Kingsbury Express popular alternative as gas prices rise

Bob Colescott said he's ridden BlueGO's Kingsbury Express since the service began in January.

"It's almost like getting a raise, because you're not spending the money on gas," Colescott said.

For 18 years, Colescott has commuted from Gardnerville to his job at Harrah's Lake Tahoe Casino, working as a shift security manager. These days, he's still commuting but letting someone else drive.

The Kingsbury Express runs between Stateline Transit Center and the Gardnerville skateboard park, making stops along the route. Big George Ventures helped fund the service with a $1 million donation, and a federal clean-fuels grant backed the project, so all buses run on biodiesel.

The shuttle not only has considerably reduced Colescott's time behind the wheel, but it also cut his gas expenses. Colescott said he used to fill the tank in his full-size truck every 10 days, but now he goes three to four weeks between fill-ups.

Colescott calculated he spent about $11 per day on gas when driving his vehicle to and from Stateline. He figures he now spends only about $4 per day and added that he's saving more than $1,500 per year by not driving on his own.

Because Colescott isn't driving as much, his car-insurance rates have been reduced.

"It's so much more convenient to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride to and from work," he said.

Other people are taking advantage of the convenience, too. Colescott said he's encountered folks who use the shuttle to come up for skiing, to visit the casinos and participate in other activities outside of work.

The shuttle averages from seven to 15 riders per bus, which can seat 33 people, said Karen Fink, associate transportation planner for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. Ridership was 1,416 in February; for its first two weeks of operation in January, it was 733. Ridership numbers for March were not available Tuesday.

Fink said the long-term goal is to provide more runs from which riders may choose. Officials think more people will opt to use the shuttle because of rising gas prices.

Kingsbury Express fares

Round-trip ticket: $5

10-ride pass: $22

One-month pass: $90

Three-month pass: $260

For schedule information, go to KingsburyExpress.com or call (775) 883-2100.