In an effort to increase transportation options for islanders, Doug Skove is working to recruit local drivers to contract with ride share companies and provide on-demand rides.
“Right now on Vashon, there is nothing available that you can just call at the time you might need a ride,” Skove said. “But if we can get some local drivers to contract with these companies, that option will be there.”
An islander for 17 years, Skove wears a few hats in his professional life. He performs with the Zambini Brothers and their giant puppets, installs art exhibits at museums and drives part-time for both Uber and Lyft in Seattle. These companies, known as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), allow everyday drivers to work as independent contractors to transport people around the city. They use their own cars and smartphone applications for all interactions. Everything from locating the closest available driver to payments and driver reviews are done through the applications, often called apps.
“You truly set your own hours,” Skove explained. “As a driver, you just turn the app on when you’re available and turn it off when you’re not. You can work as much or as little as you want. It’s perfect for people who want or need to make some extra money.”
But Skove’s impetus for finding drivers on Vashon was not primarily to generate awareness of the employment opportunity, though he says that is certainly a plus. He had the idea after he and his family were impacted by a friend’s death that they felt may have been prevented if there had been an alternative to driving.
“My son came to me and asked what we could do,” he said. “We thought that getting some drivers available here on the island would make these services an option.”
Skove plans to get the word out about Uber and Lyft by holding informational meetings about driving for the companies. He will also make himself available as a driver on Vashon every Friday and Saturday night beginning March 6.
“Those are the nights people like to go out,” he said. “So that’s when it’s most likely that someone could use a ride home.”
Skove has recruited one other driver on the island so far, and three people attended the first meeting at the library last week. There is another meeting planned for mid-March.
Vashon does have a couple of transportation alternatives, though both require advanced reservations.
Chip Lamason of Vashon Taxi says that he is available 24 hours a day, for travel on or off-island, by reservation only.
“It’s a seasonal business, but I do have reservations every day,” he said of the 3-year-old venture.
Vashon Shuttle, owned by Danette Stoner, has been operating on the island since 1991 and provides a variety of services between 3:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m., including transportation to travel hubs, custom charters for a group of people who want to go to the same place, specialty tours and package delivery, all by advanced reservation.
TNCs, particularly Uber, have come under fire in recent months for a variety of reasons, including for contracting drivers that had not been properly vetted through background checks. Seattle’s branch of the rapidly growing service, however, has had most of its issues with the city and the company itself. Last July, after nearly 15 months of negotiations, Mayor Ed Murray and the Seattle City Council voted to approve a regulatory framework for the TNCs, though lawmakers in Olympia are currently considering additional state regulation.
Skove, a three-year TNC driver, has given over 1,400 rides and has a five-star rating, as generated by passenger reviews. To become a contracted driver with either company, individuals must be 21 or older and own a vehicle with a model year of 2005 or newer that has at least four doors and five seatbelts. They must also have been licensed to drive in the state for at least a year prior, be insured and have in-state license plates, current registration and a clean driving record. Both companies state that all applicants are submitted for background checks.
“I’m not trying to make money here,” Skove said. “I’m just trying to help, maybe employ people who could use some extra money, or maybe save a life if someone really shouldn’t be driving but couldn’t get home otherwise. If even one person is helped by this, it’s worth it.”
Anyone interested in learning more can go to facebook.com/pugetsoundrideshareservices or pugetsoundrideshareservices.com.
