Going rate for a shuttle

[Downhill Trucker]

Hey folks, most of my shuttles have just given me a price or told me how much per mile but my current shuttle just asked for what I see fit. The shuttle will be 70 miles round-trip for the shuttler and 33 miles from A to B of where I am getting shuttled. I was thinking 50 bucks with a 10 dollar tip if everything went smooth. How does this sound?

I work in the service industry so I prefer to be generous on these things but I have no idea what that shuttle would typically cost. Thanks for any help.

DHT

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[Starchild]

Where is it? For whatever reason down south is cheaper than up north, and that is even cheaper then the NY metro area and that still is cheaper (AT wise) then 'CONNECTICUT' (proof that God loves us resides in that CT is a very short part of the AT as CT is the most overpriced state to hike in). That being said and 2013 rates vary from $0.50 - $1 per mile.


Tipping for this is expected for non-thru hikers (IMHO), but optional for Thrus.

[jcreamer]

I was shuttled about an hour with one other passenger (2 of us total) and he charged $90. I must admit I thought that was a little high but he was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. I actually enjoyed the trip. I think your idea of $50 may be a little low but not by much. If he asked for you to pay "what you see fit", then go with what you think is reasonable. Truthfully he will have about 5 gallons in gas (around $13) plus his time.

[TNhiker]

i also think 50 is too low.........

[TNhiker]

a few years ago----a shuttle from fontana dam to clingmans dome---a total of around 70 miles---cost me 100 bucks...

that was from the hike inn located near the dam...

[MuddyWaters]

$1.5 - 2 per mile is normal for 1 person.

Tipping isn't necessary for an owner/operator that sets their rates. Nice gesture, sure.

IRS reimbursement rate for personal car use is 0.53/mile. This covers gas, wear and tear, etc. So figure anything above this is likely what the person earns is approximate. If they drive 2 ways, that's $1 per mile. So basically, they make 0.5-1 per mile shuttled. If a 100 mile shuttle takes 4 hrs, that's $12-25/hr. Fair wage for unskilled job without any benefits, especially
...cough... tax free.

[Traffic Jam]

Tipping for this is expected for non-thru hikers (IMHO), but optional for Thrus.

That's ridiculous. It costs a lot more money to section hike the AT than it does to thru hike. This is typical of an entitled thru-hiker mentality and it's wrong.

[BobTheBuilder]

I get a shuttle about twice a year for section hikes. The going rate seems to be about $1.00 per mile that I am in the car, but I also tip pretty well on top of that.

[Lnj]

That's ridiculous. It costs a lot more money to section hike the AT than it does to thru hike. This is typical of an entitled thru-hiker mentality and it's wrong.

+1 What in the world does being a thru hiker versus a section hiker have to do with the price of a ride? A shuttle is simply a ride, a taxi cab in a specific and designated area with a pre-determined destination. The cost and whether or not you should tip should be the same for a world renowned Thru Hiker as it is for my Granny who just wants to meet me at the end and give me a hug. Money is money and thru hiker money spends just like everybody else's. There is no privilege card received at the end of a thru hike designating them as officially better than all other lower beings.

[Lone Wolf]

Hey folks, most of my shuttles have just given me a price or told me how much per mile but my current shuttle just asked for what I see fit. The shuttle will be 70 miles round-trip for the shuttler and 33 miles from A to B of where I am getting shuttled. I was thinking 50 bucks with a 10 dollar tip if everything went smooth. How does this sound?

I work in the service industry so I prefer to be generous on these things but I have no idea what that shuttle would typically cost. Thanks for any help.

DHT

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$50 is good. that's all i ask for a shuttle of that distance. no tip required

[Lone Wolf]

Tipping for this is expected for non-thru hikers (IMHO), but optional for Thrus.

bull. i don't like to accept tips and i rarely shuttle thru-hikers.

[Feral Bill]

bull. i don't like to accept tips and i rarely shuttle thru-hikers.

I think Starchild is having some fun with us. At least i hope so.

[Hikingjim]

You can find shuttles in some states for $1 a mile or not much more, which always surprised. Often these are people that don't make much off of it, or do it when they have time and own another business, such as a hostel
I went 75 miles in VA for $75+ a tip. And also took another shorter VA shuttle where they also said "pay what you can"

I think your $60 is a good amount, assuming it's on good roads.

[Downhill Trucker]

Thanks for the insights. I guess my main question is which mileage is typically the one used. I'm guessing the miles that I travel which is only 33 miles. Most of my shuttles in the past have been big miles, so a quote of 100 bucks didn't seem bad.

I'm going to forget the notion of the tip and stick with 60 bucks. I'll have extra cash too, if I change my mind. If money was the first priority of the shuttle, they would let me know. I definitely let them know that I would pay any price, as getting a reliable ride is important to me.

But don't get the idea I have money to burn either, I just chose to spend what I make doing trips like this.

Thanks again for all the help.

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[capehiker]

What in the world does being a thru hiker versus a section hiker have to do with the price of a ride?

You would be very surprised.

[Traffic Jam]

I think Starchild is having some fun with us. At least i hope so.

Not much difference in someone having "some fun" and being a troll.

[Hikingjim]

Thanks for the insights. I guess my main question is which mileage is typically the one used. I'm guessing the miles that I travel which is only 33 miles. Most of my shuttles in the past have been big miles, so a quote of 100 bucks didn't seem bad.

I'm going to forget the notion of the tip and stick with 60 bucks. I'll have extra cash too, if I change my mind. If money was the first priority of the shuttle, they would let me know. I definitely let them know that I would pay any price, as getting a reliable ride is important to me.

But don't get the idea I have money to burn either, I just chose to spend what I make doing trips like this.

Thanks again for all the help.

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it's based on your miles traveled, but shuttle drivers increase prices if total distance is significantly more than double the passenger distance
for comparison, cab rates are normally around $2.00/mile and maybe up to 2.50 in expensive places

[Bronk]

How long after he drops you off will he be in the car to drive back home? When a shuttle is billing mileage, they are probably (and should be) counting the miles from when they leave their house or place of business until they get back to their starting point (not yours). Its not just their time and gas, you're putting miles on their vehicle. Also keep in mind that in a service type business like this its not an 8 to 5 job. They may do one or two shuttles a day or one or two a week. There's an inconvenience factor. If it really is 70 miles I think 50 is too low. 75 is probably more like it, and some shuttlers would probably charge more.

[ARambler]

Although some shuttlers charge round trip miles from their base, or even by the hour from their base, most hikers correctly think of cost per mile of the shuttle. It is up to the shuttler to quote a higher price (or price per mile) if they have extra commute time. Higher prices would be appropriate for slow dirt roads. Short rides could be rounded up or given away... etc.
As stated $1/ mile is probably being supported by a business or just as giving their time to hikers. Occasionally, return shuttles can add to the shuttlers income.
A charge of $2/mile is the maximum of what most shuttlers charge and more than what most hikers are willing to pay. If your shuttler charged 70 based on round trip, I would not say they were ripping me off, but I would say I have more money than time if I did not look around for another shuttler. This is not the problem you face.
Lone Wolf knows the business.

[Lyle]

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