In July 1983 the vision of three men, Ivory Wilson, Clarence Watkins, and J. R. Taylor, came to fruition with bus service for the area being provided by Coastal Rapid Public Transit Authority (CRPTA). The dream actually began on July 4, 1980 when Wilson, Watkins and Taylor began planning to provide Horry and Georgetown counties transportation for those in need to places of employment, shopping and medical offices.

The system began with six GM buses on lease from the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. In that first year, the new transit company enjoyed an average of 332 boarding’s each day. The following year that number grew to 729. Currently, Coast RTA provides service to over 1900 commuters daily.