Friday, Jan. 09, 2009

Moving in the slow lane: Owner hopes to revive low-speed transportation service

CHARLESTON -- Rickshaw and taxi drivers decried the golf cart look-alikes that popped up on their turf over the summer.

They rallied against the battery-operated business snatchers, lobbying the city of Charleston to shut down low-speed vehicles. As it turned out, the city's legal department did just that, though not out of empathy.

City attorneys decided the Tomberlin E-Merge violated city code and a zoning ordinance.

But with a new tourist season approaching, Smart Cart Limo Service owner Tim Holbrook said he hopes to have his two Tomberlins back on the street by March. City officials seem less optimistic.

In a September letter, an assistant city attorney wrote to Holbrook that his carts were not equipped for operation on the interstate and highways. As such, they are not allowed on the peninsula.

The letter went on to say that a city zoning ordinance prohibits short-term rental of low-speed vehicles in a majority of the city. And that Holbrook could not receive his necessary certificate of public convenience and necessity.

"We must inform you that you may not operate your Tomberlin vehicles as a limousine and/or taxi cab in the City of Charleston," the letter continued.

Holbrook believes Charleston's resistance will only put it behind the curve on an environmentally friendly taxi service gaining attention across the nation. He helped launch the product in San Diego and Key West, he said, and he has his eye on a dozen other cities.

"I hope that Charleston would be a forward-thinking city, realizing this vehicle is certainly the wave of the future," he said. "You'll be seeing it all over the country."

Plus, Holbrook argues, he already has a license from the state Office of Regulatory Commission.

"Rather than getting in a fight saying, ‘I don't need authority from you,' I would rather work hand in hand and not fist to fist," he said.

City attorneys caution that the state license does not give him a right to continue in Charleston.

Holbrook's two Smart Carts pulled in an average of $500 per day while in operation locally between early July and late September, he said. As managing director of Destination Logistics — a shuttle service between Kiawah Island and Charleston — he also oversees a fleet of more than 90 limousines, town cars, vans and buses.

He expects the low-speed vehicles to return to city discussions early this year and hopes for reconsideration.

Holbrook said the newest model of low-speed vehicles comes out next month with longer battery life. Until then, he said he'll wait.

"March is a good target for us," he said. "But ultimately, that depends on the process of our local government."

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