I have an idea for a shuttle service...

[Red Roxy]

OK...so this is just an initial idea that came from some of my customers and partnerships and I need some general feedback. I manage a hotel in a tourist town, popultion 3,000 in the off season and 30,000 in the summer. We have a very popular wedding venue that does over 200 weddings a year. They are located 2 miles out of town and 7 miles from my hotel. They do not have a shuttle service, nor do any of the local hotels. There are 2 cab companies in town...but each only have 1 or 2 vehicles. The wedding venue used to run a trolley service to shuttle their wedding parties to and from the hotels but they did not want to get into the aspect of the business, even though they see the demand for it and it was an actual open air trolley, so it had weather dependent limitations. There is a demand for a shuttle service for their customers and they have been begging for someone to start a shuttle company. My customers have shown a lot of interest in it as well and we have even went so far as recommending large bus rentals to groups. So here is what I am thinking....purchase a small passenger bus and in the day time, run a general shuttle across town stopping only at set destinations along the route, charging a set fee amount, much like riding a bus. In the evening, run for private parties only, unless there is no demand and then I could run the bar route across town and out to my hotel. I would want to do the daytime route only in the tourist season here, late May through Sept but would be available year round for private parties. I know I need a business plan...this is just the general idea. What I am looking for: What downfalls can you see with this plan? Does anyone have experience doing this sort of thing? Does anyone have any advice specifically related to this idea? I am trying to get all the input that I can get....thanx!

[tazman9r]

I am a pilot and was a limousine driver. I was also a security guard at a mall, with an emphasis on recognizing liability.

First, get to know about all the laws regarding livery transportation in your state and county. Be aware of the regulations before spending any money on this so you won't go over budget later. You will need to be licensed and probably have a TCP number. Your driver will need a commercial driver's license as well.

Second, I would look into two buses. This way you have a back up in case of a maintenance issue, and you never have a laps in service. You may not start out with two, but depending on demand, you may want two.

Third, guard against liability by investing in buses that have up to date safety amenities. This may add significantly to the cost of initial investment, but a newer bus should have fewer maintenance issues, and the first time someone does not slip on a step in the rain having paid more for a newer bus will have payed for itself. We live in a litigious society, after all.

[warrensway]

I read a great article about a company that did a shuttle service or more or less just a bus service for their real estate company. It was to drive people around to foreclosed homes and it worked great.

[FUN-GUYZ!]

I like your idea. The only downfall I see can forsee is needing several busses to cater to different parties. What if 2 people needed to get to the east side of town, and 40 needed to get to the opposite? Not really a downfall, actually a nice problem to have...but think about that.

As stated above, make sure you cover your a$$. Insurance will be a big cost...next biggest cost = GAS! YIKES