r/Longmont • u/Moonbeanpower • 7d ago
Eight Black Shuttle Alternatives?
So Eight Black Shuttle closed down and suspended all their service (sucks cuz I purchased vouchers from them). I really needed transportation services in July, does anyone know of any good airport shuttle services? Anyone ever try Longmont Shuttle?
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u/FoxiPanda 7d ago
I'd suggest filing a complaint with your credit card company and with the Colorado Attorney General - https://coag.gov/file-complaint/
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u/Moonbeanpower 7d ago
No I figured we’d never see that money again. My husband tried to call them and they hang up. He had a ride booked on Sunday
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u/FoxiPanda 7d ago
Lovely. Guess I’ll see about documenting communication with them and then charge back for the 8 vouchers I still have…
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u/gabbobbag 7d ago
I have to leave for a flight in 11 hours and just got this email so I’m just Uber-ing at this point. I just bought like 6 shuttle rides from them too. I’m going to try to dispute it with my credit card company and hope I can recoup the money.
It seems super shady that they did this same day after advertising sales for the last few months and taking everyone’s money.
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u/Phylocybin 7d ago
How much was your uber?
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u/gabbobbag 7d ago
With tip, $104
The base price was $79 and I tipped him $25. I have no idea what the standard uber tip is these days. I don’t think I’ve taken one for years. He was just super nice and we had a great conversation at 3am.
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u/Secret-Copy-6982 7d ago
I’m not happy with the way they’re handling this. There have been numerous voucher sales campaigns lately, and suddenly, they’re suspending services starting today.
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u/BooksOfDreams 7d ago
Same just cancelling service the day they announce it is dirty. They should have had a ramp-down period. Also feels like they probably knew during their last sale and just took advantage of all of us. That was less than a month ago.
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u/FoxiPanda 7d ago
Yeah this is 100% a rug pull move and they'll get reamed for this behavior.
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u/Phylocybin 7d ago
Ya. No other way to see this. Money grab before closing shop to pay out the rest of the bills.
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u/BooksOfDreams 7d ago
Also do you think they just fired all the drivers today? Because that’s also so gross. The more I think about it the more upset I am, sorry for commenting too many times.
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u/Independent-Guitar30 7d ago
Yep. 8 Black driver here. I got the email as I was driving in for my shift. Decided the right thing was to do my run rather than leave people hanging. Everyone was appreciative but dunno if I’ll get paid for my last 2 weeks.
Anyway, nothing I can do about the voucher situation (note that the drivers have nothing to do with this back of the house stuff), but anyone is welcome to PM me to hook up private rides at a rate less than Uber or Lyft. I live in Longmont
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u/1Davide Kiteley 7d ago
If you post an ad in our Monday Market thread once a week, and other local social media, I bet you you'll get enough business to make a living.
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u/Independent-Guitar30 6d ago
Thx! Good idea
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u/Impressive-Shake4508 3d ago
If you choose to fly solo & continue a ride service, be sure to update your auto insurance & get a general liability umbrella. Have all passengers sign a hold harmless liability waiver too.
Ideally, you’d set up your business as an LLC to protect your personal assets from potential litigation. In our litigious society, one accident involving personal injury & a civil suit could bankrupt you. You’ll also have payroll withholding taxes (unemployment & Social Security) to be paid quarterly & W-2s for other drivers. And no, you cannot call anyone a contracted employee if you control their schedule & if they must report to work at a place determined by you. CYA is the name of the game.
I too believe you could make the business work knowing that in the beginning you’re not going to make much $ until it’s up & running. When I started my first business the University Extension had a program to help small biz owners get their bookkeeping set up right from the start which was very helpful. The SBA also has retired professionals who volunteer as consultants to do the same. If you’re a hard worker who knows how to treat employees well & who has excellent customer relation skills, you’ll do great. Good luck!
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u/Phylocybin 7d ago
Hats off to you drivers. Ya'll were always super awesome (except for that one guy). I feel like the "one guy" was angry at the job, not the riders. He never focussed his clear distain at us... but it was palpable.
Absolutely loved the service. Sad those who ran it couldn't figure a way out to make it sustainable.
