Download & Print
November 1, 2021
Ray’s Rides is ready to pick you up
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
It goes without saying that living in the Hill Country has far more benefits than living in the city, and anyone who lives in Bandera County could make a laundry list of reasons why. Few amenities the city has to offer compare, and what Bandera lacks in streamlined convenience, it makes up for with a bit of creativity, and a lot of heart.
Ray’s Rides provides local transportation in and around town, as well as to the San Antonio airport. Started in January of 2015 by Marshall “Ray” Ferrar, the one-man, one-vehicle operation serves as community chauffeur, local cabbie, emergency transport and designated driver.
Coachman Cecil Freeman took the wheel of Ray’s Rides in 2020, after Ferrar, who celebrated his 77th birthday on Sept. 28 this year, moved into a nursing home. Cecil is available 24/7 by appointment; for a spontaneous night on the town; and medical, middle-of-the-night emergencies.
“I’ll get out of bed to pick someone up from the hospital and take them home,” Cecil said.
Prepping for one of his busiest seasons, Cecil is gearing up for Hunters’ Weekend, when visitors, hunters and tourists lodge at area hotels and dude ranches. Sometimes people want to leave their cars parked to freely explore downtown Bandera; and sometimes they want to be carted from bar to bar, then bar to home.
“They’re being smart,” Cecil said. “The first question everybody always asks me is, ‘will you be here to take me home?’ If I have people out, I stay out until I get them home. If it’s three-o-clock in the morning, I don’t care what they’re doing, I’ll stay until they get home. Always.”
Cecil said his van can haul six passengers, but the front seat is reserved for his dog, who always travels with him, which leaves five open seats for anyone needing a ride. Reservations for transport, and requests for immediate service may be made by calling his cell: 210-326-6296.
“When the phone rings, you go and take care of people as you’re needed,” Cecil said.
Ray’s Rides provides local transportation in and around town, as well as to the San Antonio airport. Started in January of 2015 by Marshall “Ray” Ferrar, the one-man, one-vehicle operation serves as community chauffeur, local cabbie, emergency transport and designated driver.
Coachman Cecil Freeman took the wheel of Ray’s Rides in 2020, after Ferrar, who celebrated his 77th birthday on Sept. 28 this year, moved into a nursing home. Cecil is available 24/7 by appointment; for a spontaneous night on the town; and medical, middle-of-the-night emergencies.
“I’ll get out of bed to pick someone up from the hospital and take them home,” Cecil said.
Prepping for one of his busiest seasons, Cecil is gearing up for Hunters’ Weekend, when visitors, hunters and tourists lodge at area hotels and dude ranches. Sometimes people want to leave their cars parked to freely explore downtown Bandera; and sometimes they want to be carted from bar to bar, then bar to home.
“They’re being smart,” Cecil said. “The first question everybody always asks me is, ‘will you be here to take me home?’ If I have people out, I stay out until I get them home. If it’s three-o-clock in the morning, I don’t care what they’re doing, I’ll stay until they get home. Always.”
Cecil said his van can haul six passengers, but the front seat is reserved for his dog, who always travels with him, which leaves five open seats for anyone needing a ride. Reservations for transport, and requests for immediate service may be made by calling his cell: 210-326-6296.
“When the phone rings, you go and take care of people as you’re needed,” Cecil said.