When preparing for a summer getaway to escape the heat, it’s only natural to focus on airfare, hotels and attractions — not getting to and from the airport. But if you live in Maricopa, that’s a piece of your holiday puzzle that requires some serious planning.
It can be a headache.
That’s precisely why husband-wife duo Kevin and Lori Riley are kickstarting Maricopa’s only airport shuttle service, Ride347, this summer.
“We want to make sure you don’t have to think about how you’re going to get to the airport,” Kevin said.
Ride347 will make its maiden voyage to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Independence Day. Kevin has noticed it’s a much-needed service.
“This town has been needing a dedicated bus route to the airport for the longest time and we’ve been waiting for someone else to do it,” he said. “No one has, so we took the initiative to go ahead and start it.”
Of course, Ride347 will also pick you up from the airport and take you home.
A needed service
Current options for an airport chauffeur are slim.
“There’s just not a good way of getting there unless you get a taxi, Uber or catch a ride from a family member,” Kevin said.
Rideshare bookings from Uber or Lyft can range from $35 to $150 depending on traffic — and when State Route 347 is the only path to the airport, you can never rule out a jam. A taxi would cost a rider at least $80, especially when considering the 30-plus-mile one-way trip.
For those who want to drive themselves, there’s the added struggle of fighting traffic and shelling out daily parking fees before even making it to the check-in kiosks.
To fill the gap, Ride347 will transport travelers along a fixed route for a flat $38 rate multiple times per day, with rides starting at 5 a.m.
Cozy riding
While the flat rate and dependable schedule are a welcome relief for riders, a relaxing ride is the icing on the cake. Or perhaps just an icy option on hot summer days, according to Kevin.
“It’s a very comfortable ride,” he said. “It has two A/C units, so it gets nice and cold in there. You could hang meat in there.”
The two buses hold 12 to 14 passengers in cushy seats, plus they have an ADA option for wheelchairs and scooters. Kevin said he plans to eventually add a TV and WiFi to the buses as amenities.
“We just want to be a reliable, dependent and safe route to the airport on a set schedule,” he said. “We’ll always be there seven days a week.”
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