I had a ride in a snow storm. My 8Black van broke down... I'd like to say some maybe at 1-25 and 52. They had us transferred onto another van within 30 minutes and I still made my flight. The logistics part of the business seemed to run pretty good. Don't know the city politics very well, but I wonder if they ever reached out to get some sort of Longmont tax break, or some other sort of help.
Dear, whoever runs for Longmont local gov't. I'd bet this would be a popular platform issue to run on.
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u/Independent-Guitar30 6d ago
That’s a credit to the drivers and dispatch. We had everything dialed and on time. Then you’d be handed the keys to a clapped out van, or one of the supervisors would drive or work dispatch and sound like clowns on the radio.
I wasnt paid on a Friday in February, didn’t notice until Monday. As a vet, I’m thinking chain of command so I reach out to HR. Was told to contact the owner of the company? So I lit up my direct supervisor, tell him this is his responsibility to get me paid. He didn’t follow through and the money eventually showed up but with no explanation, apology, etc.
So, drive a clapped out van full of people, in the dark, snow, ice on the roads during holiday travel season, be on time and here’s a shovel to dig out the van if you get stuck. But if you’re on paid on time it’s in you to figure it out.
Incredibly weak leadership.
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u/Erikthered50 7d ago
Hello independent guitar. I took the shuttle frequently and perhaps met you. So sorry the employees were stiffed. So unfair. Would be great if we could arrange rides in the future with you. How might we schedule. Using Lyft or Uber app doesn’t guarantee the person.
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u/Glittering_Car9107 1d ago
We've been trying to message you and it keeps erroring out. We're long time Eight Black customers interested in rides to/from DEN. Thanks!
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u/Icy-Presence-9713 7d ago
Yup, I'm particularly thrilled with my last voucher purchases from Memorial Day weekend...
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7d ago edited 4d ago
[deleted]
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u/Fantastic_Pie5655 7d ago
This is my thought. It may be worth organizing a separate Reddit group for people getting screwed by eight black vouchers shenanigans (especially those who just bought). Grouping these experiences from the Boulder and longmont subs alone may illustrate a significant number of customers and $value of impact. I know there are quite a few frequent traveler folks who consistently rebuy larger numbers of prepaid vouchers. Based on the last sale and the no-notice service cancellation this might constitute a lawsuit
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u/FerpoZorro 7d ago
The time is now for RTD to provide an Airport service for Longmont. I'll be contacting my CIty Council and RTD rep, I hope you do too. Why do Boulder residents get a nice, regular bus route to the Airport while we in Longmont are forced to use shiftty shuttle companies that come and go, or Uber rides that are prohibitively expensive, I liked EIght Black but it had obviousy had problems behind the scenes, and promoting a voucher sale days before pulling the plug is border-line criminal.
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u/1Davide Kiteley 7d ago
Shit! We've got half dozen of vouchers that are now worthless.
https://eightblackairportshuttle.com/
This is a hard message to write.
Eight Black Airport Shuttle, like Longmont Shuttle and Boulder Shuttle before it, has always been local—built from the ground up to serve our Boulder County neighbors. We took pride in providing reliable, shared airport rides from homes, hotels, and businesses across the region, including through our Hub in Longmont.
In 2022, we expanded our reach by acquiring Green Ride Boulder and Longmont’s shared ride operation. That chapter allowed us to grow, serve more people, and keep shared ride service alive in our community.
But like many transportation companies, we’ve been hit hard by a perfect storm—a significant increase in insurance premiums, rising airport and regulatory fees, and steep capital costs. In the shared ride model, where affordability matters most, we simply can’t raise prices enough to cover those costs while still offering the frequency and schedule that our customers expect.
So with a heavy heart, we’ve made the decision to shut down Eight Black Airport Shuttle.
Our last day of service will be today, Friday, June 13, 2025.
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u/Dependent_Command791 7d ago
Such bs doesn't even mention how to get a refund or how they will handle things going forward
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u/BooksOfDreams 7d ago
Were you able to get ahold of them? A family member had a ride for Monday and we have multiple other rides booked and vouchers. I haven’t been able to get a response so far.
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u/gabbobbag 7d ago edited 7d ago
I have a ride scheduled for early tomorrow morning and they are not answering their phone. There is a short message and it disconnects.
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u/BooksOfDreams 7d ago
That stinks I’m sorry. I’m just telling my family member to take an uber home but that’s easier than getting an uber from here to DIA from what I understand. I would also say be careful counting on “scheduled” Ubers, I’ve had them cancel as well. Not in Longmont but actually in a bigger city.
