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

    4d ago

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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 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 driversWhy 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

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

    Jun 3

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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

    1h 4m
  3. M&A in 2026: The Real Path to a Profitable Exit

    May 27

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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 valuationWhy top line revenue means nothing without a healthy EBITDA and consistent NOIWhy owners need to draw a consistent W-2 salary and manage expenses on the booksWhy 80% of DIY sales fail, the reality of unpaid EIDL loans, and myths of all-cash closingsWho 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

    57 min
  4. Open for Business: How FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs is Rebuilding the Passenger Division

    May 20

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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 resourcesThe agency's commitment to accessibility, education, communication and enforcementThe critical need to aggressively stop "chameleon carriers" and illegal operators Why Barrs believes focusing on foundational safety details builds a culture of successThe 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 Visit the FMCSA website 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

    49 min
  5. Stop Wasting Ad Spend: Secrets of a Winning Limo Marketing Strategy

    May 13

    Stop Wasting Ad Spend: Secrets of a Winning Limo Marketing Strategy

    Send us Fan Mail Are your DIY Google Ads bleeding your ground transportation business dry? In this episode, Ken Lucci sits down with Mark Petree from Limo Marketer to dissect the biggest digital marketing mistakes costing operators thousands in wasted ad spend. From the dangers of unoptimized campaigns to the critical importance of high-converting landing pages, they unpack the exact strategies needed to transform clicks into booked trips. This episode dives deep into the data-driven tactics that separate top-tier operators from those just throwing money at the internet. • How to stop paying for price shoppers and start feeding Google the right conversion data • Why Google Ads are a targeted solution while Facebook functions like digital "billboards"  • The essential elements your landing pages need to capture qualified leads  • Why sales follow-up is the real reason your digital marketing campaigns are failing • A real-world example of how asking the right questions landed a massive corporate account If you want to stop paying the "Google stupidity tax" and start treating your generated leads like money, this episode is a mandatory masterclass in maximizing your marketing ROI. 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

    1h 1m
  6. UMA Legislative Fly-In: Fighting $5 Million Insurance Threats & Unfair Tolls

    May 6

    UMA Legislative Fly-In: Fighting $5 Million Insurance Threats & Unfair Tolls

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the ground transportation industry takes its fight directly to the halls of Congress? James Blain sits down with UMA President Scott Michael and VP of Legislative Affairs Ken Presley just a week after the UMA Legislative Fly-In in Washington, D.C. Together, they unpack the critical lobbying efforts operators recently brought to Capitol Hill to defend the motorcoach industry against crippling new regulations. From navigating the political maze of committees to meeting one-on-one with lawmakers, this episode breaks down exactly how the government's decisions impact your bottom line: Why H.R. 2526 is essential to ensure charter buses get the same toll rates as public transitHow advocates are pushing back against proposed astronomical insurance liability hikesThe ongoing battle to prevent local public transit agencies from encroaching on the charter workWhy your voice holds significantly more weight to politicians than a paid lobbyist Actionable steps to educate your local lawmakers, even if you can't make it to D.C. If you don't step up and educate your representatives about your business, you risk becoming collateral damage to sweeping federal legislation 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

    1h 2m
  7. Do Quality Reviews Matter? They’re Deciding Your Company’s Future

    Apr 29

    Do Quality Reviews Matter? They’re Deciding Your Company’s Future

    Send us Fan Mail Do reviews really matter? The answer could determine the future value of your business. In Episode 84 of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci and James Blain explore how online reviews shape brand equity, customer perception, and ultimately, your bottom line. Drawing from real operator examples, they reveal how a single negative review—especially one left unanswered—can significantly damage your reputation, while consistent positive feedback can elevate your pricing power and long-term business value. This episode covers:  The measurable impact of negative vs. positive reviews  Why most operators misunderstand (and underestimate) brand reputation  How poor reviews often point to deeper operational and cultural issues  Strategies for responding, improving, and leveraging reviews to grow They also discuss how emerging technologies and AI-driven search will rely heavily on review data—making your online reputation more important than ever. Whether you’re a small operator or preparing to scale or sell your business, this episode is a must-listen on protecting and building your brand. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome 00:17 Brand Equity Kickoff 01:52 Ego and Missed Opportunities 02:50 Reviews Drive Business Value 06:05 AI and the Future of Reviews 09:35 Bad Review Driver Incident 13:35 Responding Without Ego 15:44 Coaching Drivers and Documentation 21:30 Wedding Disaster Review Breakdown 24:15 Root Causes Culture and Systems 28:28 Owner Accountability and Oversight 30:28 Bad Review Math 31:18 Getting More Reviews 33:06 Negative Reviews Spread 33:50 Viral Reputation Landmines 35:12 Stroller Crash Review 37:04 Investigate and Prevent 38:19 Spotter Trust Lesson 40:54 Responding to Incidents 41:51 Five Star Review Breakdown 44:49 Celebrate Driver Wins 47:37 Turn Service Into Sales 51:32 Claim Your Profiles 54:16 Handling Fake Reviews 56:19 Long Game Reputation 58:13 Culture Is the Takeaway 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

    1h 1m
  8. Stop Trying to Be Everything—It’s Why You’re Not Profitable

    Apr 22

    Stop Trying to Be Everything—It’s Why You’re Not Profitable

    Send us Fan Mail Stop trying to be everything to everyone. In this episode, Ken Lucci sits down with Scott Woodruff to unpack a hard truth in the transportation industry: the operators who try to do it all often struggle the most. From fleet decisions to client targeting, Scott shares how focusing on the right niche—and saying no to the wrong opportunities—can transform your business. They also dive into: Building a culture that drives performanceWhy service failures can create stronger loyaltyThe importance of clear corporate valuesHow to align your business with profitable demandIf you’re looking to improve margins, sharpen your strategy, and build a more focused operation, this episode delivers practical, no-nonsense insights. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome 01:45 Scott’s Origin Story 04:16 Des Moines Market Snapshot 08:51 Affiliate Networking Playbook 11:36 Landing Corporate Accounts 13:26 Guerrilla Marketing Tactics 20:01 Hiring and Using Software 20:35 Targeting Admin Associations 22:40 Building Culture and Values 25:19 The Three Ps of Service 27:26 Secret Service Book 28:41 Make Price Irrelevant 30:15 Ownership Over Blame 33:25 Premium Clientele Focus 35:53 Compete With Yourself 39:40 Fleet Standardization Shift 43:26 Motor Coach Hard Lessons 50:06 Culture And Specialization 52:13 Wrap Up And Resources Secret Service: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secret-service-john-r-dijulius/1102801756?ean=9780814471715 Scott Woodruff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-woodruff-6b194511 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

    55 min
See All (91)

4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

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
    91
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ground Transportation Podcast
  • Show Website
    Ground Transportation Podcast

You Might Also Like