MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2004
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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1 Dr.
Service offers alternative ride home in your own car
Lawrence residents Tobias Souders, left, and James Harmon started S-Man Transportation in August. Souders came up with the idea for his transportation service watching Comedy Central's Insomniac.
BY JOHN JORDAN
editor@kansan.com
SPECIAL TO THE KANSAN
Greyson Twist, Anthony senior, finished drinking several beers downtown with some friends. He had a good time but did not want to get into any trouble driving home.
After a quick call on his cell phone, Twist left the bar and headed to his car. A few minutes later he was safely on his way home.
Twist did not drive drunk. Twist called S-Man Transportation Services, a business started in August by 24- year-old Lawrence resident Tobias Souders.
Souders picks up the customer and drives his or her car home. He is trailed by co-worker James Ashley Harmon, who follows in another car.
Twist knows all about the benefits having his car returned home safely.
"There's nothing worse than being hung-over and trying to find your car," he said.
Souders wants to set his service apart from other services in Lawrence by avoiding problems such as vandalism, theft and parking tickets.
S-Man Transportation faces competition from the University's SafeRide program, as well as from local taxi services.
Souders charges $5 per ride. Midwest Taxi Service charges $8 per ride for the first passenger, plus $1.50 per each additional rider.
Manager Dave Old said rate had increased from $6 since Midwest acquired Lawrence Taxi Service and became the only provider in Lawrence. SafeRide is free for KU students and is available from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. seven days a week.
Paul Karrer, Omaha, Neb. sophomore, said SafeRide was one of the coolest things he's heard about at the University.
"It's good for people who are
not only too drunk, but also people who are plain lazy," Karrer said.
Karrer said he had used SafeRide about 10 times and that it was definitely something any large campus should have.
In 2003 SafeRide gave around 33,000 rides home, said Tim Akright, KU on Wheels transportation coordinator.
SafeRide only takes students with a valid KUID, and it only takes students to their place of residence.
Souders hopes to appeal to a more students by offering to take them to any Lawrence destination — home, another party or a bar.
It is funded by campus fees paid through tuition by all KU students.
"Either way you still don't to have your car," said Souders.
According to the KU on Wheels Web site, SafeRide will only take students home.
S-Man Transportation currently employs Souders and one of his friends. A customer must present a valid proof of insurance and sign a waiver allowing Souders to drive.
The idea to chauffeur people home in their own cars began in the United Kingdom.
Souders said that before, students only had the option of paying outrageous prices or taking SafeRide.
Drivers for London's ScooterMan take English customers home in their car and then ride gas-powered scooters
Souders also originally used a scooter, an idea he picked up from Comedy Central's *Insomniac*. The scooter enabled Souders to work alone. He could drive to the customer, put the scooter in the trunk of the car and then be able to leave from the customer's destination when he was finished.
Souders said no one objected to the scooter when he registered the business with the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.
I t's good for people who are not only
too drunk,but also people who are plain lazy."
Paul Karrer Omaha, Neb., sophomore
However, one night he was pulled over by a city police officer and told he could not drive it.
After failed attempts to register his scooter with the city, Souders is now petitioning to allow the scooter's use.
Souders used to work for SafeRide, and said he has not had nearly as much business as SafeRide. He said that business has been slow but steady so far.
He said his busiest nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays and he has two regular riders. He has posted flyers in bars and on cars throughout town and also ans ad in the Pub Crawl magazine.
Souders said he hoped the advertising would reach students who frequent bars in Lawrence, like Greyson Twist.
Twist said he liked the service and he would probably use it again.
"I do not need to be leaving my car downtown." Twist said.
"I've gotten four tickets leaving my car on Mass Street. The tickets are only $2, but since I haven't paid them, they're all $10 tickets now."
S-Man Transportation operates seven days a week from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. It can be reached at 550-1368.
Editor's note: During a standard background check, the Kansan found that James Ashley Harmon was charged with leaving the scene of an injury accident in June 1994. In November 1997 he was fined $106 for speeding.
- Edited by Ashley Bechard
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS OCTOBER 18,2004 STUDENT SENATE PRESENTED BY
Homophobia hurts us all.
Dr. Robert N. Minor, Professor of Religious Studies and author of "Scared Straight" will be exploring the issues of homophobia and how they impair not only faith, but also the quality of each person's life, regardless of sexual orientation.
Two-part Seminar Tuesday, Oct.19 and Tuesday, Oct.26 6:30-10:00 pm ECM Center Basement $5 Students/$8 Non-students
First of Four Part Series Called The Real Person's Guide
Presented by Dennis Daily KU Professor of Social Welfare
Jayhawk Room Kansas Union
run happy.
Oct. 18, 8:30pm International Room We will be discussing a community-wide race, fundraising, and run times. For more info email: Jaymehawk@aol.com
The Real Person's Guide to Intimacy
você fala português?
BRAZILIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION
presents: THE BRAZILIAN TABLE - EVERY FRIDAY FROM 6:30-8PM @ CAFE NOVA
email brasa@ku.edu for more info
Oct.21 7-9pm
Start climbing the ladder to success
American Business Women's Association
Meeting - Oct. 19 7pm, Parlor Room Kansas Union
Presenting Barbara Hannon "How to make networking work for you"
Check out our Web site for more information at www.ku.edu/~kuabwe or email kuabwe@ku.edu
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