit services are in the vulnerable population.
"What this COMET partnership does allows you to get in the front of the line. You're not stuck at home trying to figure out how to get to a vaccination site," explained Boozer.
In addition to the bus service, those eligible for the vaccine will have three other transportation methods to select, including the COMET Pick Up Program, The Volunteer Transportation Program, or DART.
"You don't have to be registered with DART previously as long as if you tell us your 65 and older and you're calling for a vaccine appointment," said Bynoe-Reed.
You can request a free ride Monday through Friday on The COMET's website. For those without internet access, call customer service at (803) 255-7100, and a representative will help you get a ride to your appointment. The campaign is expected to continue until next year.