It seems some people are always driving – the ones who take friends and family places, the ones who get “volunteered” to sit behind the wheel on trips – and they usually do it with a smile. Hilda Perkins is one of those. In fact, she created her own business based on it: On Time Van Service.
“We pride ourselves on being on time,” she said. “The name says it all.”
On Time Van Service offers regular routes for people going to work or nearby attractions such as the casino in Grant, Okla. The service is flexible, as well, with able-bodied seniors, patients and other riders able to book trips to the doctor or where ever they need to go – including Medicare/Medicaid patients, with at least a day’s notice for approval. Monthly and weekly passes are available.
“We are a prepaid program in most cases. Once you get on board our system, you pay, and I make sure you get there safely,” Perkins said. “If someone goes to the doctor, we will wait and bring you here.”
And that’s in addition to the fact that On Time is available to transport cargo or for charter trips to just about anywhere.
“Anyone can charter us,” Perkins said. “We will customize our schedule to meet your needs – girls night out, church events, work events.”
Regular routes stay within 100 miles of Paris so Perkins can make sure riders reach their destination on time – any further, and it gets more difficult, she said.
On Time has a fleet of two vans with a capacity of 25 passengers. They can be booked by calling 903-905-4979 or 214-907-5886 or via email at ontime.paris@gmail.com.
“We keep them well-maintained. I pursue well-trained drivers. Everyone has to be drug tested and alcohol tested, and we run background checks,” Perkins said. “Our vans are clean. We are friendly. We are respectful, and we appreciate the business people give to us.”
Her attention to detail is what helps On Time live up to its motto: “Safety is our first priority.”
A retired teacher, Perkins started On Time in January 2011 because she saw a need. Her first major piece of business was taking Tyson employees from Red River County to work in Broken Bow. Rising fuel prices put a dent in the number of riders. Rather than giving up or scaling back, Perkins rolled up her entrepreneurial sleeves and looked for ways to expand. After all, she wasn’t the only one facing higher gas prices. There are also those without cars or people who need the capacity of a large vehicle for a special occasion.
“With the cost of fuel, tires and maintenance, riding a regularly scheduled van service would be a wise idea, because it would save you money, and if you have a long work shift, you don’t have to worry about driving exhausted,” she said.
“Cars are not cheap, either. If you can get to work for X amount of of dollars, without a car note, that would be a pretty good deal, wouldn’t it?”
Perkins offices at Red River Regional Business Incubator (R3bi) on Clarksville Street. She appreciates the development program and mentoring available.
“It’s good not to be in the business world by yourself,” she said. “It’s good to have support.”
For more information, visit www.ontimevanservicellc.com.
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