Tuesday, December 5, 2007
Shuttle service aims to help parents transport kids
By DAVE ROSSMAN | Forum Publishing Group
Time-challenged parents dealing with the logistical nightmares of shuffling children from school to after care to sports practices or games and other activities are about to get a helping hand.
The Boca Sports Bus, a private charter company that operates six shuttle buses, was born out of the frustrations of owner Judy Schaum. "I have two kids and know how hard it can be trying to get them to different places," she said.
The shuttles pick up youngsters at locations determined by their parents and Boca Sports Bus, and transport them on to games or other activities in the city and in West Boca. The buses are equipped with cameras and children are given identification badges as a way to keep track of their whereabouts.
"They swipe the card when they get on or off the bus, and parents can monitor their [child's] location online at any time," Schaum said.
Promptness may be of paramount importance, but safety is her No. 1 rule. "Our drivers all have [commercial] licenses, go through extensive background checks and are routinely tested for drugs and alcohol," Schaum said. Her team also includes school bus coordinators and routers from the Palm Beach County School District.
The monthly transportation fee is $150 per passenger, which permits unlimited rides within the company's service area. Residential pick-up and drop-off locations are from Boca Rio Road east to Military Trail and Clint Moore Road south to Southwest 18th Street. Boca Sports Bus also serves West Boca from U.S. Highway 441 west to South County Regional Park and from Yamato Road south to Southwest 18th Street.
Terri Myers of West Boca has four children and said she heard about the new shuttles through the grapevine.
"One of my kids does gymnastics, one does gymnastics and basketball and the other two have activities also. It's impossible to get them where they need to be on time, and that isn't fair," she said.
The shuttle buses also are available for special events. Boca Raton resident Lloyd Granet said he recently booked a shuttle for his daughter Nicole's birthday. She attends school in West Palm Beach and takes Tri-Rail to and from school with her friends. Granet said he used the Boca Sports Bus to alleviate some of the commuting headaches.
Boca Sports Bus shuttles started regular operation this week and run from 3:30 to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Boca bus company offers parents another way to shuttle children to activities.
By Dave Rossman | Forum Publishing Group
BOCA RATON - Time crunched parents dealing with the logistical nightmares of shuffling children between sporting and after- school commitments are about to get a helping hand. Boca Sports Bus is a private charter company with six shuttles, and owner Judy Schaum said the venture was born out of experience.
"I have two kids and know how hard it can be trying to get them to different places," she said. The shuttles pick children up at agreed upon locations and transport them to games or other activities in central and west Boca Raton.
The buses are equipped with cameras and children are given ID badges tracking their whereabouts.
"They swipe the card when they get on or off the bus, and parents can monitor their location online at any time," Schaum said. Promptness may be of paramount importance, but safety is the number one rule.
"Our drivers all have CDL licenses, go through extensive background checks and are routinely tested for drugs and alcohol," Schaum said. The team also includes school bus coordinators and routers from The School District of Palm Beach County, Schaum said. The shuttles begin normal operation Dec. 1 and will run from 3:30 to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. Visit www.bocasportsbus.com for information.
