ST. GEORGE – When a remnant of Hurricane Norbert blasted through the region last week it closed down the highway and stranded untold numbers of people along the way. Roadways became impassable as the rains turned desert washes into rivers that even destroyed portions of Interstate 15 near Moapa, Nevada.
Now imagine passing through that storm in a shuttle bus in hopes of reaching St. George.
Micah Hamm Whitehead was riding back to St. George with St. George Shuttle that afternoon and briefly recounted her experience on the St. George Shuttle Facebook page:
Took the shuttle home yesterday from the (Las Vegas) airport at 2:30 p.m. Hit the terrible scary weather about Moapa and it didn’t quit till we got past Cedar Pocket. I have to say my shuttle driver was the best! I never write reviews but that man was an excellent driver. He was cautious and amazingly calm throughout the terrible weather. Tell him a big thank you!
As the storms continued, I-15 closed at the Utah-Arizona state line. People making their way either to or from Las Vegas were stranded and it wasn’t known at the time when I-15 would open up again.
“As soon as we knew the roads were safe enough for our vehicles and our drivers, we sent a rescue mission” to get stranded passengers, said Ali Hill, marketing director for St. George Shuttle.
Mary Monaghan Hayes and her husband were among those stranded in Las Vegas. She also shared her experience with St. George Shuttle and members of its staff on the company’s Facebook page:
My husband and I were supposed to take your shuttle home to St. George Monday evening when we became stranded in Las Vegas due to the flooding and I-15 being washed out. Your staff practically moved heaven and earth the next day to ensure that none of your passengers were left behind. I dealt with Dave Z. who was so extremely helpful and accommodating, and your driver Kelly is truly my hero for what he did to get all of us home. Thank you to the staff for all you did to get us home safe and sound! We are fans for life!
With I-15 partially reopen and minor delays reported on alternative routes by Friday, St. George Shuttle is running its regular routes to Las Vegas and back once more.
“Our sole purpose is to provide a service that is safe, with drivers that are knowledgeable and experienced, and can bring our community safely home in times of trouble,” Hill said.
St. George Shuttle
St. George Shuttle has been in business for over 20 years and has worked hard to provide safe, clean, and reliable service to the community, owner C.J. Wade said. Wade took over St. George Shuttle five years ago.
“We have vehicles people can rely on and staff they can trust,” Hill said.
St. George Shuttle is widely known for its runs to Las Vegas’s MaCarran International Airport. However, it also offers rides to Salt Lake City and places in between.
The company recently moved into a new facility on Red Hills Parkway in St. George and added additional services the public can take advantage of. It also has new rates for its executive shuttle riders to Las Vegas.
Effective Sept. 15, one-way shuttle service to McCarran International Airport is:
- $29 for Economy: Riders get bench seating and air conditioning
- $39 for Standard: Riders get individual seating, a raised roof, and air conditioning.
- $49 for Executive: Riders get free wifi, captain seating, bottled water, and additional services.
“We’ve made it easy; 29, 39, and 49,” Wade said. “It’s really great if you think about it. It’s really inexpensive.”
The shuttle service makes a total of 14 scheduled trips to Las Vegas daily, as well as three daily runs to Salt Lake City, Wade said. Additional buses can easily be added to the fleet as needed to fit rider demand, he said.
People who use St. George Shuttle are also able to park their cars are the at shuttle terminal for free, provided there’s a parking space, whch there usually is, Wade said. Reserve parking is also available for $5 a day.
Lights situated around the parking lot stay lit at night for additional safety and protection, Wade said.
St. George Shuttle’s new facility, located at 1275 E. Red Hills Parkway, in St. George, is larger than it’s previous Bluff Street location and offers a comfortable place where people can wait on arrivals and departures.
“One thing we’re trying to do is offer a nice facility where people can wait,” Wade said.
Additional services
While St. George Shuttle runs to Las Vegas and Salt Lake and everywhere in between, St. George Executive Shuttle makes daily runs to McCarran International Airport exclusively for those who don’t want make multiple stops along the way.
St. George Taxi is a taxi service for St. George and the surrounding area, while St. George Charter offers the use of private vehicles like a four-seat Chrysler 300M to a 25-seat bus.
And for that wedding, school dance, or whatever the occasion, St. George Shuttle also offers LIMO service.
“With St. George Shuttle you can choose your ride,” Hill said. “We have everything available.”
People can call St. George Shuttle at 435-628-8320, or toll free at 800-933-8320, for booking information 24-hours a day thanks to a call center the company maintains.
“We never close,” Wade said. “We’re open for 24 hours.”
Resources
- St. George Shuttle: Website | Facebook
- Address: 1275 E. Red Hills Parkway, St. George, Utah
- Phone: 435-628-8320/Toll free 800-933-8320
- Hours: Open 24 hours
A D V E R T O R I A L
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.
This place is a joke… From personal experience I know they NEVER give refunds without hassle no matter the circumstance. And I had the grumpiest driver EVER!! All the sudden they are going to look and act like heroes for advertisement ? ? There are other transportation companies in town that I would pick first in a heart beat. I have always used St George Express Shuttle. They are much nicer and just as affordable! I would say Ready Cab is a great taxi. They take my 82 year old mother grocery shopping and to her doctor appointments anytime I’m out of town. She always says how sweet they are 🙂
Perhaps their “attitude” is a direct response to YOUR “attitude?”
Maybe they were having an off day…it just wasn’t a good way to start my work week in Vegas. I have used their shuttle a couple times just to get to Vegas and it just was an issue of some sort every time . The prices are good but after a couple rides I decided I’d rather have punctuality and better customer service for my mother and myself .
As a woman in my 50’s working at the Vegas airport, I have to deal with enough grumpy men lol
I hope the Wades paid for this ad; gotta pay the light bill.
At the bottom (in small letters): “Advertorial” They paid for the ad, and it proves that this “news” website is for sale to the highest bidder.
The shuttle has gone down hill ever since Jeff sold it. When Jeff owned the service it was a pleasant experience. Now it’s just another Wade in town trying to make some CASH