Licence to Drive: Shelley Drever starts Door2Door Driving Service
Posted on June 22, 2017 by Maple Creek
Shelley Drever started Door2Door four weeks ago, but said, "I got the idea earlier this year." She explained she'd driven her parents and aunts to appointments over the years. This gave her an understanding of the limitations of the Greyhound and the advantages of a driving service. "I decided to bite the bullet and give it a try," she stated. NEWS PHOTO DOMINIQUE LIBOIRONDominique Liboiron
Twitter: @DomMCNews
Email: dliboiron4@hotmail.com
A new driving service will make it easier for people in Maple Creek to get around.
Shelley Drever has started Door2Door Driving Service. Her business primarily helps people who need a ride to the city, but it offers a lot more.
Drever said there’s a need in the community for a service like hers for many reasons. She pointed out that not everyone can get a ride to Swift Current or Medicine Hat. Plus, some people don’t like driving in the city. Drever added her business isn’t just a shuttle to urban centres. It can also be useful in and around Maple Creek.
According to Drever, taking the Greyhound bus to Swift Current or Medicine Hat only solves part of the problem. A person with a medical appointment, for example, still needs to take a taxi from the bus depot to the hospital or clinic. If the appointment runs late, there’s a possibility they’ll miss the return trip home.
By booking a ride with Door2Door, Drever explained, people don’t have to pay for taxis to and from their appointment and they avoid the worry of missing the bus.
She uses a Ford Windstar minivan, which is easier for seniors to get in and out of compared to a Greyhound bus because there are no stairs. Her van seats six passengers.
Another benefit of Door2Door is how it saves passengers the stress of driving in the city and it buys them time to shop, to play at the casino or visit friends.
The service also helps people who can’t drive due to medical reasons.
Round trips to Medicine Hat or Swift Current cost $65 per person. Drever can provide receipts for medical trips.
In other cases, friends or family members might not have time to drive someone to the city, but would still like to be of assistance. Drever sells gift certificates, which can be given to a person who needs a ride.
Door2Door Driving Service also allows people to take in a social event or concert and to enjoy a few drinks without having to drive home.
For example, last week she drove some customers to a retirement party at Cypress Hills Park then drove them back to town when they were ready to leave.
She also offers sightseeing trips to Cypress Hills Park for a flat fee of $45 regardless of the number of passengers. The trip to Fort Walsh costs $65. Other destinations or custom trips are 65¢ per kilometre.
Drever is considering the possibility of day trips. One idea she has in mind is to take sightseers to Eastend where they could visit the T-Rex Centre, have lunch at Café Terra and then explore the town before returning to Maple Creek.
Drever started Door2Door four weeks ago, but said, “I got the idea earlier this year.” She explained she’d driven her parents and aunts to appointments over the years. This gave her an understanding of the limitations of the Greyhound and the advantages of a driving service. “I decided to bite the bullet and give it a try,” she stated.
Drever explained she calls her operation a driving service as opposed to a taxi because she asks people to schedule a ride in advance. She would like a week’s notice for out of town appointments. For other trips, she invites a phone call to see what’s scheduled.
To drive paying passengers, Drever had to get her Class 4 licence. This is what ambulance drivers, chauffeurs and bus drivers must obtain. She underwent both a road test and a written test.
Although it wasn’t required, Drever got her vehicle inspected and, in the interest of safety, also equipped it with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
If you’d like to book a trip or to get more information, please contact Drever at 306-661-9296 or visit her on Facebook at Door2Door Driving Service.
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