Paul Leavy/The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — Are you tired of driving to Jacksonville to catch a flight, paying exhorbitant costs just to park your car at the airport? Are you looking for a spacious, professionally driven passenger bus that can ferry you and a small group of friends or co-workers to a conference or an out of state football game?

If so, there’s a new executive shuttle service opening in Valdosta on Oct. 6. Pearl Executive Shuttle features three passenger vans, one 14-passenger and two 12-passenger, that will be running regular daily trips to and from the Jacksonville airport, as well as availability for charter services.

Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer Larry S. Thomas says that he and his partners conducted feasibility studies to determine the need for the service prior to beginning the process to open the business.

“We found that there were more than 80,000 enplanements last year from Valdosta, but only 38,000 of those were from the Valdosta airport,” he said. “The rest were primarily from Jacksonville, with a number from Atlanta as well.”

Thomas said the idea originated with his friend, Dr. Richard Dasher, who returns to Valdosta frequently from his job as the director of the US-Asia Technology Management Center at Stanford University.

“Richard was frustrated with the flights around the Christmas holidays last year, and we started talking about setting up a shuttle service to and from Jacksonville. We decided that if we were going to do this, we were going to do it first class, with great customer service.”

The buses feature plush, comfortable seating, a smooth ride, and drivers that are very well trained and careful with their precious cargo.

Driver Dustin Sanders said he is a former tractor trailer driver, but wanted to stay in Valdosta, so this position is perfect for him.

When asked if he was going to provide entertainment or karaoke for his passengers, Sanders gave a laughing, but emphatic, “No!” All drivers are trained in CPR and the buses are equipped to summon emergency services as needed. There is no smoking on the buses, and no animals other than service animals on a leash will be allowed.

The company has thought of everything, including having service contracts with companies all along the travel route between Valdosta and Jacksonville. “We’ll never be more than 30 miles away from a service provider in the event of a breakdown or flat tire,” Thomas said.

The airport rides are $75 one way or $150 round trip and charter services range from $90-150 per hour.

“We’re not complaining about the Valdosta airport. They do a tremendous job and it’s not their fault that the service once you get to Atlanta is not very good. It’s hard to make a connecting flight, so for many people, it’s easier to drive to Jacksonville and get a direct flight just about wherever you want to go,” he said, adding that the Jacksonville airport is one of the fastest growing in the country.

Thomas said there have been requests already from travel agents, private companies and individuals about chartering one of the buses for trips to Biloxi or Tunica to the casinos, and to out of state Valdosta State University games.

He credits Scott Manley of VSU’s Small Business Development Center, the Chamber, and others with helping the business get off the ground.

The company logo is sleek and the buses are a classy black. “We want our branding to set us apart — luxurious, simple beauty — so people will recognize us.”

Dasher expects to begin services Oct. 6, when the final state and federal approvals are through the system. “We’re parked and ready to go whenever they’ll let us.”

Pearl Executive Shuttle’s Board of Directors includes Dasher and Thomas, as well as Dr. Donald Seat from VSU, and local businessmen Robert Padgett and Vance Hiers.

Those wishing to make a reservation can either call the company at 229-293-7883 or go online at www.pearlexecutiveshuttle.com.