Need a Ride? Come Swoop with Terrell Johnson

Terrell Johnson, Owner of Swoop Transportation Photo Credit: Terrell Johnson

When most people think of ride-share services, Uber and Lyft are typically the most common companies associated with daily transportation needs. As a black male-owned business, Terrell Johnson’s Swoop Transportation provides a similar experience to anyone in St. Louis interested in a ride to and from a specific location. Since its launch in September 2018, Swoop has slowly become a local go-to resource in place of its competitors and other riding options. Read more below to learn how Terrell executed Swoop into a profitable rideshare service and its impact throughout St. Louis.

With Uber and Lyft already being popular resources available worldwide, why did you feel there was a need for Swoop to be included in that market, especially in St. Louis?

There is a need for Swoop in this market for several reasons. Swoop is more affordable, more driver-friendly, and provides a more enjoyable experience for the passenger. Swoop offers competitive pricing that is lower than that of both Uber and Lyft. We value the needs of our passengers and understand they have a destination to reach. But our value doesn’t stop there, as we offer our drivers a much higher percentage per ride than our competitors —happy driver=better experience. Finally, we allow our passengers to fully customize their experience —from music to ambiance to the conversation, passengers have full control of their Swoop experience. Moreover, Swoop is a proud black-owned company that provides a modern approach to the ride-share market.

Once you realized Swoop was something you wanted to start, what steps did you take in breathing your vision to life?

First, I did my research. I wanted to make sure I had all my bases covered from a legal standpoint before I entered the ridesharing market. After that, I came up with a name, filed my LLC, and was off to the races. I’ve been extremely hands-on with the branding and online presence of Swoop. To this day, almost all our traffic has come from people discovering Swoop via social networks, such as Facebook and Instagram, and recommendations. Prior to Swoop, I was extremely active on social media. I always talked about different topics and subjects. I made sure I capitalized on this and focused all my attention and energy into promoting my new company, especially in the early stages. It has been quite the journey, but here we are today.

When did Swoop launch and how well has it been received since it launched?

September 15, 2018, is Swoop’s birthday. Since the launch, Swoop has been welcomed into an abundance of accepting hands. We’ve received tremendous support from the city of Saint Louis—from doctors to lawyers, your favorite artists, local businesses, and everyone in between. We’ve even been welcomed by surrounding cities that we haven’t expanded to yet, but don’t worry that expansion is coming soon.

Why did you decide on the name Swoop?

Swoop is a modern term synonymous with “pick me up.” When someone says, “come swoop,” that means, “Hey, come pick me up!” Because of the contemporary feel that I wanted my company to have, the name Swoop seemed like a perfect fit. It is symbolic of both the service and the vibe. Every so often, I think we all have an aha moment, deciding on the name Swoop was definitely one of those.

What sets Swoop apart from its competitors?

Swoop is very different from our competitors. Fundamentally, we serve as more than a ride-sharing service. We are also a transportation company that delivers. We’ve had clients have us deliver medical supplies, beauty, and cosmetic products, wedding cakes, from anything you can think of and food to the public on certain occasions. Additionally, Swoop offers services that our competitors do not. If you are drunk but don’t want to leave your car, Swoop will pull up to drive you and your car safely home. With Swoop, you can book a designated driver or personal chauffeur that specifically caters to you for the entire night. If your tire blows out and you’re in need of roadside assistance, Swoop will change your tire for you. Even if you run out of gas, Swoop will fill your tank up and get you back moving on the road.

When passengers need a Swoop, should they book a ride by calling you or is there also an app for it?

Passengers may book a ride by calling or texting. It is very important to plan out rides with us as early as possible, so that way we can guarantee your trip. Due to the rapid growth of Swoop and the high volume of calls, you want to book yours first.

How much can customers expect to spend when they call a Swoop?

Customers can expect to pay a reasonable price. We are cheaper than our competitors and plan to keep it that way. We choose to give back and help the community financially in hopes to gain stability.

What safety measures does Swoop have in place for drivers and passengers?

Seatbelts are required. For passengers, they can register a backup contact who can receive notifications of their trips, on top of a dispatcher who monitors the ride as well. We’ve also teamed up with our friends at Kings Security, who may also tag along when we need them. Drivers may pair up and ride together. This is a popular technique usually used at night-time and is more common with our female drivers.

What can passengers expect to see from Swoop in 2020 and beyond?

Passengers can expect to see a whole new rideshare experience that is professional, organized, high-quality, and fun.

St. Louis residents can schedule a ride by calling 636-697-3403. Follow Swoop Transportation on these social media sites—SWOOP Transportation and Swoop Services.