Transparent transportation pricing
Know how your fare is calculated before you book
Smart Ride Central Ohio uses a clear formula based on route mileage, service type, pickup time, applicable fees, and local sales tax. Your exact fare is displayed before you submit a reservation request.
Airport transportation
Airport fares combine the route mileage charge, the applicable airport fee, any pickup-time surcharge, and sales tax.
Mileage
$2.75 per route mileA $50 minimum mileage charge applies. For example, a short airport trip whose mileage calculation is less than $50 will use the $50 minimum.
Airport fee
$4.50 when applicableThe airport fee is included in the subtotal before tax. Any pickup-time surcharge is calculated from the mileage charge.
Other private transportation
The same booking system also prices point-to-point rides, events, hourly service, and independent-living transportation.
Point-to-point rides
$2.75 per mile- $50 minimum mileage charge
- Routes over 50 miles use a reduced $1.75-per-mile rate
- Applicable pickup-time surcharge and sales tax are added
Hourly and event service
$50 per hour- Two-hour minimum
- Time is rounded up to the next whole hour
- Applicable sales tax is added
Independent-living service
From $35- One hour: $35
- Two hours: $50
- Each additional hour: $50
- Time is rounded up to the next whole hour
Concerts and sporting events
Route fare + event fee- $15 event fee on the first/outbound leg
- $30 event fee on the last/return leg
- Route mileage, pickup-time surcharge, and tax also apply
Pickup-time surcharges
Early-morning and late-night pickups require additional scheduling coverage. The percentage below applies to the mileage charge.
| Pickup time | Surcharge |
|---|---|
| 6:45 a.m.–10:59 p.m. | None |
| 11:00 p.m.–11:59 p.m. | 10% |
| 12:00 a.m.–1:59 a.m. | 15% |
| 2:00 a.m.–3:59 a.m. | 20% |
| 4:00 a.m.–5:29 a.m. | 15% |
| 5:30 a.m.–6:44 a.m. | 10% |
Local sales tax
Sales tax is based on the applicable Central Ohio jurisdiction. The booking system includes it in the displayed total.
| County | Current rate used by the booking system |
|---|---|
| Franklin | 8.00% |
| Delaware | 7.00% |
| Licking | 7.25% |
| Fairfield | 6.75% |
| Madison | 7.00% |
| Pickaway | 7.25% |
| Union | 7.00% |
| Morrow | 7.25% |
Worked examples
These illustrations show the formula. Your actual total depends on the route, pickup time, service, and applicable tax rate entered when you book.
15-mile airport ride · daytime · 8% tax
$50 minimum mileage charge + $4.50 airport fee + $4.36 tax
$58.86 example total25-mile airport ride · daytime · 7% tax
$68.75 mileage + $4.50 airport fee + $5.13 tax
$78.38 example total20-mile airport ride · 4:30 a.m. · 8% tax
$55 mileage + $8.25 time surcharge + $4.50 airport fee + $5.42 tax
$73.17 example total60-mile point-to-point ride · daytime · 7% tax
$105 mileage at the reduced long-distance rate + $7.35 tax
$112.35 example totalPricing questions
Do extra stops have a separate flat fee?
No separate flat stop fee is added. Entered stops become part of the calculated route, so they may increase route mileage and the resulting fare.
Is gratuity included?
No. Gratuity is optional and is not included in the quoted fare.
Could my exact quote differ from these examples?
Yes. The booking system uses the route you enter, the service type, pickup time, applicable fees, and tax jurisdiction. The exact breakdown shown before you submit is the quote for your requested ride.
Will I see the total before I request the ride?
Yes. You can review the calculated fare before submitting your reservation request. A request is not confirmed until Smart Ride Central Ohio accepts it.
Pricing shown is current as of August 2026 and may change. The exact quote displayed by the Smart Ride Central Ohio booking system at the time of your request controls. Unusual itineraries or services requiring manual review will be discussed before confirmation.
Get your exact fare
Enter your itinerary, review the complete price, and then decide whether to request the ride.
Pricing Reviewed by the Owner Who Drives You
Smart Ride Central Ohio is personally owned and operated by Steve French. Steve reviews each transportation request, its schedule, route, passenger needs, luggage, and applicable fees before confirming the reservation—and he personally drives every confirmed ride.
This review helps ensure the quoted trip is workable with the existing schedule and that the requested transportation can be provided safely and reliably. If a request needs clarification or an adjustment, Steve contacts the customer directly before confirmation.