PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Smart Ride may be too young to have survived the infamous ice storm of 1994; however, it has endured many other challenges in the last 30 years. The company will celebrate its anniversary and give thanks to the community for 30 years of support on Saturday, August 15th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hallowing Point Park Pavilion.
The owner, Cynthia Thorne-Carter says Smart Ride is not only celebrating a milestone anniversary, but also the resilience that carried this family owned business through, a recession, a pandemic, multiple gas hikes, and even an earthquake.
The event on Saturday is open to the public and will include a ribbon cutting by the Chamber of Commerce, games, food, and camaraderie. A scholarship fund in memory of the staff members who have passed away will be started on Saturday. The scholarship will be presented to a student who resides in Calvert County in June 2027. In addition, Smart Ride will be offering anniversary specials throughout the year.
In an area where transportation can sometimes be scarce, Smart Ride has grown into a trusted transportation provider with a reputation for going the extra mile and timeliness. Today, the company operates a fleet of seven vehicles including two 15-passenger shuttle vans, a wheelchair accessible van, two SUV’s, a minivan and a sedan.
Whether clients need transportation for medical appointments, work commutes, airport transfers, weddings, corporate or private shuttles, special events or long-distance travel, Smart Ride has been committed to getting them safely to their destinations. Over the past 30 years, the company has transported passengers throughout Maryland, as far north as New York and Virginia to the south.
Through economic recessions, technology changes and other challenges, Smart Ride has remained committed to one thing: personalized service. According to Thorne-Carter, “our customers are our motivation. There are those who use us because they need us, and then there are those who use us because they appreciate the convenience we offer. No matter the reason, we believe everyone should be treated with the best customer service and a little southern hospitality.”
Smart Ride shows its appreciation to the community by delivering food for a food pantry, participating in the Safe Nights Program for the unhoused community, offering transportation for some youth groups and free rides to the polls.