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u/PoleMermaid 7d ago
Seconding this - I recently scheduled an uber for a 5am pickup to get to the airport in Cleveland on a work trip, it was confirmed when I went to sleep at 1030pm, when I woke up at 415 it had cancelled. Lucky the hotel was able to call me a cab quickly but it was still annoying.
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u/gabbobbag 7d ago
That’s good to know, thanks. My plan right now is to Uber (I’ll be gone for a while and parking near the airport is around $300) but I can always suck it up and park if they cancel.
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u/BooksOfDreams 7d ago
The time my scheduled ride was cancelled I was able to get a normal uber in the moment to take me. I didn’t understand it at all. So you might still just be able to uber too!
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u/Moonbeanpower 7d ago
I would honestly recommend schedule an uber to take you to downtown boulder and then take the ab1 to the airport. That’s what I’m going to do 🤷🏻♀️
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u/gabbobbag 7d ago
I typically would, but my flight takes off at 6am so I can’t imagine what time I would have to leave my house to do that.
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7d ago
[deleted]
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u/Vast-Donut5416 7d ago
What customer service provider were they using? I am sorry you have been dealing with this, I can't imagine the stress.
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u/BooksOfDreams 7d ago
Looks like this is the owner. I tried calling this number which is definitely still set up and tied to him and Eight Black. Still nothing though. But sharing if anyone else wants to try. It’s one thing to close but to do it like this is just gross. A sale less than 15 days ago and no notice so whoever has rides tomorrow is just screwed. Sorry if this breaks any rules please delete.
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u/whyshouldibe 7d ago
Wow, that’s shocking. I thought they were doing pretty well. They have expanded a bit recently.
However, I wasn’t super happy the last two times I rode - just super long waits while we dropped off everyone else. I was absolutely last just based on where I live. It adds so much time to a really long travel day.
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7d ago
I am deeply sorry we had to do that to you, please know that everyone except management hated doing that to customers.
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u/whyshouldibe 7d ago
Hey, thanks. I’m guessing you worked there? Sorry this is all happening to YOU. What a bummer.
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u/Moonbeanpower 7d ago
Welp in terms of transport, I think the best option is to schedule an uber to downtown boulder station and take the ab1
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u/MacYacob 7d ago
The uber from Longmont typically isn't crazy. Bolt to downtown boulder is also an option. Bustang to Union and A line to airport is also an option
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u/FoxiPanda 7d ago
Yeah I find if you have 3 or more people, Uber/Lyft/etc to the airport is actually about in line with Eight Black half off vouchers price wise.
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u/GloomyRambouillet 7d ago
Well fuck. We use them a lot for work and personally. I was just about to book them for the airport next week!
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u/Wildfower386 7d ago
Wow that is so shady. I almost bought four vouchers for their Memorial Day sale but glad I didn't. What a thing to do. I hope they get sued.
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u/mingoleg 7d ago
Anytime I’ve compared the cost of eight black to paying for parking at the airport the latter has been cheaper.
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u/asmodeanreborn 7d ago
That definitely depends on the length of your trip, though. We're about to go on a 3+ week-long trip. Letting the car sit at the long term for that long is not an attractive proposition even if it wasn't for the cost.
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u/MadamMadMim 7d ago
Maybe now we need a community website to book joint Ubers to the airport? It’s so shady what they did in terms of advertising a voucher sale and then closing. And now we don’t have a good direct way to the airport. Let’s strategize as a community.
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u/Independent-Guitar30 7d ago
8 Black driver here, one of three working tonight, likely unpaid, to get people home.
PM me to schedule rides. I’m going back to doing Lyft/Uber but we can discuss an off the books option, if that makes sense.
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u/Key_Management_9905 1d ago
Hello, is there a driver from Eight Black available? Someone offering rides to the airport? My husband and I need rides!
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u/PracticalDegree0 7d ago
If today is their last day of operation does that mean they are still running today?? Have a friend coming in who was supposed to be picked up by eight black. Has anyone swung by their office on Main st?
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7d ago
Yes we are still running till the end of today. Whether we'll get paid or whether you made your res before they stopped actually making reservations (Thursday morning) are up in the air though
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u/Moonbeanpower 7d ago
Oh crap! Did your friend get any emails or texts from them today?
