S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-220
The Commission may grant a certificate A in the following cases:
(2) To an applicant for a certificate to operate upon a regular schedule in a territory not already served by the holder of a certificate A, when public convenience and necessity in such territory are not being reasonably served by a certificate holder under this chapter or a common carrier; provided, that when such a certificate A is issued to an applicant over territory which is being served at the time such certificate is granted by the holder of a certificate B, the right of such applicant to operate under certificate A shall not begin until the expiration of the then license year of the holder of the certificate B and the holder of a certificate B shall be preferred in granting a certificate A over such route unless in the judgment of the Commission it would not be in the interest of the public service.
In either such case the existence of a railroad or other motor vehicle carrier in the territory sought to be served by the applicant shall not be considered by the Commission as good cause for refusing the application.