Send us Fan Mail

Learn more about The Transportation Alliance (TTA): https://www.thetransportationalliance.org/ 

Welcome to a special edition of the Ground Transportation Podcast filmed at the Phoenix Hotel in Washington, D.C. James Blain and Dan Reid, President of The Transportation Alliance, discuss their experiences at the National Limousine Association event and the legislative fly-in for The Transportation Alliance. 

The episode covers the importance of Day On the Hill, the role of associations in the transportation industry, the significance of mentorship, and how operators can get involved both locally and nationally. Dan also shares his personal journey into non-emergency medical transportation and the evolution of The Transportation Alliance. Tune in for insights on legislative advocacy, industry networking, and the future of ground transportation.

Share your perspective in the Q1 2026 Operator survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJBV3NZ

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

In this solo episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken dives deep into the myths and misconceptions surrounding the valuation and sale of transportation businesses. With insights from over 270 companies and 100+ transactions since 2018, Ken discusses:

• The vital metrics, processes, and preparations needed to create a sellable business 
• The difference between a lifestyle businesses a real transportation company
• The importance of financial health, consistent profitability, and professional planning
• The common pitfalls that prevent businesses from selling
• When you should start planning for an exit

If you're thinking about selling your business in the future, this episode is essential listening for actionable advice and industry truths.

Share your perspective in the Q1 2026 Operator survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJBV3NZ

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci and James Blain chat with Eric Coolbaugh from Advantage Remarketing, discussing the evolution of his business and its impact on the transportation industry. In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Eric’s journey in the transportation industry from furloughed to flourishing
• What do look for in your first motorcoach purchase
• Major vehicle trends over the past three decades
• Perception vs reality of ‘Sprinters’ in the minds of consumers
• What banks look for when you need financing
• The significance of building strong industry relationships

Share your perspective in the Q1 2026 Operator survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJBV3NZ

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

Learn more about the Driving Financial Success Program:
https://drivingtransactions.com/programs-courses/driving-financial-success/

In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, James and Ken discuss the importance of understanding and accurately structuring pricing in the ground transportation industry. They explore the critical nature of knowing one's cost structure. This way, operators can avoid pricing too low and risking unprofitability. Listen to this episode to learn how you can properly manage your finances and establish a pricing strategy that leads to profitable growth. In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Common pitfalls, like not knowing costs and relying too heavily on competitor pricing
• How to analyze your costs to inform your pricing strategy
• How to view pricing through the lens of profitability
• Why it’s important to keep your accounting and financial statements organized
• Practical advice for operators on how to push prices up without losing customers
• The relevance of dynamic pricing strategies for transportation business owners

Share your perspective in the Q1 2026 Operator survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJBV3NZ

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

In this podcast episode, hosts Ken Lucci and James Blain interview Charlie Horky, the legendary founder of Slade Services, who shares his journey from washing cars to running a $70 million limousine service empire. In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Charlie Horky went from washing cars to owning a fleet of vehicles
• Charlie’s unique approach to training his chauffeurs like Navy Seals
• Charlie’s experiences dealing with high-profile clients like Jimmy Buffet and Prince
• The role relationships and impeccable service play in luxury transportation
• A preview of Horky’s upcoming book documenting his challenges, resilience, and ultimate success.

Connect with Charlie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-horky-1320354b/
Visit Slade Services: https://www.sladeservices.com/

Share your perspective in the Q1 2026 Operator survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJBV3NZ

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

Learn more about proactive driver training programs today: https://paxtraining.com/

In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci and James Blain discuss the importance of taking proactive measures to create a culture of safety within your ground transportation company. In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The basic elements of distracted driving and why it’s important to be proactive
• What does it mean to build a culture of safety?
• Examples of safety in action
• The role of telematics in driver training
• The paradox of of the ‘days without an accident’ mentality
• The impact of training on profitability
• Examples of distracted driving for CDLs
• Managing and correcting driver behavior
• The impact of driver safety on insurance costs

Share your perspective in the Q1 2026 Operator survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJBV3NZ

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Ground Transformation Podcast, James Blain and Ken Lucci interview Paul Pasternak, the Director of Affiliate Relationships for Legends Limousine. Paul shares his journey in the transportation industry, starting from his family's local car service in Brooklyn to building a robust affiliate network at Legends Limousine. In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Paul’s story growing up in the transportation industry, and the decision to pursue the luxury market
• Why it’s so important (and challenging) to train staff to ask for return trips
• The unique niche market of car seats and serving clients with babies and young children
• Paul’s detailed vetting process for selecting top affiliates to ensure high-quality service for Legend’s clients in global markets

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-pasternak-434919202/
Visit Legends Limousine online: https://legendslimousine.com/

Share your perspective in the Q1 2026 Operator survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJBV3NZ

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

What does it take to sell (or buy) a passenger transportation business? 

In this episode, Ken and James explore why M&A activity is high in the passenger transportation industry. They break down how changes since the pandemic have driven market evolutions, the importance of preparation, and key strategies for both sellers and buyers navigating transactions.

• The state of mergers and acquisitions in the passenger transportation industry
• The different players involved in business transactions of transportation companies
• Signs of good (and bad) sellers of transportation businesses
• Signs of good (and bad) buyers of transportation businesses
• The valuation equation and the different components that impact sale price
• Considerations for business owners serious about exit planning

Share your perspective in the Q1 2026 Operator survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJBV3NZ

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

Register for Day on the Hill in D.C. → https://www.limo.org/events/day-on-the-hill

Make your voices heard in congress. This episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast dives straight into the heart of advocacy in the industry. Explore how participating in the annual Day on the Hill Event (4/28/25 and 4/29/25 in Washington, D.C.) can shape the future of the chauffeured transportation industry. NLA President Brett Barenholtz returns in another episode to speak on behalf of the event and how the industry is stronger when it bands together.

In this episode, you'll hear:
• The significance of the Day on the Hill in building relationships with legislators
• The personal and professional growth benefits of participating in national and state associations
• How insurance challenges, like increasing costs, are impacting operators nationwide
• Insights into the NLA's political action committee (PAC) and its role in supporting operators
• The power of networking and mentorship in advancing within the transportation industry

Last year, the National Limousine Association was missing representatives from the following states. If you are an owner/operator in one of these states, we call upon you to attend:
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Share your perspective in the Q1 2026 Operator survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJBV3NZ

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

Thinking about going into the Motor Coach space? Do your homework first...

In this episode, Ken Lucci welcomes Tom Holden, a DOT and safety expert, to discuss the intricacies and challenges associated with expanding into the motor coach industry. Ken and Tom explore essential strategies and considerations for operators aiming to elevate their services. In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why you should establish demand before investing in motor coaches
• The differences between operating a chauffeured transportation fleet and a motor coach fleet
• Effective strategies to navigate the insurance complexities in the motor coach sector
• How to use DOT compliance and safety management as a competitive advantage
• The benefits of using advanced tech solutions to monitor safety and efficiency

Whether you're contemplating a fleet expansion or already operating in the motor coach space, Tom's expert insights provide actionable advice to optimize your safety and profitability.

Connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-holden-418bb37/
Visit Tom's website: https://www.theadvisors.org/

Share your perspective in the Q1 2026 Operator survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJBV3NZ

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp