“Lucky” Mohotti discovered a growing need for public transportation among his clients shortly after opening a business in Pahrump in September 2014.
A Sri-Lankan native, Mohotti owns Low-Low Liquor & Mini-Mart, located at 1021 E. Gamebird Road. For the past year, he has been doing a mobile survey among his customers trying to find out whether they would be interested in bus services. Those surveyed showed a strong support for public transportation from Pahrump to Las Vegas, Mohotti said.
“And nine out of 10 said it was a great idea,” he said.
The overwhelming response made Mohotti think about opening a private shuttle bus service that would leave every two to three hours from Pahrump to Las Vegas.
“Mainly, I’m concerned about the people who go to work in Vegas and who have doctor’s appointments and who can’t drive or they can’t afford to drive or they don’t have a car. And also people who are leaving from the airport.”
“What I’m thinking (is) to take them to the strip and find the space over there, I didn’t plan it yet, where I’m going to stop. It’s strip to Pahrump, Pahrump to the strip, that’s it.”
With rates and drop-off and pick-up locations still in the works, Mohotti said the service will be funded by the proceeds from Low-Low Liquor & Mini-Mart.
“It’s a community service and plus, it’s an income as well,” he said.
Recently, Mohotti filled out an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) number at the Nevada Transportation Authority. The organization also showed support for his idea, he said.
Currently, Integrity Taxi has a 12-passenger van that goes from Pahrump to Las Vegas at 7 a.m. and leaves Las Vegas at 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The company has been in business for almost two years.
Jennifer Stauffer, office manager at Integrity Taxi said the business turned a corner this year and is doing “much better.”
“Some days, it’s almost full, some days, it doesn’t go because we don’t have reservations,” she said about the van.
Mohotti however said his service will be more frequent as it would cater to those working various shifts throughout the day and night. As of right now, he said his bus would run from 4 a.m. until midnight.
Initially, he plans to lease a few buses and hire two to three drivers, but then he said he may expand the operation based on demand.
“If it’s going well, I’m going to lease a couple more buses, and I’m going to increase the times of the service,” he said.
Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77