Independent rideshares filling transportation needs in Rutland County

RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) - Finding an Uber or Lyft can be tough in Vermont when you’re outside the Chittenden County area, but some independent ride-share options are popping up in the Rutland County area.

“As far as I know, I was the only one for close to eight years, and it’s very tough,” said Craig Robideau, a former Rutland taxi driver who recently struck out on his own after driving for Uber for eight years. “Uber takes a big percentage of the money from the fares.”

Robideau and other independent drivers in the region use Facebook so riders can reach out to them.

It’s a little different for Tim Guiles up the road in Brandon, who drives a new electric van and helps out others. “A lot of my goal is to drive for people who don’t have cars because I really admire someone who will have a lifestyle without a car,” he said.

Guiles says he puts a lot of miles on his tires driving his neighbors where they need to get to, with set rates to some towns and out-of-state airports and train stations. “Occasionally I get the longer drives to Montreal or to Boston but more typically I go to Burlington or down to Rutland,” he said.

Dorothea Langevin also drove in the Brandon area but is now taking a hiatus. “It took quite a toll on my vehicle. Vermont roads are not gentle. It took quite a toll on me with just hours and hours and hours behind the steering wheel,” she said.

Langevin says Uber really isn’t meant for non-metropolitan areas after tooling around in her car for over a year. “It works great when you have oodles of drivers and oodles of passengers and your next ride is just five minutes away -- that’s what people count on,” she said.

Not all these independent drivers work the night shift or on weekends, but rides are available for most who are going out to celebrate the holiday. “If you’re gonna be out drinking and drinking -- don’t drive, call a cab,” Robideau said. “Call me if you’re in the Rutland area.”