[gjbl8114]

AIRPORT SHUTTLE WARNING

There are facts you need to know when booking an airport shuttle. There are two major services that provide airport transportation in the area. Both will get you to the airport. The difference is how and when will you get to the airport. Workmans, the airport shuttle which operates exclusively within The Villages has a direct pick up of passengers from one of two depots (Brownwood and Sumter). This shuttle service takes you directly to the airport and has a designated docking station on the lower level of the airport upon its arrival. It does not pick you up from your front door and it does not drop you off at your designated airline, but it is operated professionally and timely without abrupt changes to your scheduled departing time when you book. The other shuttle service is known as Village Airport Van, very different from the one operated by The Villages. This shuttle service typically picks you up at your home and will deliver you back to your home upon your return trip when booked accordingly. While both serve a needed service for airport travelers, this particular shuttle service has quite a few inconvenient flaws with regards to their scheduling. There is the real and recurring issue of changing your pickup time at the last minute and perhaps, in my case changing it three times to my annoyance. Then there is the obvious annoyance of how many stops are made before finally departing for the airport. And, don’t let me forget about how many stops before departing for airport are made where individuals take up as much as five to ten minutes before they enter the Van. Now this service, in spite of its convenience for some, is not for all and people should know the facts and difference between the two. Just know that if you require or don’t mind not knowing exactly when you will arrive at the airport, then this service is definitely for you. But for those of us who want to be assured of a departure and arrival airport time should not choose this Van, and if you should decide it is for you, do not get yourself twisted in knots when you know how different the two services operate. Consider yourself forewarned.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by gjbl8114

AIRPORT SHUTTLE WARNING

There are facts you need to know when booking an airport shuttle. There are two major services that provide airport transportation in the area. Both will get you to the airport. The difference is how and when will you get to the airport. Workmans, the airport shuttle which operates exclusively within The Villages has a direct pick up of passengers from one of two depots (Brownwood and Sumter). This shuttle service takes you directly to the airport and has a designated docking station on the lower level of the airport upon its arrival. It does not pick you up from your front door and it does not drop you off at your designated airline, but it is operated professionally and timely without abrupt changes to your scheduled departing time when you book. The other shuttle service is known as Village Airport Van, very different from the one operated by The Villages. This shuttle service typically picks you up at your home and will deliver you back to your home upon your return trip when booked accordingly. While both serve a needed service for airport travelers, this particular shuttle service has quite a few inconvenient flaws with regards to their scheduling. There is the real and recurring issue of changing your pickup time at the last minute and perhaps, in my case changing it three times to my annoyance. Then there is the obvious annoyance of how many stops are made before finally departing for the airport. And, don’t let me forget about how many stops before departing for airport are made where individuals take up as much as five to ten minutes before they enter the Van. Now this service, in spite of its convenience for some, is not for all and people should know the facts and difference between the two. Just know that if you require or don’t mind not knowing exactly when you will arrive at the airport, then this service is definitely for you. But for those of us who want to be assured of a departure and arrival airport time should not choose this Van, and if you should decide it is for you, do not get yourself twisted in knots when you know how different the two services operate. Consider yourself forewarned.

Good summary, you list the reasons we no longer use the Van service. Also, it should be noted that Workman will arrange a reliable taxi service for home pick up/drop off from their terminals if needed.

[Happinow]

If I may add……..the “bus” type transportations is called Workman Transportation….formally The Villages Transportation. They were bought out. This service is a large white bus like transporter that has “Workman Transportation” on the side of it. For an extra fee, You may schedule to have a home pick up/drop off scheduled with them. You will be picked up by a van with a different driver than the “bus driver” and then taken to either Brownwood Hotel or Sumter Landing (designated pick up places) where the Bus will take you to the airport from there. The bus takes you directly to the airport….Terminal and and B. They run on time and very efficiently. The busses are clean and comfortable.

The Village Airport Van is completely different. It is a van with a yellow stripe down the side of it and picks you up and drops you off at your home. There are many down sides to this company.
1. You are packed in like sardines in a very uncomfortable, unkept older van.
2. You have to endure riding all over creation to pick up or drop off other people.
3. Some people aren’t even ready when picked up….you have to sit in the van and wait for them.
4. You could be an hour plus EXTRA from the time it takes the Van to get back to the villages to get dropped off back to your house. So if it takes 1.5 hours to get back to The Villages from MCO, you could be 2.5 hours getting home.
5. If there are people in the van that are chatty…..you get to listen to them practically talking in your ear all the way on the ride.

Hope that clears up the difference between Workman Transportation and Village Airport Van.

[Gpsma]

Simple solution...hire one of the private drivers that do the airports.

[mixsonci]

What about Groome, what are peoples experiences with them? Just saw their van pass my house the other day.

[Villageswimmer]

System won’t allow me to quote post #4...but...
That might be a solution but these private car drivers come and go. So do their reviews.

Is there a way to find names, contact info, ratings of those currently operating?

Not long ago Creative Concierge was the greatest. Recently, though, I’ve read some horrible reviews for them.

[Retiring]

I used Groome one time, about 3 months ago. The experience was a good one. I will use them again.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer

System won’t allow me to quote post #4...but...
That might be a solution but these private car drivers come and go. So do their reviews.

Is there a way to find names, contact info, ratings of those currently operating?

Not long ago Creative Concierge was the greatest. Recently, though, I’ve read some horrible reviews for them.

I had trouble quoting a post too. Wonder if we have a bug in here?

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I had trouble quoting a post too. Wonder if we have a bug in here?

I have issues with replying to PM's.
Might take four or five tries, including signing off.
Site has issues.

[B-flat]

Great summaries of both Villages Airport Van and Workman’s. I’ve used both but no longer use Villages Airport Van, I hated taking a tour of the Villages. On one trip it took and hour and 10 minutes just to leave TV property. Workman’s is great. The best way for me is to use a private driver to on the way to the airport because it’s usually an early morning pick up. On the return I’ve used Workman’s with a LSL drop off. Workman’s coaches are always clean and comfortable. A set of earbuds connected to my iPhone usually turns off an overly talkative passenger.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Originally Posted by mixsonci

What about Groome, what are peoples experiences with them? Just saw their van pass my house the other day.

Haven't used Groome since before the pandemic, but they were priced below the competition, reliable and on time.

[lindaelane]

Capri Transportation is $70 (plus tip) - private transfer, price is for whole party whether there is one, two or several in your party - Since it is private they pick up at your house (or airport) and take you straight to your destination - home or airport - without stops. I had a great experience with them. Groome would have been $35 and would have had me waiting over an extra hour at the airport both arriving and departing, but they probably would have been fine. I think Workman's is not good value for money compared to Groome, but Capri was by far the best value for money, despite being the highest of the "usable service" (Village Van is not "usable" imho)

[b0bd0herty]

Well said Sir. I see absolutely nothing to argue with over your comments and how you laid them out. I remember when "news" organizations used to report on things using this objective type of reporting.

Thank you for this information.

[Ptmckiou]

Workmans does advertise on their website that they also have private car service, door to door, with luxury sedans and SUV’s. We are going to use that service on our upcoming trip in June.

[H.Pearl]

Thank you for the clarification, very helpful.