Regionwide Transit

Regionwide Transit was initially started as an airport shuttle service.  It was meant to be used to make extra income and help the community.  After the local taxi service faded, it was restructured to serve the community on a closer level.   Its mission is to provide affordable and dependable transportation for people in the city of Columbia and other rural communities where transportation options are limited. These are areas that may not have taxi service, limited government transportation, and TNC operators such as Uber and Lyft are unreliable.

The main challenge in serving rural communities is the constriction to operating in a pre-described area.  TNC drivers can take a customer to their destination and immediately be available to get another passenger wherever they may be.  Taxi services are restricted to picking up customers within a predefined area.  So, If a customer is taken outside of that area, the driver has to return to their customer zone.  Our customers are able to confidently make appointments because we are committed to honoring their requests.  TNC operators have to rely on drivers who drive when and where they want even if appointments have been made.  Understandably, TNC drivers tend to migrate to more densely packed areas so the time they have to wait for a new ride is less.  Taxi services are more static.  There is no sacrificing a $10 ride for a more lucrative fare.

When two vehicles were in operation, the business averaged $10k per month.  More recently, after the loss of a vehicle due to being rear-ended, the gross was $6k per month.  Drivers are paid as W-2 workers to ensure they have a stable income source not reliant on fluctuating customer demand.
Fuel costs run from $800 to $900 per month.  Each vehicle is commercially insured and the business carries general liability.

I am seeking to replace vehicles that were lost due to an accident and mechanical failure. I wish to replace them with an electric vehicle that has a minimum of 300 miles per charge.  It has to be large enough to carry four passengers and have trunk space to handle a folded wheelchair. The reason for an electric vehicle is to save on operating costs. From my estimates, based on data from other transportation providers, an EV would save 70% per month compared to the gas vehicles I have been using.   That would be roughly $300 per month to charge compared to $900 for gas.  The vehicle that meets these requirements is a used 2021 Tesla Model 3.  It costs around $33k.

An efficient, cost-saving vehicle will set a firm foundation from which to expand to other rural communities.  Within three years we can deepen our commitment by offering fixed route service.