VERNON — It turns out there is taxi service in Brattleboro.
Except it's not in Brattleboro.
“We're located 7/10 of a mile outside of Brattleboro, on Broad Brook Road in Vernon,” said Terri Hendricks, who, with her husband Thomas, owns Vernon Transportation Service.
Hendricks confirmed her company serves clients going to and coming from Brattleboro.
It's also not a taxi; it's a car service, and that's different, Hendricks said. According to its registration, a car service can transport customers through pre-arrangement only, while patrons can hail a taxi from the street, she explained.
With the closing of Brattleboro Taxi in June, some residents and visitors in need of a ride found themselves without a way to get around. Because Vernon Transportation Service doesn't advertise, those who were stranded didn't know the company existed.
“We don't have to advertise. We don't have to do anything” to bring in enough business, Hendricks said. “It's all about word-of-mouth.”
In operation for nearly two years, Vernon Transportation Service has two full-time and two part-time drivers, and a fleet of five vehicles. Two of them, the mini-bus and the wheelchair van, the Hendrickses purchased from Brattleboro Taxi when that company pulled the plug.
Their two part-time drivers also came from Brattleboro Taxi.
Although Vernon Transportation Service doesn't work with The Current for their Dial-A-Ride program, Hendricks noted three drivers are wheelchair-certified. Local hospitals, social service organizations, schools, private companies, and hotels work with her company to transport their clients, she said.
“We've taken people as far as Philadelphia and Syracuse,” Hendricks said, and noted drivers will go to “all the airports except Logan [in Boston], because it's a mess!”
Hendricks said her company provides “extras,” such as picking up prescriptions and groceries for the elderly and infirm, and helping patrons get their packages to the door.
She also noted Vernon Transportation Service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Our normal turn-around time is 10-15 minutes from the time you call. If it's longer, we let people know that up front,” she said.
“You can call us in the middle of the night. You might pay a little more, but we'll pick you up,” Hendricks said.