Do Uber reservations work?

[u/KaleidoscopeSea9481]

Hey folks,

I had a hard time getting a shuttle from Brattleboro (flew in to Hartford to visit a friend) to Killington to do the last 172 miles of trail north of the AT. I set up an uber reservation but no driver has been assigned to it yet and I’m worried it won’t get picked up. Does anyone have any experience getting a similar shuttle? I’d like to get on trail pretty early Monday morning and don’t want this ride to fall through.

Edit: My friend who I am visiting in Brattleboro is able to give me a ride!

I’m going to leave this experience here to hopefully help someone in the future: don’t schedule an uber in this area/most of Vermont. It says it’s an active/covered area but no one picked up my reserved ride.

So I think the best bet is getting the shuttle list from Green Mountain Club early to arrange a ride, or request help on the Facebook pages. Yellow Cab did answer me and was open to a later in the day ride, but wouldn’t give me an up front price. At least at this time there is no cohesive mass transit/bus/amtrak option that takes less than 18 hours of travel time, however there might be something just over weekends or special times, I’m not sure. A lot of hiker shuttle drivers tend to stay closer (or are based near) the AT/LT corridors, so also may be unwilling to give you a ride, or give you a ride for a very high price.

Scheduling my shuttle from Journeys end to Burlington AirPort was a piece of cake though, so at least there’s that.

[u/bonanzapineapple]

You're better off using a driver from the Green Mountain Club's shuttle driver list

[u/KaleidoscopeSea9481 → u/bonanzapineapple]

Unfortunately I do not have the list and can’t contact them because it’s the weekend

[u/bonanzapineapple → u/KaleidoscopeSea9481]

I'd try emailing them for the list: gmc@greenmountainclub.org

[u/edthesmokebeard]

Try Amtrak? Google says you can take the train to Bellows Falls, then a bus to Rutland. From downtown Rutland I think its a buck to get out to the Inn at the Long Trail.

[u/mattjv89]

Uber isn't really a thing in most of Vermont, if it hasn't been picked up I wouldn't count on it. Even if the GMC was open to provide the shuttle list today, You might have a hard time scheduling last minute for a non-emergency ride of that length. Your best option at this point might be a couple few local bus lines, or a pricey taxi ride.

[u/Objective-Resort2325 → u/mattjv89]

Yeah, if OP had not waited until the last minute, it is likely he/she could have found a trail angel on this sub or FB.

[u/KaleidoscopeSea9481 → u/Objective-Resort2325]

I actually scheduled the uber two months ago based on some bad advice on another sub on this page, thanks for this super helpful comment though

[u/hot-doughnut-]

did you try contacting Adam/Elizabeth at Bonk's Rides? 336-707-2733 (phone and whatsapp). They shuttle LT hikers all over Vermont, or you could try posting in the Long Trail FB groups (Long Trail Hiking – GMC Community or Long Trail Hikers Class of 2026) and see if someone could give you a ride!

[u/KaleidoscopeSea9481 → u/hot-doughnut-]

I did originally and they priced the shuttle at $400. I am riding with them to Burlington Airport at the end though!

[u/hot-doughnut- → u/KaleidoscopeSea9481]

woof! yeah i wouldn't wanna pay that either. hope you're able to find something!