Wheels-Harbinson Area Transit

Our Mission

Founded in 1989, Wheels Harbison Area Transit was formed to serve HUD housingsidents by providing free transportation to Elderly and Disabled residents in the Greater Harbison Area. This transportation includes getting elderly and disabled residents to and from medical appointments, dental appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, discount stores, and many other types of businesses.

Our History

Wheels was founded by residents and churches in the Harbison area to provide needed transportation, particularly for residents who were disabled. Over the years a variety of churches have provided support, as well as volunteers, to keep the organization active. Wheels is a grass roots organization, community supported by an all-volunteer. Wheels Harbison Area Transit was incorporated as a non- profit 501(c)3 in 1990.

In 1989, the first van 15 passenger van was purchased. The van was wheelchair equipped, as are all succeeding vans. In 1994, grant money was approved for a second van. In 2021 another grant awarded a new van to replace the well-used and well-traveled 1989 van.

In 1994, Wheels was awarded “The Best Paratransit Provider Award” by the SC Department of Transportation Division of Mass Transportation for providing outstanding transportation services to citizens with specialized transportation needs. In 2022, the Lester Gross Community Service Award was presented to the volunteers of the Wheels Harbison Area Transit. This award recognizes individuals or organization who have made substantial and distinctive contribution to the betterment of the Harbison Community.

As our 13-year-old bus began to age and had to be taken out of service more frequently, we sought to get another bus to continue to provide the type of service that is the best for the residents. With major contributions from Chapin Methodist Church and the Harbison Foundation, Wheels Harbison Area Transit was successful in securing a relatively new bus. We no longer have to deal with cancelling runs but do continue to incur some much-needed maintenance on the old bus. We are hoping to have these repairs completed in 2025 so that we will always have a dependable backup for providing the types of services needed.

Our Current Activities

We currently transport residents from Wood Edge, Lakeside and AHEPA. Usually, we travel our route of Harbison-Lake Murray-St Andrews each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. This includes stopping at Walmart, Target, Publix, banks, and medical offices along these roads. In addition, two times a month we transport individuals to doctors/medical appointments outside our usual area anywhere in the Columbia area. All they must do is call to reserve a ride. All these activities are free although residents donate as they are able. In 2024, we began offering rides to the DMV twice a year, rides to Sharing God’s Love twice a month to get free groceries, personal and household items. We are also offering special event activities as we are able and have enough participants as well as a volunteer driver.

While our primary goal is to provide transportation for essential services, Wheels also provides a social outlet to people who otherwise might be limited to their apartment. Volunteer drivers and the resident riders build a strong bond of friendship as do the friendship riders have with each other.

Our drivers volunteer to drive two days each month.  In 2025, Wheels transported 2168 residentsand made 5031 trips over almost 6000 miles.