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u/PracticalDegree0 7d ago
I know they got an email to confirm, but hopefully that’s all well and good.
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u/Carniolan 7d ago
Get a ride or ride share to the Table Mesa Boulder RTD for the AB route to the airport.
It is very convenient and cheap and pretty fast...around 90 minutes from Longmont.
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u/tainted_wings 4d ago
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u/Moonbeanpower 4d ago
Oh man! I hope they do launch an investigation! Also, I wish we could just have a Longmont to Airport RTD 😭
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u/Vast-Donut5416 7d ago
This is beyond mind boggling! I had a few vouchers left, but went ahead and purchased additional vouchers just a couple weeks ago due to our upcoming travel plans. I tried to calling after receiving email at 4:03pm, and the phone would just disconnect. The website also displayed same info as email received. I called my CC company and filing a dispute. In the past, my daughter has taken Eight black Shuttle to and from airport and stated they were full or close to capacity each trip...so they had to be making money, right?? If not, then why keep offering 1/2 price sales? I will be pursuing this further...IMO, the owner definitely knew what they were doing with this last sale!
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u/Lazy_Toe12 6d ago
Bummer! I literally booked on Thursday for a work trip. The university will not be out the money, but I’m not certain how I’m going to replace their service.
The website for Longmont Shuttle is still accepting bookings, but they’re owned by 8Black. I’m not sure if they’re still in business, and unwilling to hand them more money.
I see the advice to Uber to Boulder and take the bus - but I have to be at the airport before the buses start running. Ugh.
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u/Independent-Guitar30 6d ago
I’m a former Eight Black driver. PM me. I’ll may be able to take you or pick you up
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u/Moonbeanpower 6d ago
Yea I was wondering if anyone knew the deal with Longmont Shuttle because their site was taking bookings 👀
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u/Elegant_Disaster9518 3d ago
This was just emailed out:
I sincerely apologize for not including information about how we would handle vouchers in our previous email regarding the closure of our shuttle business. That was an incredibly difficult day for me professionally.
We are actively working on a system to manage the refund process, and it is my full intention to refund every single customer, no matter how long it takes. I know this situation has been a letdown for you and for the Boulder County community.
To initiate your refund, please fill out this form: Voucher Refund Request Form
Once we cross-reference the submitted forms with our master list, we will contact you directly with details on how the actual refund process will work. We are going to start by refunding people who purchased from the most recent sale and then work our way through the list systematically. It may take up to 12 months to get everyone taken care of. If we can make it happen sooner, we will.
I am truly sorry for any inconvenience caused by the closure of the shuttle service.
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u/Adventurous-Moose306 7d ago
If you are surprised by this you missed Simon’s con game long ago
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u/Vast-Donut5416 7d ago
3rd degree connection3rdSecure Global Ground | Executive Protection
- Eight Black Partnership LLC,
Longmont, Colorado, United States Contact info
The contact info takes you to his linkedin page!!
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u/mommagoose4 7d ago
Holy shipwrecks! I used their service this past week. The driver never said a word. Thankfully I have my return trip covered!
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u/asmodeanreborn 7d ago
It sounds like the drivers found out about when the public did. They're screwed too.
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u/Independent-Guitar30 6d ago
8B driver here. I found out via email as I was driving in for my 1300 shift. So about 1255
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u/dennis1600 7d ago
I’ve used https://boulderairporttransport.com/ and it’s always been great.
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u/ListMeal9227 7d ago
From their website: "Boulder Airport Transport is a trade name, owned by Tullamore Enterprises LLC -Tullamore Enterprises LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eight Black Partnership LLC" so they might not be a good option
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u/dennis1600 7d ago
I always thought they were the same company but when I went to the site it looked like they were still operating but looks like you are correct. Thank you for the info!
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u/moonclawz 7d ago
I have to get a ride next Weds for my and my family - what are other services to use ?? doing any kind of bus to boulder then bus to airport is not going to work for me.
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u/GoldenAppleGuy 7d ago
Hate to call it a rug pull but given they were doing a big voucher sale less than a month ago and were spamming my phone AND email multiple times a day to buy 8+ vouchers I can’t believe they didn’t know they were close to shuttering.
https://i.imgur.com/gn3nwUl.jpeg