2026 GTO Research Review: Benchmarks, Outlooks, and Perspectives from 236 Operators

2026 GTO Research Review: Benchmarks, Outlooks, and Perspectives from 236 Operators

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400189/fan_mail/new] Are you leaving millions of dollars on the table at the airport, or risking your entire company on an AI-written manual?  Hosts James Blain and Ken Lucci break down the highly anticipated GTO Research Report, which compiled perspectives from 236 operators across the United States.  The duo reviews the PDF report, separating the most profitable, fast-growing fleets from those struggling to survive. From navigating the CDL hiring shortage to understanding the "flywheel effect" of consistent driver training, this episode provides actionable benchmarks to elevate your operations. In this episode, you'll learn: * How to evaluate your fleet's revenue and when to cull assets. * How to turn rideshare and delivery drivers into a career pipeline. * Why relying on AI-written chauffeur manuals is a massive liability. * How stacking weekly safety training creates a profitable flywheel. * The secret to capturing the $24 billion corporate airport market. Download the report here. [https://drivingfinancialsuccess.mykajabi.com/gtoresearch] At Driving Transactions, Ken Lucci and his team offer financial analysis, KPI reviews, for specific purposes like improving profitability, enhancing the value of the enterprise business planning and buying and selling companies. So if you have any of those needs, please give us a call or check us out at www.drivingtransactions.com. 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

Finding the CDL Unicorn: Solving the Passenger Endorsement Shortage with Jodie Spencer-Lethgo

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400189/fan_mail/new] Are you struggling to find qualified CDL drivers with a passenger endorsement?  On this episode, Ken Lucci sits down with Jodie Spencer-Lethgo from Career Driver [https://careerdriver.com/] to tackle the industry's biggest hiring challenges. They explore why finding a Class B driver with a passenger endorsement is like hunting for a unicorn in today's market. Jodie shares her expert strategies for transforming your hiring process from a stuffy interrogation into a powerful sales pitch. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why you should conduct your next chauffeur interview inside an Escalade. * How AI and Reddit forums are secretly impacting your applicant pipeline. * The core differences between hiring freight truckers and passenger drivers * Why your ground transportation business needs to always be recruiting. * How to speed up your hiring process so you stop losing top-tier candidates. At Driving Transactions, Ken Lucci and his team offer financial analysis, KPI reviews, for specific purposes like improving profitability, enhancing the value of the enterprise business planning and buying and selling companies. So if you have any of those needs, please give us a call or check us out at www.drivingtransactions.com. 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

The 2.5% Solution: How the NY Black Car Fund Protects 100,000 Drivers, with Ira Goldstein

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400189/fan_mail/new] How does a single organization provide workers' compensation and vital benefits to over 100,000 independent drivers without charging them a dime? On this episode, James and Ken sit down with Ira Goldstein, Executive Director of the New York Black Car Fund, to unpack the magic behind this unique statewide program. Drawing from his years of experience as Chief of Staff at the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, Ira shares the history of the fund and how it successfully evolved to include everyone from traditional black car chauffeurs to Uber and Lyft drivers.  The trio also tackles the industry's most pressing modern challenges, including the fight against illegal operators, the crackdown on airport hustlers, and the looming threat of autonomous vehicles hitting the streets of New York. At Driving Transactions, Ken Lucci and his team offer financial analysis, KPI reviews, for specific purposes like improving profitability, enhancing the value of the enterprise business planning and buying and selling companies. So if you have any of those needs, please give us a call or check us out at www.drivingtransactions.com. 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

M&A in 2026: The Real Path to a Profitable Exit

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400189/fan_mail/new] Did you know that only 20% of small businesses with under a million in sales ever successfully transition to a second owner? In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci of Driving Transactions breaks down the hard truths and latest M&A trends for the passenger transportation industry in 2026. He dispels common myths about exiting a business and unpacks the fundamental difference between running a daily lifestyle operation versus building a truly sellable enterprise. Whether you plan to sell in two years or twenty, this episode provides a masterclass on structuring your financials, operations, and team to maximize enterprise value long before you even think about putting your business on the market. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why being the most important person in your business actually hurts your valuation * Why top line revenue means nothing without a healthy EBITDA and consistent NOI * Why owners need to draw a consistent W-2 salary and manage expenses on the books * Why 80% of DIY sales fail, the reality of unpaid EIDL loans, and myths of all-cash closings * Who you need on your M&A team — and who you should avoid If you want to ensure your life's work actually funds your retirement instead of becoming an unsold statistic, this episode is an absolute must-listen At Driving Transactions, Ken Lucci and his team offer financial analysis, KPI reviews, for specific purposes like improving profitability, enhancing the value of the enterprise business planning and buying and selling companies. So if you have any of those needs, please give us a call or check us out at www.drivingtransactions.com. 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

Open for Business: How FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs is Rebuilding the Passenger Division

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400189/fan_mail/new] Are you ready for a new era of accessibility and partnership with the federal government? In this episode, James Blain sits down for a highly anticipated conversation with Derek Barrs, 8th Administrator FMCSA-USDOT, to discuss his vision for the passenger transportation industry. Together, they explore the FMCSA's renewed dedication to the motorcoach sector, including active efforts to rebuild the passenger carrying division and foster collaborative relationships with operators.  This episode provides a rare, transparent look at how federal regulators are shifting their focus to work alongside businesses to elevate safety standards and eliminate bad actors.  * How the FMCSA is utilizing a new "borderless" approach to restore knowledge and resources * The agency's commitment to accessibility, education, communication and enforcement * The critical need to aggressively stop "chameleon carriers" and illegal operators  * Why Barrs believes focusing on foundational safety details builds a culture of success * The importance of treating school bus and motorcoach drivers as highly trained professionals  If you want to understand the future of federal safety enforcement and how to build a stronger, more collaborative relationship with regulators, this episode is a mandatory listen. Connect with Derek on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefderekbarrs/] Visit the FMCSA website [https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/] At Driving Transactions, Ken Lucci and his team offer financial analysis, KPI reviews, for specific purposes like improving profitability, enhancing the value of the enterprise business planning and buying and selling companies. So if you have any of those needs, please give us a call or check us out at www.drivingtransactions.com. 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