Village shuttle rates

[Frank2]

What do the Villagers think of the price increase to use the Village shuttle to OIA?

[Gary S]

I saw in another post that it made more sense to rent a car (one way) than take the shuttle.

I do not remember the numbers, but enterprise rent a car was mentioned. They were also taking into consideration the possibility of missing the shuttle due to a delayed flight (quite frequent now a days) and the convience of getting directly to your door.

It seemed to make sense to me.

[pvb526]

according to the paper today it said 35.00 "round trip". If that is true than its a better rate then 30.00 each way. I'm going to call tomorrow to see what the actual rate will be and then I'll get back to let you know.

[golfnut]

I thought it was $30 per person each way, let us know.

[Frank2]

On October 1st the Village shuttle rate to OIA will be $35/person each way.

I have contacted Enterprise Rentals where a intermediate size car can be rented for ~$25/day including tax and various unnecessary charges, and can be returned to Enterprise at Lake Sumter Landing. With the cost of tolls and fuel it is less than the price of two persons one way using the Village shuttle.

[Avista]

And by renting a car you have the choice of 2 airports to fly out of: Orlando and Tampa. You might save going through Tampa.

[swrinfla]

Right, Wednesday's article erroneously said $35 round trip. Today, there's a "sidebar" which gives a "new" schedule and corrected rates. {Note that the Sun is sometimes very sloppy in its writing}
I find it very strange that TV has invested in two new vehicles (probably close to 100 grand each), but has, according to the "new" schedule, reduced the number of trips to Orlando by one! Very weird!
I have usually used the rule-of-thumb that I will use my own car if, and only if, the daily parking fee at or near the airport will amount to less than a round-trip shuttle/taxi fare. It is becoming more likely that I will drive myself for any trip of less than seven-eight days!

[golfnut]

Shuttle rate currently is $30 per person each way. I just talked to Enterprise, if I pick up at the Orlando airport the daily rate with taxes and everything is $16 a day for a compact car (Dodege Neon). Since were coming next month for just a long weekend, Wednesday thru Sunday, the total cost for the car is $65, versus $120 for the shuttle, if we were staying longer i would look into dropping the car at the Enterprise office at TV.

[Barefoot]

The Village Shuttle Service was one of the things that sold us on moving to TV! I'm retired but my husband is still working (in Canada) for another couple of years. So he will be flying back and forth (one way trips) fairly frequently. I am intimidated by driving on strange highways to busy airports, and I'm not a great driver at the best of times. (Hoping to do better in a golf cart, but I'll warn you when I'm coming so you can watch out for me). So the Shuttle Service was a perfect solution for us, and seems reasonable to me at $35 a trip.

I think a lot of seniors don't like driving for medical reasons or because they feel uncomfortable, and the Shuttle Service is a godsend for them. When girlfriends pop down for a visit, they can take the Shuttle and I'll meet them at the Station in my Golf Cart (to be purchased, got a four seater for sale?) Sounds perfect to me.

[golfnut]

I couldn't agree more, if you're coming in and staying for a while or evn better if friends are coming down it is a great convenience. You can call ahead and reserve a spot on the shuttle (as a matter of fact you should do this as shuttles can fill up and they take people with reservations first!) and pay with a credit card over the phone if you like.

[darbyduff]

We are flying down to Orlando Sept 5th. We had been down before and rented (enterprise) a car BUT this time we didn't want the hassle. (It took us 4 hours to drive to TV because there was a fire on the turnpike and we had to take a s l o w detour. When we figured out the cost ($30 1 wy for 1 person) of the shuttle ... No way Jose!

Oh.. Barefoot... I am really a "nillie" driver too and I agree. I can't wait to try out the golf cart lifestyle....We'll have to practice doing "wheelies" together before we strick out on our way through the villages!!! Watch out guys....Barefoot and I are coming.........

[Barefoot]

Golfnut: Good point about calling for reservations .. I didn't know you could do that! That's why I love this site, I always learn so much. Also, the fact I can pay for my guest's transportation by Visa rather than picking them up is a plus.

DarbyD: We need to buy a golf cart in October when we arrive for the first time --- do you also need to buy a cart? Gas or electric, have you decided? I definitely need a four seater so I can transport my furry friends around town. One weighs 70 lbs, not lap material. If you get there first, please let me know where you get your cart .. I am looking forward so much to the golf cart lifestyle, evening entertainment, etc. I am SO excited, I bet you are also!

[golfnut]

barefoot, there a couple nice electric carts for sale on this site, you can always add a back seat, and if you get a flip seat it may work out better for your dog. We have an electric and even though we want to buy another cart I am hoping to stay with another electric,they are quiet and no fumes.

