Ground Transportation Podcast

Ken Lucci & James Blain
  • 4.6 (11)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Take your transportation business to the next level.  Kenneth Lucci of Driving Transactions and James Blain of PAX Training share the secrets of growing a successful and profitable ground transportation company. On this podcast, you’ll hear interviews with owners, operators, investors, and other key players in the industry. You’ll also hear plenty of banter between Ken and James. Learn how you can grow revenue, train your team, drive higher profits, and boost owner income. Subscribe today!

  1. 1d ago ·  Video

    100 Episodes Later: The Milestones, Mistakes, and Memories that Shaped the Show

    Send us Fan Mail Did you know that only 7% of all podcasts ever make it to their 100th episode? In this special edition of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci and James Blain, along with producer John Tyreman, celebrate this incredible milestone by reflecting on their journey from "two idiots who talk too much" to becoming the trusted historians of the ground transportation industry. The guys look back at their most memorable episodes, behind-the-scenes outtakes, and game-changing lessons from legendary operators and industry influencers. From rags-to-riches founder stories to high-stakes regulatory developments and viral "Waymo Behaving Badly" clips, this special retrospective highlights the golden nuggets that have shaped the first 100 episodes of the show. In this episode, you'll learn... • How a former Boston cab driver built Commonwealth Worldwide after a chance encounter • Why Maurice Brewster said "no" to Apple’s first major contract—and how it led to a massive Google fleet deal • The story behind getting FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs to break the ice and speak directly to the industry • The critical difference between "bought sales" and "earned sales" from customer service expert John DiJulius • What the future holds for the podcast, autonomous vehicle disruptions, and Ken's newly announced retirement timeline CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 05:38 Dawson Builds Commonwealth 14:51 Charlie Horkey Talks Stories 22:34 Maurice Brewster 32:06 Derek Barrs 41:36 John DiJulius 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

    100 Episodes Later: The Milestones, Mistakes, and Memories that Shaped the Show

  2. Aug 12 ·  Video

    The Red Man Also Has Great Heroes: The History, Vision, and Independent Spirit of Crazy Horse

    Send us Fan Mail Are you leveraging world-class national landmarks to drive high-ticket bookings and fuel your fleet's growth? In this episode, James Blain sits down with Whitney Rencountre II, CEO of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, to explore the profound history, unyielding independent spirit, and multi-generational vision behind this colossal mountain carving. They unpack how the monument—initiated by Chief Henry Standing Bear—has grown into a thriving cultural and educational destination that operates entirely without a single dollar of state or federal funding. Whitney details the immense scale of the carving and explains how attracting over 600,000 visitors between Memorial Day and Labor Day makes the landmark a critical economic driver that fuels group tour and charter bus bookings throughout the Black Hills. In this episode, you'll learn: How Chief Henry Standing Bear’s boarding school experience sparked a lifelong vow to protect Native American cultureWhy the Ziolkowski family steadfastly rejected government funding to keep the humanitarian mission completely independentHow Ruth Ross’s strategic pivot to carve Crazy Horse’s face first created an undeniable vision that saved the projectHow the memorial draws 600,000 peak-season travelers and how operators can capitalize on national heritage tourismHow Ruth’s foundational philosophy of “make a friend first” serves as the ultimate blueprint for winning repeat tour group business 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 Red Man Also Has Great Heroes: The History, Vision, and Independent Spirit of Crazy Horse

  3. Aug 5 ·  Video

    The 200+ Five-Star Review Engine: Making Your Brand Undeniable | Jomara Gonzalez

    Send us Fan Mail How do you build an undeniable brand that commands 32% higher prices without spending a single dollar on Google Ads?  In this episode, Ken Lucci sits down with Jomara Gonzalez, founder of Magic Carpet Shuttle and Tours, to unpack her inspiring transition from corporate banking to ground transportation grit. Jomara shares how she overcame a brutal first year by leveraging strategic chamber of commerce networking, business coaching, and high-impact affiliate partnerships to scale a high-ticket wedding transportation business.  She reveals the exact step-by-step review acquisition and lead follow-up systems that have made her company’s reputation untouchable in her market. In this episode, you'll learn: Why Jomara charges 32% more than competitors and still easily books out her schedule.The "8-minute" trick to capture 200+ five-star Google reviews from passengers.How to scale a high-ticket charter business without buying a massive fleet of vehicles.How to prevent major revenue leaks by going from "quoting" to active closing.Why "cry, buy, or die" follow-ups are the secret to winning major wedding jobsCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 02:26 Origin Story and Big Idea 07:04 First-Year Reality Check 08:16 Networking Lessons and Mindset 10:30 Allies Not Competitors 15:11 Revenue Growth and Website 18:57 Systems and Business Coaching 23:32 Family Support and Partnership 27:49 Reviews and Social Proof Engine 30:44 Premium Pricing Objections 32:46 Surviving Seasonality 33:32 Follow Up Every Lead 35:43 Nurture Sequences That Convert 41:19 Sell Value Not Price 45:14 Networking and Flywheel Growth 53:53 Closing Stories and Wrap Up 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 200+ Five-Star Review Engine: Making Your Brand Undeniable | Jomara Gonzalez

