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Some highlights of the 2015 Ground Transportation Study: Rental cars (36 percent) and taxis (24 percent) are the most commonly used methods of ground transportation for business trips followed by chauffeured transportation (13 percent) and ride-sharing companies (11 percent). While safety of travelers was paramount, awareness of specific aspects of duty of care is not universal. Only about one-third of business travelers are at least somewhat familiar with all aspects such as pre-employment driver certification, driver training requirements, and regulations affecting each ground transportation method. Travel buyers are more familiar with most of the duty of care aspects than business travelers, but less than a quarter are very familiar with all of them showing education is necessary to inform them of the differences between ground transportation methods.
"Our research shows one in four (24 percent) travel buyers say their company does not allow their business travelers to use ride-sharing companies, by far the highest percentage for any form of ground transportation," said GBTA Executive Director and COO Michael McCormick. "In addition, a large number of companies still have not adopted policies around ride-sharing companies, revealing a need for education about the benefits and the risks. GBTA hopes this study is the start to closing that knowledge gap and we welcome an open and constructive dialogue on this topic."
The study, sponsored by Dav El/BostonCoach Chauffeured Transportation Network and EmpireCLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services, also identified the most important factors business travelers and travel buyers consider when choosing ground transportation. Topping the list was traveler and vehicle safety, availability for a timely pick-up and convenience of payments methods with three-quarters of business travelers and eight in ten travel buyers calling these factors highly important.
"Undoubtedly, there is significant market controversy around ride sharing and we felt it was important to have impartial research to create awareness in the industry," said David Seelinger, chairman and CEO of EmpireCLS.
"In customer dealings, we find that duty of care is such a critical issue that we needed research that will help us better understand the impact of ride sharing on buyers and their corporations," said Scott Solombrino, president and CEO of Dav El/BostonCoach.
Don’t miss the September issue of Chauffeur Driven, where you’ll find an in-depth interview with Seelinger and Solombrino expounding upon the topics they addressed at their GBTA panel, such as TNCs and the future of the ground transportation industry.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
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Much of the conversation focused on the sharing economy, competition, and technology: The future of not only airline competition but also travel distribution’s landscape, the choice to either disrupt or be disrupted, technology’s effect on the customer experience, customers’ desire for their booking experience to mirror the ease of their online consumer experience, and the rise of services like Airbnb and TNCs were among the timely topics explored across the conference’s five days.
As one of the largest gatherings of travel professionals in the world, the conference both draws from and delivers a wide swath of content to a membership base that spans six continents. The annual event brings together professionals from all walks of the travel industry for an event that offers panels, guest speakers, educational programs, and an expansive expo floor.
The 2015 conference heard from a number of speakers beyond the scope of the industry: actor Kevin Bacon, who discussed his Six Degrees Foundation that puts grassroots charities in touch with celebrities; Apple co-founder and philanthropist Steve Wozniak was interviewed by Fortune’s Nina Easton and spoke about technology’s impact on travel; and Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly spoke to GBTA’s Executive Director and COO Michael McCormick in a Q&A about her personal and professional life.
On Tuesday, July 28, McCormick led the four-person panel “Ground Transportation in a Sharing Economy.” He was joined by GBTA Allied Leadership Council President Scott Solombrino of Dav El/BostonCoach, David Seelinger of EmpireCLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services, and John Rose of iJET International. During the panel, new data was presented that showed how many companies have yet to implement a policy regarding employees’ use of TNCs for business-related transportation. The panelists agreed that while there are some impressive new technologies on the market, travel buyers need to ensure that such services will deliver a high Duty of Care standard. They also called for a level playing field to allow for a fair, competitive marketplace. A video of the half-hour panel can be seen at here.
Don’t miss the September issue of Chauffeur Driven, where you’ll find an in-depth interview with Seelinger and Solombrino expounding upon the topics they addressed at their GBTA panel, such as TNCs and the future of the ground transportation industry.
The 2016 GBTA Convention is scheduled for July 16-20 in Denver, Colo.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
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The NLA and Commerce-as-a-Service company Deem forged the strategic technology and marketing alliance for the purpose of developing and deploying a cloud network and mobile application that will: optimize operations and maximize fleet utilization for chauffeured transportation operators; provide advance reservations and ride-hailing services for corporations and customers alike; and substantially enhance data security and customer care, safety and privacy. Additionally, the co-branded mobile application will be easily configured to reflect each NLA member operator's brand, consumer and corporate rates and policies and preferences, as well as offer the services of another NLA member operator when the user's primary operator of choice is fully booked.
"In an increasingly mobile-first society, it is abundantly clear it is time for a mobile application that combines the convenience of ride-hailing applications with the unequaled Duty-of-Care, incomparable service, and unrivaled safety standards offered by NLA members," Buffo said. "We chose to collaborate with Deem because of its established reputation for innovation and reliability and its unique combination of cloud and mobile commerce capabilities, corporate travel and ground expertise, and significant intellectual property in ground and mobile GPS technologies. Deem is a sound choice with whom to partner and to develop and deploy the NLA's technology solution and, in so doing, revolutionize and transform the chauffeured ground transportation industry."
"Our marketing and technology alliance with the NLA aligns perfectly with Deem's mission of helping businesses to lower costs, increase revenue, and deepen customer loyalty so that they can invest more fully in their people, customers, and communities," Grady added. "The NLA has set the definitive standards in terms of quality, service, and safety in the chauffeured ground transportation industry, and their members comprise the finest operators throughout the world. Together, Deem and the NLA will provide thousands of ground transportation operators with a uniquely configurable and reliable cloud network and mobile application for use by their corporate and private customers."
Visit limo.org for more information about the NLA. Visit deem.com for more information about Deem.
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