[PJ]

Golfnut, can you really add a back seat? If so I want to do that to mine. Do you, or anyone else, know where I could have this done and about how much it will cost? Do I have to change anything else to compensate for extra weight (seat & people), mine is electric. Thanks for any tips!

[Barefoot]

Golfnut: I would prefer electric, I've heard they are quieter and less smelly.
Some questions, probably stupid: :joke: We will be "seasonal" .. can you leave a battery for six months and reuse it again? I read something about electric having to be towed because they run out of charge. Would that be a problem in TV? How does the price of electric compare to gas? About what does a used four-seater electric cost?

Who better to ask questions of, than a golf nut?

[darbyduff]

hey barefoot - I'll charge your car while your gone... "for real" . I think I'm leaning toward gas... Just by what everyone (but Jan) has said on this site. Yup.. it smells, but I don't want to run out of Juice and have to call for a lift etc just because I forgot to charge the battery. And also..... I would never have to worry about buying a new battery every few years... Just gas up..... Over all .... I'm still not sure but leaning toward gas.

[golfnut]

Yes PJ it's not too difficult to add a back seat, you can buy one at buggiesunlimited.com and install it yourself if you're handy with a wrench, if not check with some golf cart repair people (look in Daily Sun) and I'm sure you can find someone. Buggies Unlimited sells the seat for around $400, I recommend getting the flip seat. The cart pictured below I had the seat put on after I bought it, I didn't have to do anything to springs or anything else. Barefoot, I have a neighbor go in the garage and charge my cart every other month when I'm gone for 6 months. These electric carts go a long way before they need to be charged, mine has an amber light that flashes when you have a half hour left to let you know you are low on charge, in the 100's of times I've used the cart I've only had the light flash once and I was already on my way home anyway. As long as you plug it in at night after you've used it it will always have a full charge when you start the day. The chargers/carts have on-board computers and know how long they need to charge and shut off automatically when they are done charging. Looks to me like a good used cart would be $3,500 - $4,000 (see the ads here under Items For Sale), then figure $500 - $600 to add a seat.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/eksharp8/clubcarlake.jpg

[pili]

Is this shuttle to Orlando International or Tampa? Which airport is closest?

[golfnut]

Orlando, it is shorter by about 30 miles.

[Avista]

I would disagree. We have drive to both airports, and they are about the same. My husband said Tampa is a hour and 15 minutes toll free non stop right to the airport.

I have nothing against Orlando, but there are quite a few tolls. I usually see where I can get the least expensive flight.

[Talk Host]

From my house to Orlando airport is 70.7 miles.
From my house to Tampa airport is 90.3 miles

[opbob77]

Although the shuttle is definately a convenience, I also look at the length of time I'm to be away and take the cheapest way out; ie., pay to park or take the shuttle. However, even at $30/person one way (plus $5 for golf clubs) I thought it was pricey. There's an old saying some of you may have heard; "Pigs get fat, Hogs get slaughtered!"

[Barefoot]

Is there a shuttle to Tampa airport as well as to Orlando?

Golfnut: Thanks for the great info about adding a seat to golf carts .... and, based on your post, I'm convinced that electric is the way to go. Your cart is pretty spiffy, want to sell it in October? ;D

[Avista]

Barefoot, There is no shuttle to Tampa. Another alternative is to hire one of the drivers listed in The Villages Sun. I have never done this, nor do I know their rates, but I do see the ads.

[Barefoot]

Avista, thanks for the info. Something to keep in mind. Might be worthwhile if Rick (who will still be working) can get less expensive flights out of Tampa.

Darby, you said you're leaning toward gas, did you see Golfnut's comments about running out of battery? I think I'm now leaning toward electric (and I'll take you up on your offer to charge it every couple of months) ;D

[PJ]

Thanks golfnut for the info on adding a seat to my cart! I may try it.

[golfnut]

I think you find it's not that tough to install and if you can't someone will be able to do it for you. Did you look at the buggiesunlimited website, they have a lot of cool stuff for carts.

[jjdees]

Thanks for the web site Golfnut. It's great. I had been looking for an accessories site but without much luck.

[golfnut]

I've bought a lot of stuff from them including the cover you see on my cart in my avatar, they are real good to work with. If you have any type of question on carts call their 800 number.

[Frank2]

Barefoot,

If you purchase an electric golf cart speak to the dealer about having to leave it for several months.

I leave my cart for approximately four to five months without a problem. If you fully charge the battery and leave the "switch" in the, "Tow" position there is really no need to charge the battery on an interim basis.

When you return put the charger on again just to top off the battery charge.

Of course, you'll maintain the appropriate water level all the time. Don't charge the batteries when the water is blow the plates. This practice shortens the battery life considerably.

I find plugging in the cart after each use works fine for me without fear of an, "empty voltage tank," ever.

Good luck and welcome to the electric cart world. You're gonna love it.

[golfnut]

Frank, I've heard that even with the cart in tow and switch in neutral, high heat can discharge the batteries, now my cart that is stored in Michigan for 6 months that's a different story.

[Frank2]

Golfnut,

Thanks for the information concerning high heat contributing to battery discharge.

I can live with that as long as the batteries recharge when I plug 'em back into the charger.

However, if the high heat contributes to shortening the battery life, that would be of concern to me. Good question next time I'm at the dealership.

Thank you.

[golfnut]

Frank, if you talk to the dealer I'd be interested what they say about leaving it stored in the garage during the summer and how often it should be charged.

[zcaveman]

I am not sure how carts and batteries and charging, etc made its way into Van Shuttle Rates but I think that it is doing a big disservice to those that would like to know about Carts and batteries and charging, etc instead on Van Shuttles.

When you switch topics inside a topic would you please start another topic so that other interested people could get involved?

This is not just you but I get to lots of other topics where the original topic switches to an off topic that others would benefit from.

Sorry for the vent but I get upset going to a post to get some info and oranges become apples.

[golfnut]

I know what you mean Z but I have yet to see a topic that doesn't meandor through different subjects, it starts by going slightly off track and just keeps moving farther off track, but if people keep posting someone must see some value, I'm not sure what can be done, I say go with the flow, if it doesn't interest you move on.

[The Great Fumar]

As long as we are on the SUBJECT.... ;D ;D ;D[b]I go back and forth to northern michigan and have two golf carts in my garage in TV...I've been doing this for four years and haven't had any trouble with my batteries..before I leave I fill them all and put the lever in neutral and top off the charges...never had a problem and still have the original batteries..........I am returning in two weeks and will be there until may..(can't wait)..
I have been thinking about selling one and buying a gas cart...But only because some of the golf courses are getting so far away.....Electric is the only way to go unless you really want to go the the south end of TV....about 14 miles for me as I live in Chatham and wouldn't live anywhere else ;D ;D ;D

[golfnut]

Thanks for the info great, I guess I won't worry about it. Do you have a battery gauge on either cart, if so what does it register when you get back and how long are you gone in the summer? I'm thinking of getting another cart and am pretty sure it will be gas, last time we looked I liked the EZ Go gas and also liked the yesteryear carts.

[Barefoot]

I am not sure how carts and batteries and charging, etc made its way into Van Shuttle Rates but I think that it is doing a big disservice to those that would like to know about Carts and batteries and charging, etc instead on Van Shuttles.

When you switch topics inside a topic would you please start another topic so that other interested people could get involved?

This is not just you but I get to lots of other topics where the original topic switches to an off topic that others would benefit from.

Sorry for the vent but I get upset going to a post to get some info and oranges become apples.

[Barefoot]

I am not sure how carts and batteries and charging, etc made its way into Van Shuttle Rates but I think that it is doing a big disservice to those that would like to know about Carts and batteries and charging, etc instead on Van Shuttles.

When you switch topics inside a topic would you please start another topic so that other interested people could get involved?

This is not just you but I get to lots of other topics where the original topic switches to an off topic that others would benefit from.

Sorry for the vent but I get upset going to a post to get some info and oranges become apples.


Z .. I know what you mean about posts getting off topic .. When I was a "newbie" to TOTV, I started a post asking for names of contractors and it ended up being about where to book a Thanksgiving dinner!!?? But ya know, You get used to it, and it becomes entertainment .. I learned to do what Golfnut says and "Go with the flow". It is such a great site, and great people, I just love it a lot. ;D

[zcaveman]

I am going with the flow. It is just too bad that those members that wanted to know about electric golf carts are not getting the info. Maybe someone will open a post about it and everyone that posted can repost the same info to the correct post.

But I'm a flowing.

[Kitria]

Whoa!!!s What happened to staying on topic! I will start a topic on Gas versus Electric carts.

[Kitria]

on the topic of shuttle.

My husband and I have found that if going away for a week from TV, it makes sense to drive down and park off site of the Orlando airport. Shuttles from the parking lots come and go quite frequently. Is easy and less than, BY FAR, than the 120 dollar shuttle cost even with the tolls. (sunpass is nice to have)

With one person company coming in, the shuttle is often the way to go. Or going out one person, time, tolls, and gas needs to be considered. The other thing is time the plane leaves or arrives. Many of my company come in after the last shuttle leaves, so a car trip to MCO is necessary. After doing the trip several times, it gets pretty easy.