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Lyft Services Now Offering Rides and Jobs In Madisonville

Screenshot from video, via HopkinsCounty1MillionCups Facebook, cropped

  Madisonville residents looking for a ride across town can now use the ride-sharing service Lyft. Local driver Craig Ferfecki said the area could benefit from Lyft, as it serves as an alternative to taxicabs and public buses that only offer services certain times during the week.
“There is actually no competition per say, compared to Lyft services. We do have some taxi's in Madisonville but the major complaint I have heard, is response time is slow and cost is high.” Ferfecki explained. “We do have bus services in Madisonville, the local transit system. But it only runs Monday through Friday, so evenings and weekends are wide open for services like Lyft.”

Ferfecki said he heard about Lyft after his daughter used the service while traveling. He had been meaning to find part-time work and said Lyft ended up being an option.
 

“To be a driver it just takes having a decent vehicle.” Ferfecki said. That vehicle has to pass inspection and the driver has to complete a background check. “So, there aren't any costs per-say to be a driver. Other than owning a vehicle and having insurance and that sort of thing.” He said.

“I basically turn on the app when I want to work and I turn off the app when I don't want to work so it is a very flexible job.”

It took less than two weeks for Ferfecki to start working part-time. He works some weeknights and during the weekend and says he averages an extra $100 dollars a week.

“I gave Lyft rides the last two evenings and just to take someone across town was only about $4 or $5. We do charge per mile and the amount of time you are in the vehicle. But generally to go across town or even a 10 or 15 mile trip is going to be $10 to $15 dollars.” Ferfecki said.

President of the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Cooperation Ray Hagerman said the more people hear about the service, the more he anticipates its use.

The service is looking to hire more drivers in Madisonville. Ferecki says he’d help train anyone interested. Right now, the only drivers in town are Ferfecki and his wife.

 

“I had my first Lyft hug last night. I had a gentleman I picked up, he was so ecstatic and excited about lyft being here in Madisonville. He said 'my gosh we have needed this for years.' So now, so many of his worries are gone.” Ferecki said being a Lyft driver has been rewarding the two months he has worked.

“Having more Lyft drivers is nothing but a bonus. It's been a very satisfying experience the two months that I have been doing it. I would love for other people to sign up.”

 

Nicole Erwin is a Murray native and started working at WKMS during her time at Murray State University as a Psychology undergraduate student. Nicole left her job as a PTL dispatcher to join the newsroom after she was hired by former News Director Bryan Bartlett. Since, Nicole has completed a Masters in Sustainable Development from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia where she lived for 2 1/2 years.
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