Public Transportation in Columbus County: How Local Transit Works and Who It Serves

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC — Columbus County operates a rural public transportation system that provides door‑to‑door service for residents across one of North Carolina’s largest rural counties. With no fixed bus routes and long distances between communities, the county’s demand‑response model remains a vital resource for people who need reliable transportation to work, healthcare, and essential services.

Columbus County Transportation runs weekday service from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Instead of bus stops, riders schedule trips in advance and are picked up directly at home. The system is a general public service, open to all ages and all residents, not just older adults or individuals with disabilities. Anyone living in or traveling within the county can book a ride for work, school, shopping, medical appointments, or personal errands.

To schedule a trip, residents call the transportation office at 910.642.7201 during office hours, Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Dispatchers collect the pickup address, destination, preferred arrival time, and any mobility needs before assigning a pickup window. Because vehicles often serve multiple riders on the same route, the county encourages scheduling at least one day ahead.

Fares are $3.00 one‑way within Whiteville and Brunswick Townships and $10 one‑way for travel anywhere else in the county. Riders pay the driver at boarding. The system also accepts certain Greyhound fares for long‑distance connections.

Alongside general public service, the county provides specialized transportation for clients of the Department of Social Services, the Health Department, the Department of Aging, and mental health and developmental disability programs. These agency-supported trips help residents reach medical care, therapy, and other essential services, but they operate in addition to, not in place of, the public system.

Private transportation options remain limited in Columbus County. While the county does not have a traditional taxi fleet, several regional operators from Wilmington, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach offer scheduled pickups for airport travel, medical trips, and long-distance rides. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are available in parts of the county, though driver availability varies and wait times can be longer in rural areas.

Together, the county’s public transit system and the small number of private options form a patchwork of transportation access for residents who do not drive or lack reliable vehicles. For many households, the service remains a lifeline connecting rural communities to employment, healthcare, and daily necessities across a wide geographic area.

Columbus County’s system is designed to be inclusive and safe for all residents, from older adults to students and working families. While private options are limited, the public system remains a trusted resource for essential travel.