BLA Rides is a small, locally owned taxi/livery cab company serving the Brainerd Lakes Area. Dedicated to providing reliable, friendly, and affordable transportation, BLA Rides connects residents and visitors with safe, convenient rides across Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, and surrounding communities and brings passengers to and from the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport.

Focused on local service and community values, BLA Rides offers an easy, budget-friendly alternative to larger national rideshare platforms—without sacrificing comfort or professionalism. Whether it’s a quick trip to town, a ride to work, or safe transportation after a night out, BLA Rides ensures every passenger gets where they need to go comfortably, safely, and at the best value in the area.

Peter, founder of BLA Rides, is a former New York City school teacher and experienced professional driver who has spent years behind the wheel in some of America’s busiest cities — including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Madison, and the Twin Cities, where he drove for Blue and White Taxi in Minneapolis–St. Paul. With this extensive background in urban transportation, Peter brings a high level of skill, safety, and professionalism to every ride.

Now based in the Brainerd Lakes Area, Peter combines his experience and community spirit to provide locals and visitors with reliable, friendly, and affordable rides through BLA Rides — ensuring every passenger gets where they need to go comfortably and on time.

RIDESHARE AND CLIENT TRANSPORT

  • Lyft

  • Uber

  • Independent

Ford Edge

Fully licensed and insured commercially

Reliability

  • Proven Durability: The Edge has a strong track record for long-term dependability, with many owners reporting well over 150,000 miles of use with minimal issues.

  • Simple Maintenance: Parts are widely available and relatively affordable, and Ford’s widespread service network makes upkeep easy and inexpensive.

  • Strong Powertrain Options: The engines, especially the 2.0L EcoBoost and 3.5L V6, are known for balanced power and fuel efficiency, perfect for frequent driving.

Safety

  • Top Safety Ratings: The Ford Edge consistently earns high crash-test scores from the NHTSA and IIHS, with strong marks in both front and side impact protection.

  • Advanced Safety Features: Depending on the model year, the Edge includes modern driver-assist tech such as:

    • Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)

    • Lane-Keeping Assist

    • Adaptive Cruise Control

    • Automatic Emergency Braking

    • Rearview camera and parking sensors
      These features help reduce accidents and make both driver and passengers feel more secure.

Comfort

  • Spacious Interior: The Edge comfortably seats four adult passengers with ample legroom and headroom — a big plus for rideshare customers.

  • Smooth, Quiet Ride: The suspension is tuned for comfort, and cabin insulation keeps road noise low — ideal for a relaxed trip.

  • Cargo Space: With plenty of room for luggage or groceries, it’s versatile for airport runs, errands, or group outings.

Rideshare Drivers

  • Fuel Efficiency for Its Size: The Edge delivers competitive mileage for a midsize SUV — saving money on long driving days.

  • Professional Appearance: The modern design looks polished and trustworthy, helping create a good first impression for passengers.

  • All-Weather Capability: Available AWD makes it excellent for Minnesota winters, ensuring safe operation in snow and ice.

types of rides

Call (646)877-0010 or text for a ride

Available 24 hours

Pay by credit card or cash, PayPal breitholtzpeter@gmail.com, Venmo @BLARides, or Cash App $Peterbreitholtz6

Within the BLA

Call (646)877-0010 or text for a ride

Available 24 hours

Pay by credit card or cash, PayPal breitholtzpeter@gmail.com, Venmo @BLARides, or Cash App $Peterbreitholtz6

Outside the BLA

Call (646)877-0010 to make arrangements

Available 24 hours

Pay by credit card or cash, PayPal breitholtzpeter@gmail.com, Venmo @BLARides, or Cash App $Peterbreitholtz6

To and From Brainerd/ MSP Airport

Very friendly and paid attention to details

Laurie P.

EXCELLENT in all areas

Jamie K.

Clean friendly and a good driver

Lindsey B.