Designated driver business thrives in the Classic City

Designated driver business thrives in the Classic City
By Dana J. Hortman


ATHENS, Ga., -- It’s Friday night in the Classic City.

You and your friends are stress free for the weekend and ready to let loose from the weekly class routine.

You hit up your favorite local hot spots—Terrapin, General Beauregard’s, The Winery.

Several hours and drinks later, the world isn’t looking as clear as it had when you drove downtown. Panicked, you’re probably thinking, “How am I going to get home?”

The solution: Zingo Athens.

The popularity of Zingo Athens Designated Drivers is continuing to prosper with business from many university students who choose to use a more unique alternative form of transportation when leaving the bars.

Launched in April of 2008 by three local Athenians Scott Allen, Matt Presnell and Travis Presnell, Zingo Athens Designated Drivers is an Atlanta-based charter that offers Athenians a truly one of a kind driver/chauffer service.

The Zingo’s designated driver arrives at the customer’s location on a Di Blasi, an Italian manufactured folding motorbike.

The R series Di Blasi motorbike, 64 lb. dry and 70 lbs. wet, is folded up into a canvas tote and placed in the trunk of the customer’s vehicle.

Next, the Zingo designated driver drives the customer’s vehicle to his or her location, removes the motorbike, and returns to the Zingo headquarters located downtown.

“I think it’s about the same as taking a taxi, the same risks are involved,” said Ashley Hall, a senior advertising major from Lawrenceville, Ga. “Some random person is driving you home. Hopefully, you’re not alone in your own car; because the driver knows you’re alone and where you live. But I guess it’s the same with taxis.”

“I think Zingo would be safer for students, especially females,” said Jamarl Glenn, a University of Georgia alumnus. “The fact is most people can recognize the Zingo driver’s because of their standard uniform and scooter. But, you don’t really know the taxi driver.”

The Atlanta-based company, Zingo Transportation, Inc., was founded in October 2005 by entrepreneur’s Jim Valentine and Charles Barfield.

A year later, they were joined by PX Head, who is currently the company president and resides over all nationwide development of the Zingo concept.

According to an interview posted on Daryn Kagan.com, Head was involved in a drinking and driving accident that killed his friend and fraternity brother, Benjamin Hawkins on June 11, 2004.

Head and some friends, including Hawkins, had been out drinking and were on their way home when Head lost control of the car and hit a utility pole.

He was charged with vehicular homicide, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years of probation.

As president, Head’s job includes establishing the Zingo brand across the country.

Georgia isn’t the only state following the Zingo trend. Other locations include cities in Arizona, California, Florida and North Carolina.

The Classic City is the 12th city across the nation to adopt this extraordinary form of designated driver services.

“I’m not familiar with Zingo, but it seems like a good idea,” said Sumner Bain, a senior psychology major from Atlanta. “One of the main reasons I don’t go downtown is because I live out too far from downtown and taxis are expensive, especially going back and forth from the bars.”

“I guess I would try Zingo, because then, I know my car wouldn’t get towed or I wouldn’t have to find someone to drive me back to my car the next morning,” Hall said.

For customers interested in utilizing Zingo’s services, the Zingo Website recommends calling 30 to 40 minutes in advance of when you want your driver to arrive.

The expected time of arrival for a Zingo driver can range anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

The cost is a $20 pick-up fee, which includes the first 3 miles, plus a $2-per-mile thereafter.

Pricing also includes a 25 percent discount for students, including those who attend the University of Georgia.

To learn more information about Zingo Athens and the many services they offer to the Classic City, visit the Zingo Website at http://www.zingoathens.com/.