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Schuylkill Valley Airport Shuttle
Provides the Missing Link
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previously featured members
When US Airlines
eliminated their flights connecting Reading and Philadelphia, Tim Rounsville recognized an opportunity, and for the past year he’s
worked tirelessly to create a successful business shuttling people
between the Reading and Philadelphia airports.
Everyday, the
Schuylkill Valley Airport Shuttle van makes five or six round trips
between the Reading and Philadelphia airports delivering people to
their flights or bringing them back home. The van holds up to ten
people and luggage comfortably. The service has been embraced equally
by businesses and by individuals on vacation who recognize that it
makes great sense to park for free in Reading and have someone drive
you to Philadelphia
The idea occurred
to Tim after visiting a friend in Prescott, Arizona. As always, he
flew into Phoenix and took a shuttle to Prescott. On his way back
home, Tim says “a light went off in my head” and he knew that he was
going to start a similar shuttle service in Reading. Tim’s background
was in cost accounting and he quickly put together a business plan to
determine the feasibility of his idea. He quickly filed an application
with the PUC. It took several months and involved several hearings,
but finally, he received approval to operate the only airport shuttle
in Berks County.
After almost a year
from the day he decided to begin the business, he drove his first load
of passengers to Philadelphia. The initial trip was made for Brentwood
Plastics, a customer he still serves today.
To promote his
service, Tim advertised in the Sunday Reading Eagle for the first few
months. Since then, repeat business and word of mouth has kept the
phone ringing. After one year, Tim has established a solid reputation
for reliable service. Like many entrepreneurs beginning a business,
Tim drove the van himself for the first year. He says he worked
endless hours, but he’s glad he did. Now, he says, he knows the ropes
and understands what to expect from his employees.
He’s also ready to
grow the business. Beginning this month, a second van has been added
to the fleet and another full time driver has been added to the
payroll. He was intent on hiring someone who would deliver the same
high level of service he offered.
His goal in the
future is to operate five vans and offer scheduled service that
leaves hourly from both Reading and Philadelphia.
Tim’s rates are
attractive. A one way trip between the Reading and Philadelphia
airports is only:
$30 per
person for a party of one;
$25 per
person for a party of two;
$20 per
person for a party of three or four; and
$15 per
person for a party of five or more.
To schedule
service, call 610 929-1775. Tim wants to serve fellow members of
BottomLine Partners. Identify yourself as a member when you call to
book a trip and you’ll receive special consideration.
As an entrepreneur who has succeeded in creating a new company, Tim
offers these suggestions to anyone about to start a new business.
- Start with a written business
plan. The Kutztown SBDC offers plenty of free help if you need it.
- Be prepared for lots of hard work
and long hours.
- Be adaptable – not everything goes
as planned and you need to be flexible.
- Continue to
learn about your market. Things never stay the same. New
opportunities and new challenges arise constantly.
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