For over four years, Ed Sweeney has spent almost all day, everyday in a car headed to destinations around the region.
Sweeney Transportation Group LLC, which includes SweenEats and SweenFleetz, has served the greater Peterborough, Keene and Boston regions since April 2022.
On June 4, Sweeney Transportation was awarded the Community Transportation Champion Award by the NH Transit Association and the State Coordinating Council for Community Transportation for their P22 Initiative.
In partnership with the River Center in Peterborough, the P22 Initiative provides prepaid rides to people in need in the Peterborough region.
‘Vocation of service’
Sweeney started his food delivery service four years ago when he saw a need in the community. After the pandemic, he noticed it was harder for families to go to the grocery store without the threat of spreading or catching the virus.
And, with DoorDash becoming popular, he wanted to create a cheaper, local alternative for residents and small businesses in the Peterborough region.
“I look at it as a vocation of service,” Sweeney said.
After a year of success, Sweeney started offering transportation in the region in 2023. This includes local transportation in Southern New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as trips to Boston.
“Ed’s entrepreneurial spirit has led him to look for needs in the community with the best interests of his neighbors in mind,” Odette Butler, executive director of the River Center, wrote for the speech given at the event.
Now, his food delivery service has expanded to transportation, prescription delivery, and, more recently, a special transport unit for antiques, household items, valuables, precious metals, important documents, pets and more.
“We’re going to keep going, keep adding and see how it goes,” Sweeney said.
Currently, the business includes one full-time employee, Mike Stands, four transportation drivers and a few food delivery drivers, including his wife.
When Sweeney started the business, he was on call for pick-ups and drop-offs, but, more recently, while the drivers still work 24/7, he has launched an app and website for people to order online. The app is called SweenZapp and allows for food delivery and transportation orders, as well as donations to the P22 Initiative.
Sweeney credits his online success to Noah Sussman, who allowed for the diversity of options on the app.
“You wouldn’t see all this growth without Noah and Mike,” he said.
Transportation access
When Sweeney started his business, his price options were low, allowing for easy access to rides. As his transportation and delivery business grew, prices increased for insurance, gas and other necessities, requiring him to increase his prices accordingly.
“I felt bad we couldn’t help people,” he said.
In response, he started the P22 Initiative in Dec. 2025 to provide free prepaid rides to people in serious need.
The River Center in Peterborough screens applicants and provides one-time, emergency rides to locally surrounding areas, including Boston.
The River Center is a nonprofit organization that provides family and community support in the Eastern Monadnock Region.
“When Ed Sweeney saw a critical transportation need in the Monadnock Region, he didn’t just recognize the problem—he created a solution…His vision has transformed transportation from a barrier into a pathway to health, stability and opportunity,” Butler wrote.
Sweeney said the goal is to provide the last line of defense for people who need a ride when all other options are exhausted.
“If somebody needs transportation, they get it,” he said.
‘Grateful’
After winning the Community Transportation Champion award earlier this month, Sweeney said he feels one word: “grateful.”
“It says my name on it, but that’s an award for all of us,” he said.
After starting this business four years ago and expanding it each year, Sweeney often reflects on a saying his mentor used to share with him: “Business is about people, not money.”
Sweeney said he felt extremely humbled by the award and feels grateful for all the community support he continues to receive.
“I want to serve the people of this community and beyond,” he said.
In addition to his recent award, Sweeney’s business has been nominated for Best in Customer Service for Best of the 603.
To schedule a ride or delivery, download his app or visit his websites SweenEats.com and SweenFleetz.com. Donations are welcome on the app or the PP2 Initiative section of the River Center site.
