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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 18, 2006 New buses deliver skiiers to slopes Snow bunnies can catch a lift to Mount Ashland for $10 per round trip ticket By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Mount Ashland's new luxury buses mean comfortable, relaxed travel, with no equipment jammed around your seat — and a chance to save on gas and parking fees while doing the environment a favor. The two 47-passenger coaches started their runs Saturday and will be available daily through Jan. 1, except Christmas Day, at $10 for a round trip. They will run weekends after that. For the first time, skiers and snowboarders stashed their equipment in bays beneath the bus and headed up the freeway in cushy comfort, what Logan McKelvey of Ashland, a member of Mount Ashland Racing Association, described as "a lot nicer, faster and more comfortable than the slow and smelly school bus they used to have." Dropping his son off at the Windmill Ashland Hills Inn pickup point, Kevin McKelvey called it "a great service, because the whole family doesn't always want to go, but kids will go in any conditions." Speaking the thoughts of many a parent, mom K.C. Chamberlain of Ashland said, "We wouldn't have driven up there, so the bus made it possible" for her son Reese to go up the mountain. Advertisement The Mount Ashland ski access road is plowed when weather allows but often has long, snowy patches that require studded or chained tires and strong nerves. "The new bus is awesome, way better than the school bus," said Teja Kritka of Talent. "You don't have to jam your snowboard between the seats and the windows." "It's smooth — and a lot more room," said Josie Miller of Medford. The only "disappointment" is that the buses, operated by Rogue Valley Charter Service in Central Point, don't go to Grants Pass, so residents there are trying to set up a carpool to the first and northernmost point on the route, G.I. Joe's outdoor store in Medford, said Rick Saul, Mount Ashland spokesman. Pickup times are 7 a.m. at G.I. Joe's, 7:35 at WI-FX Studio, 301 E. Wagner St., Talent, 7:55 at Windmill Inn in Ashland, with arrival at the lodge at 8:45. The second bus loads at Holiday Inn Express, next to the Medford Armory, at 7:15 a.m. and the Ashland public library at 7:40 and arrives at Windmill Inn at 7:55. The return bus departs at 4:10 p.m. A five-trip ticket is $45. Each bus trip eliminates the need for 18 vehicle trips to the mountain and saves parking spaces. At the IRS reimbursable rate of 44.5 cents a mile, Saul said the buses cost about a third of a personal vehicle's expense, which, for an average 68-mile trip is $30.26 in gas and upkeep. "The new bus is a big difference. It takes more people and is more environmentally friendly," said Saul, who hopes it will lure more adult passengers. "The school bus experience in the past was the single-most defining part of limiting our clientele to someone who is used to riding a school bus daily," said Saul. "It was adequate for that demographic, but I'd want to ride something where you could put your equipment under the bus, get your feet on the floor and have a nice ride." The buses will not be used by students in after-school programs, as they have their own transportation, Saul said. There will be chaperones on the bus and rowdy kids are warned they will lose not only bus but ski lift privileges. Chaperone Michael Byrne of Grants Pass noted a couple of adults on the inaugural bus run, and he expects that ridership to grow, "especially if you have a nicer vehicle and you don't want to push against the elements and risk fender benders. It's always nice to be in the bus. You always make it up and back fine." Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com