>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Jeff Benecke is starting the Wallowa Valley-La Grande Shuttle, providing passenger and package delivery service three days a week, plus other transportation services on demand. (Photo/MICHELLE BLOKER).

- Bill Rautenstrauch

- The Observer

Traveling between Union and Wallowa counties? Maybe you don't have a car, or just don't feel like driving.

That's OK. Just leave the driving to Jeff.

Jeff Benecke, a 12-year Wallowa County resident, is set to start the Wallowa Valley-La Grande Shuttle, providing passenger and package delivery service three days a week, plus other transportation services on demand.

"I love to drive," said Benecke, 57. "I want to be on the road and provide this service. I think there's a need for it."

For at least three decades, Moffit Brothers Transportation provided shuttle service between Wallowa and Union counties. The company transported passengers and packages in a van that was affectionately known to locals as "the stage."

For many years, the stage ran six days a week, making stops in all the towns along state Highway 82 between Joseph and La Grande.

In 2003, Moffit cut the schedule back to five days, eliminating the Saturday run. In 2005, citing a lack of ridership, it discontinued the service altogether.

Benecke thinks the time is right to bring it back, with a three-day-a-week schedule. He plans to keep overhead down by doing all the driving himself.

"My thoughts are, if I can get enough customers, they'll save money and I'll make some," he said.

Before he moved to Wallowa County, Benecke was an English teacher who had lived and worked in Japan.

His first year as a Wallowa County resident, he worked one-on-one as a teacher with a handicapped student. After that, he became a case manager for the Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness.

He left that job last year, and began making plans for his shuttle service.

"I started to realize there's a need for transportation for people who don't have cars or don't want to use them," he said. "I've had encouragement from a lot of people, so I'm going to try and make it a go."

Now that he's fulfilled Oregon Department of Transportation licensing requirements, he's ready to put his 2006 Toyota van, which seats eight, into service. The inaugural run is set for next Monday.

Plans are for Monday, Wednesday and Friday runs. They will originate at Mt. Joseph Family Foods in Joseph at 8 a.m.

Stops along the route will include the Chevron station in Enterprise at 8:15, Crow's Store in Lostine at 8:30, the Chevron in Elgin at 9:15, and the Chevron in La Grande at 9:45.

The van will stay in La Grande three hours, departing the Chevron on Adams Avenue at 1:30 for the return trip.

Benecke said he will offer morning connections to the La Grande Greyhound bus terminal, located at the Flying J truck stop.

He also said he is eyeing the multi-modal transportation hub planned by Community Connection as a La Grande terminus. Greyhound expects to take up quarters there as well.

"I have talked with (Community Connection Manager ) Frank Thomas, and he seems very interested in the shuttle," Benecke said.

Benecke said he hopes to stay busy all the time, offering limousine and taxi service on off days. He said his van is for hire for short and long runs.

"I expect most of it will be in-county, but I'll go all the way to Ontario if there's a call for it," he said.

For now, he is self-employed and employs only himself. If demand for his services go up, he said he can adjust.

"If I get too busy, I have a few friends who are interested in helping out," he said.

To confirm seating availability or for more information, call 541-398-1563.