Driving Transactions, in partnership with PAX Training, Chauffeur Driven, and the Ground Transportation Podcast, has released the 2026 Q1 Ground Transportation Operator Research Briefing, a new industry research report based on responses from 236 transportation company owners and operators across the country. The report examines key trends affecting the chauffeured transportation industry, including fleet strategy, recruiting and retention, safety practices, training programs, and airport transportation demand. In addition to survey findings, the report includes commentary and best practices from industry leaders in recruiting, training, insurance, operations, and business growth.
Among the report's most notable takeaways:
Fleet Growth Is Moving Beyond Sedans
The traditional sedan-centric fleet model—where most small operators are—continues to evolve. Nearly 41% of operators reported plans to add SUVs in 2026, while nearly one-third reported plans to add mini-coaches. At the same time, sedans recorded the highest level of planned reductions among major vehicle categories.
Notably, fleet diversity drives growth. From the report: “As companies scale from under $1M to $20M+, they don’t just add more vehicles; they fundamentally change the mix. Smaller operators are heavily reliant on sedans and SUVs, while larger operators dramatically expand into minibuses, shuttles, and motorcoaches. That shift reflects a move from individual trips to higher-value group transportation, which is where meaningful revenue growth occurs.”
Hiring CDL Chauffeurs Remains the Industry's Biggest Talent Challenge
More than 59% of respondents described attracting and retaining CDL chauffeurs (specifically, those with the P endorsement) as somewhat or extremely difficult, making it the most challenging position to fill in the industry.
Conversely, hiring in-house marketing professionals and reservationists were among the easiest positions to fill.
Safety Programs Show Significant Gaps Across the Industry
This was among the most striking findings in the report—and likely that with the most consequences. While safety remains a top concern for operators, the data reveal substantial differences in how companies approach training and risk management. Only one-third of operators reported conducting driver training monthly or more frequently, while more than 60% conduct training quarterly or less often. Larger operators are more likely to have their training dialed in, possibly conducting weekly training for their chauffeur team, while smaller operators quickly demonstrate that training is not a priority. The report includes expert analysis from leading insurance and safety professionals on the operational and financial implications of these findings.
Many Operators May Be Running on Outdated Policies
More than half of respondents reported that their chauffeur manuals have not been updated within the past year, and nearly 28% have not updated them since 2023 or earlier. Beyond just an increase in insurance scrutiny, industry experts featured in the report warn that outdated documentation and unenforced policies can create significant exposure in today's litigation environment
Technology Dearth With Smaller Operators
Operators generating less than $1 million annually reported having telematics installed on roughly half their fleet, while operators above $5 million reported telematics adoption exceeding 90%. While vital for training, telematics can also help in accident prevention and even in a lawsuit or insurance claim following an incident.
Airport Transportation Outlook Remains Positive
Despite continued competition from transportation network companies (like Uber) and ongoing economic uncertainty, 46% of operators expect airport transportation revenue to increase in 2026, compared with just 13% who expect declines. Among operators forecasting growth, the average expected increase was nearly 33%.
Bottom Line
“The ground transportation industry is at an inflection point. Our goal with the research and the Ground Transportation Podcast is to help the industry become stronger together so we can tackle the insurance crisis, embrace autonomous vehicles, and engage with customers in new ways. For those reasons, Driving Transactions has partnered up with Chauffeur Driven, PAX Training, and the Ground Transportation Podcast to conduct and share this research with you,” said Driving Transactions Principal Analyst Ken Lucci about the survey.
This is just a sampling of what the report contains. The full 2026 Q1 Ground Transportation Operator Research Briefing is available for download here.
Additionally, Lucci will discuss the findings of the report in an upcoming episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast with co-host James Blain of PAX Training. The impressive catalogue of past guests includes Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine, Bruce Heinrich of LEADER Limo, Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global, Doug Schwartz of Executive Limousine, Tom Holden of The Transportation Advisors, Tami and Dawson Rutter of Commonwealth Worldwide, and Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven, among many others. You can listen to the weekly podcast—or catch up on previous episodes—at groundtransportationpodcast.com.
Look for the next quarterly survey to be announced in the coming weeks. A link to the complete the survey will be included on Chauffeur Driven’s Facebook page and in our weekly e-news, which is launched every Wednesday. All operators are invited and encouraged to participate.
[06.02.26]