  4. Jul 29 ·  Video

    The Death of 5-Star Service: Why 'Good Enough' is Killing The Industry

    Send us Fan Mail Are you losing your highest-paying clients because your chauffeurs are acting like rideshare drivers? In this episode,  Ken Lucci and James Blain tackle the alarming decline of five-star customer service across the ground transportation and hospitality industries. They share frustrating real-world travel stories and break down why settling for "good enough" is blurring the line between luxury black cars and everyday Uber rides. To capture the massive corporate airport market, operators must ditch the dull AI bots, mandate pilot-style checklists, and get back to basic chauffeur etiquette. In this episode, you'll learn... Why the top 3% of travelers represent a $20.2 billion airport marketHow to fix the "pre-pissed" passenger experience by getting in the back seatWhy relying solely on AI bots is frustrating your best customersHow pilot-style checklists guarantee a consistent and flawless luxury rideWhy the owner is never too big to call customers for direct feedbackCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 02:14 Turnpike Fan Encounter 04:15 Five Star Service Slipping 10:43 Why Service Keeps Declining 13:11 Customer Rage And Training Gaps 15:35 Chauffeur Booking Nightmares 18:40 In Car Service Falling Short 22:03 Fixing Standards With Training 24:58 Uber Black And Low Entry Bar 30:18 Service Standards Slipping 30:55 Pyramid and Checklists 32:29 Marketing Flywheel Breakdown 33:35 What Wow Service Looks Like 35:40 Industry Reputation Risk 37:11 Owner Follow Up Matters 38:17 Process Over Guesswork 41:23 Servant Heart Story 44:18 Chauffeur Etiquette Lost 48:27 Airport Market Opportunity 52:57 Future of Private Transport 54:51 Get in the Back Seat 57:20 Conclusion 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 Death of 5-Star Service: Why 'Good Enough' is Killing The Industry

  5. Jul 22 ·  Video

    Bought vs. Earned Sales: Why Your Fleet Should Stop Relying on Google Ads | John DiJulius

    Send us Fan Mail Are you burning thousands of dollars a month on Google Ads just to fight for transactional customers? Host Ken Lucci sits down with customer experience legend and author John DiJulius to discuss why the most profitable businesses don't rely on expensive advertising. They break down the critical difference between "bought" sales and "earned" sales, and how obsessing over your service can eliminate your need for paid leads. John shares actionable frameworks, like the FORD method and the Service Recovery Paradox, to help operators turn everyday chauffeurs into true brand ambassadors. In this episode, you'll learn: The critical difference between "bought" and "earned" sales.How to use the FORD method to truly own client relationships.Why you must stop playing "employee roulette" with chauffeurs.Why discounting is a tax paid for delivering average service.How fixing a massive mistake builds 10x more customer loyalty.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 04:19 Industry Disruption And Origin Story 12:13 Secret Service In Action 20:29 FORD Relationship Framework 25:58 Making Price Irrelevant 30:36 Interviewing For Culture Fit 33:12 Service DNA After Pandemic 34:43 Building Culture North Star 36:11 Service Recovery Paradox 41:11 Scaling Great Service 44:27 Concierge Yes Mindset 50:42 Disciples Create Memories 54:41 DeJulius Group Origin 56:04 Books Resources Wrap Up 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

  6. Jul 15 ·  Video

    From Flat Renewals to 50% Hikes: How to Take Control of Your Insurance Rates | Joe Madiedo & Tyler Lamer

