|
Asheville, NC,
July 30, 2007
Transit options in Asheville are growing. On Thursday, August 2nd, a new transportation services company, Green Transit, will launch a healthier mass transportation system in Western North Carolina; with the first customer being Asheville Mayor Terry M. Bellamy arriving at City Hall at 9:15am.
Service will cover Buncombe and Madison counties and the city of Asheville.
Western North Carolina and especially the Asheville area has become a hub for green companies and now Green Transit, Ltd. will provide transportation options using clean and renewable fuels that have not been available to date to citizens of WNC.
Green Transit, Ltd. believes that the existing transportation choices, such as the single occupant automobile, human service vehicles or private taxi service, which all rely on foreign petroleum, are not viable answers to rising concerns about air quality, congestion and future parking problems for a regional center like Asheville.
Green Transit, Ltd. seeks to provide and earth-friendly, subscription based, shared ride, private transportation service for Buncombe, Madison, Henderson and Haywood counties, as well as Asheville. The company will utilize vehicles powered by alternative fuels, like bio-diesel, natural gas and electricity in order to help improve our mountain air. The service is demand responsive for a subscription card holder. Users will be able to schedule rides by calling for service the next day. Riders are automatically matched with others needing the same trip, and they all have at least one thing in common- they care about the earth.
"When you share a ride with 2 or 3 other passengers, not only is there a reduction in the fare paid, you also triple or quadruple your fuel efficiency", says Robert Eidus President of Green Transit. "A shared-ride experience with Green Transit, Ltd. will offer you the networking opportunity to meet other forward-thinking, environmentally conscious folks while enjoying a quality transportation experience."
Stephanie Monson, who works in downtown Asheville and commutes everyday to work, has this to say about why she plans to utilize Green Transit, "Based on my current commute time, I figure that Green Transit, Ltd. will give me at least 5 extra hours of relaxation each week. I plan to be reading the paper and having coffee on my daily commute to Asheville, congratulating myself on the money I've saved on gasoline and car maintenance via using Green Transit, instead of being occupied by the ever- increasing traffic congestion (and subsequent decreasing air quality) in our region."
Green Transit's fleet now consists of bio-diesel-fueled four passenger car(s). In the near future they will add a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) van(s). Their short range plan calls for adding an electrically powered bus in early '08.
To use the service, contact the company at least 24 hours before you wish to ride. Subscribers pay an annual fee. Sign up other members to get a bonus.
The cost for each ride is determined by the dispatcher and confirmed by the rider. Cost depends on the distance traveled, the number of passengers and the type of vehicle. Usually less than half the cost of a taxicab ride for the same distance with three or more passengers. Billing is done monthly by email. Vehicles are dispatched from 32 1/2 Albemarle Place off Charlotte Street in Downtown Asheville.
Here are some sample fares:
Hot Springs to the Asheville Regional Airport one way, one passenger $89.
Marshall and Mars Hill to AVL one way, one passenger $60, two passengers $35 per person, three passengers $25 per person.
Other fares will be available soon.
For more information, contact Robert Eidus at (828) 649-3536 or email info@greentransitnc.com for more information.
|
