Two sleek

motor coaches were shined up and ready to roll Tuesday

morning at 4:15, and drivers were on hand.

Only one

thing was missing as Phoenix Star Transportation Service

prepared to inaugurate shuttle service from Peachtree

City to Hartsfield International Airport... the riders.

"All

we need are the customers," said Stuart Hoff,

president of Phoenix Star, after the abortive first day

of operations.

Phoenix

Star is offering a park-and-ride shuttle to anyone who

needs a ride, but has targeted Delta Air Lines workers in

hopes of building an initial customer base. The airline

recently conducted a survey in which 640 respondents

indicated at least some interest in leaving their cars at

home and taking a bus to work.

Hoff said

he probably will put off the first day of service until

Monday, because letters mailed to Delta employees

informing them of the new service didn't get out in time

for the planned June 1 start.

In a memo

to employees, Delta vice president for public affairs

Harold Bevis announced May 24 that buses would be

available beginning June 1, but Hoff said a planned

follow-up mailing didn't get out until late last week,

and may have arrived a bit late because of the Memorial

Day holiday.

Several

local merchants have agreed to act as ticket agents, said

Hoff, adding that he is currently offering businesses a

chance to advertise on his tickets for free.

Owners of

Kedron Village shopping center have given permission for

shuttle customers to park their cars there, said Hoff,

adding that he is hoping the Peachtree City Development

Authority will approve use of the Frederick Brown Jr.

Amphitheater as another park-and-ride site.

Plans are

to offer a package of 22 round trips to the airport for

$100, or single trips one-way for about $5, but Hoff said

he has cut prices for the introductory period.

"I'll

call my ticket agents today to see if anyone has bought

tickets for this week," Hoff said Tuesday, "and

if they have, then we'll continue to roll. But otherwise,

we'll wait until June 7 to get started."

Buses will

roll on a regular schedule beginning at 4:15 a.m. and

ending at 8 p.m., said Hoff. For schedule and price

information phone 678-364-1155, or check the Phoenix Star

Web page (www.phoenixstar1.bizonthe.net).

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