    Send us Fan Mail Why are some operators seeing flat insurance renewals while others are hit with massive 50% rate hikes? In this episode, James Blain sits down with returning guest Joe Madiedo from Professional Insurance Center and Tyler Lamer from Signers National to dissect the current commercial auto insurance market. They explore how taking a proactive approach to safety and fleet management can drastically lower your premiums and give you control over your rates. Joe also shares the personal story behind his family agency's recent partnership, and how their "1 plus 1 equals 3" approach will expand resources and market access for operators nationwide. In this episode, you'll learn: The safety "gym cycle" and why cutting your training budget kills profitsWhy holding onto 20-year-old buses restricts your access to insuranceHow the recent $2 million excess coverage squeeze impacts motorcoachesWhat specific safety levers make your fleet appetizing to underwritersHow Joe's new partnership with Sinerz National expands operator resourcesCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 01:15 Business Shakeup Announcement 02:39 Origins of the Agency 04:09 Loss and Staying the Course 06:36 Choosing the Right Partner 09:23 What Partnership Enables 12:47 Meet Sinerz National 14:27 Specialty Platform Strategy 16:18 Commercial Auto Cars Division 17:23 Why Invest in Tough Markets 19:02 Shared Services Model 21:36 Rate Outlook and Safety Wins 25:36 Fleet Rate Shockwaves 26:46 Safety Spend Gym Cycle 29:30 Bigger Vehicles Bigger Premiums 30:56 Excess Coverage Explained 33:27 Tort Reform And Market Pressure 35:34 Light At End Of Tunnel 38:04 Training Culture Shift 40:31 Highest Value Insurance Levers 45:51 Fleet Age And Carrier Access 48:15 Industry Partnerships 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

  7. Jul 8 ·  Video

    The Evolution of the Livery Vehicle: 40 Years of Fleet Strategy with Barry Trabb

    Send us Fan Mail Are you relying on a local retail car dealer who views your luxury fleet as just another transaction?   In this episode, Ken Lucci and James Blain sit down with Barry Trabb, founder of Complete Fleet, to explore nearly four decades of experience navigating the ground transportation industry. From the glory days of the Lincoln Town Car to the rise of crossovers, Transits, and hybrids, Barry unpacks the ever-changing landscape of livery vehicles. They discuss why true fleet advocacy is critical to your survival and how to avoid the hidden traps of retail dealership purchasing. In this episode, you'll learn: Why hybrids are beating EVs and solving chauffeur range anxietyHow chasing 0% retail financing keeps your new car off the roadWhy using expensive luxury SUVs for sedan work kills profitsHow the high-top Transit van became the "Kleenex" of the industryHow to secure extended factory livery warranties up to 200k miles 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

  8. Jul 1 ·  Video

    50,000-Pound Bullets: Chameleon Operators Are a Threat to Highway Safety

    Send us Fan Mail How does a motorcoach company with a 33% driver out-of-compliance rate stay on the road?  In this wake-up call to motorcoach operators, Ken Lucci sits down with safety expert Tom Holden from The Transportation Advisors to dissect the tragic reality behind a recent fatal bus crash on I-95.  They expose the dark underbelly of "chameleon operators"—illegal companies that evade FMCSA regulations by constantly changing their names and DOT numbers after being shut down. This episode serves as an urgent wake-up call for the industry and lawmakers to crack down on these unsafe, 50,000-pound bullets before another tragedy occurs. In this episode, you'll learn: How "chameleon operators" use shell companies to evade the DOT.Why a company with a 33% out-of-compliance rate got a satisfactory rating.How these illegal bus companies are operating out of apartment complexes.Why relying on AI-generated safety manuals is a dangerous liability.How legitimate operators can use their safety records to win more business.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Deadly Crash Wake-Up Call 01:31 Meet Tom Holden 03:19 News Report Crash Details 05:13 Chameleon Operators Explained 14:51 Red Flags and Fixing Compliance 21:56 Fixing Unsatisfactory Ratings 23:06 Chameleon Operators Exposed 24:05 How DOT Numbers Slip Through 27:02 Safety Tech and Selling Safety 29:56 Policy Fixes and Final Takeaways Learn more about The Transportation Advisors Connect with Tom Holden on LinkedIn Here is the original CBS news video  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

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4.6
out of 5
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About

Take your transportation business to the next level.  Kenneth Lucci of Driving Transactions and James Blain of PAX Training share the secrets of growing a successful and profitable ground transportation company. On this podcast, you’ll hear interviews with owners, operators, investors, and other key players in the industry. You’ll also hear plenty of banter between Ken and James. Learn how you can grow revenue, train your team, drive higher profits, and boost owner income. Subscribe today!

Information

  • Creator
    Ken Lucci & James Blain
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ground Transportation Podcast
  • Show Website
    Ground Transportation Podcast

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