We used to use a shuttle service (I think it was North Shore Shuttle) for those rare times it…read morewasn't convenient to pick up family at the airport ourselves. Then, post 2008 recession, we had moved further away from BOS/Logan Airport and the shuttles became less reliable (driver shortages?), so my husband found Malden Car Service and started using them when he traveled for work. If I needed a personal ride, I used Lyft or took a taxi.
Due to the pandemic and family health concerns, in 2021, after our first flights in over a year, we needed airport transportation so we could isolate until after a home rapid test, a few days post-travel. Because of a household members very high risk (even though vaccinated) from COVID-19 infection, we didn't feel comfortable with an un-vetted, potentially unvaccinated ride share driver picking us up, even if that driver wore a mask. I tried Malden Car Service Inc. (The address on my invoice is different than the one for this Yelp listing, the URL for the company is the same one.)
We were very satisfied with the quick turnaround time booking the first ride (next day or maybe it was even the morning of the same day.) The driver, Charlie, who met us was great. He volunteered his vaccinated status but still proactively offered to wear a mask for our protection. We really appreciated that!
We would have paid extra for an inside meet & greet due to a disability in our traveling party, but that service was NOT available on such short notice. (A second employee would have to ride with the driver for that service.) Getting a wheelchair escort from the airport was possible all the way to the limo pickup zone in the garage at Logan terminal B, however, so that was okay because another family member managed the luggage.
The car itself was nice, seemed new-ish, and very clean. (I'm not a car person, so I don't know how new, but, for perspective, I would not hesitate to host any business contact in such a vehicle.) I think there were bottled waters waiting for us in the car if we wanted them. The driver wore a traditional suit and was well-groomed and professional in appearance.
I enjoyed a friendly chat with the driver, but that was at my own instigation. I felt he would have been quiet if I'd been reserved.
A week later, we requested Charlie again for the next flight.
If the pandemic has taught me anything, it is the value of treating trained professionals as the essential components of our functioning economy that they are! I won't try to save a few dollars using ride shares in the future; I will continue to book airport trips with Malden Car Service. I created an account for our small business with them after the first very successful ride.
In the interest of full disclosure, booking a car service does cost about twice as much as my average Lyft ride to my suburban town. Then again, that difference is about the cost of one pizza order for my family, so WORTH IT.
I appreciated:
* quick response with quote to online booking
* accurate price quote given via online booking (including itemized fees/tolls)
* gratuity included in price quote given (and clearly indicated as such)
* quality of the vehicle
* quality of the service given by the driver
I haven't had further dealings with the office to comment on that aspect of their customer service experience, but that's because their booking system worked as it should. For me, that's also selling point in the company's favor.
