Despite efforts to create a designated driver bus service to and from local bars, H & H Transportation will not be providing the service.

Scott Harrison, owner of the company, said he will not be running a bus to bars because the Charleston Licensed Beverage Association turned down the offer.

“I was trying to get the bars to subsidize these kids and they won’t,” Harrison said. “The bar owners are just not participating and I’m pissed about it.”

Mike Knoop, chair of the bar owners’ association, said they did not take up Harrison’s offer of $50 per month for the bus service because not all of the establishments were interested.

Harrison’s proposal was for $1 per ride, or $3 all night, students could take the bus to and from the bars to which they want to go. The bus would run from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday to all bars, or whoever wanted the service.

The bars would then pay $50 per month, or Harrison said he would lower that price to $30 per month, to pay for the service.

Harrison has already purchased the bus for $30,000 plus $6,000 for insurance and said he had previously discussed the idea with Knoop before buying the bus.

“Ain’t nobody helping me in return,” Harrison said. “They’re not doing these kids justice.”

The idea, Harrison said, is a good one he does not want to let go of because it acts as both a safety and lucrative business measure.

“This is not a matter of who gets all the crowds, it’s a matter of keeping these kids safe,” he said. “Somebody’s not waking up and smelling the coffee.”

However, Knoop said he individually supports the idea of a bus service running to the bars, but he cannot impose a required payment to all bars for the service through the liquor association.

“I think it’s a great idea, and most everybody else thinks it’s a great idea,” he said. “It’s not like we don’t agree with what he’s doing.”

Instead, Knoop said, Harrison could go to each bar individually and create a bar route according to whether they will pay for the service.

Harrison does not agree with that process; however, saying he has done the leg work so far and it’s time for the bars to kick some in as well.

“I just think they should do more than what they’re doing,” he said. “Trying it is all I’m asking for, try something to make things better.

“If I’m going to have to do all their work for them too I’m just not going to do it. Help me help themselves.”

Harrison does have a back-up plan for the already purchased bus, however. He intends to provide rides for the near-by Amish community, but said he would rather go with the designated driver idea.

“It needs to be what I intended it for.”