[DONNIEBRONX]

Back to TV airport van

[Lea N]

Is it under new management? New owners possibly?

[ThirdOfFive]

I recall the dire predictions that followed Groome's buyout of Workman Transportation airport services. For the most part they haven't come true. I've used them several times since and, except for one ride back to LSL from MCO on a totally stuffed van, there has been no problem. Always on time, with efficient drivers. My wife did have one misunderstanding with a driver coming back from MCO last week but that could be attributable to the fact that the driver was obviously new at his job. No real harm done.

We're bound to see glitches from time to time, and prices for services always go up. No one is pleased 100% of the time. But so far I have nothing to really complain about.

[mcpeters]

What is the cost of the VAV, may I ask? TIA.

[Tustin714]

Originally Posted by mcpeters

What is the cost of the VAV, may I ask? TIA.

I just made a reservation for 2 people, and it was $90.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by KatieBon

I just switched from Groome to Village Airport Van, because the last time I had a flight delay, I couldn't get anyone on the phone at Groome to confirm I could get on their last van of the evening. VAV runs 24/7 and they have excellent communication. I'll admit, their vans are not as comfortable as Groome, but they do have door to door service. They are also planning to split their base of operations so they can cover the North/South areas separately, thus shorter times picking everyone up. Not sure when that's going to happen.

Interesting, we used to use the Airport Van 8 or 9 years ago and it worked well for us. As the Villages grew, the experience progressively deteriorated for residents living in the more northern sections of the Villages and we stopped using them. We would definitely consider trying them again if they began offering separate services focused on more specific locations. When you know you’re going to be one of the first pickups or last drop offs it’s just not worth it.

[KsJayhawkers]

Originally Posted by GpaVader

I have been using Groome for my airport service since arriving 3 years ago. They have been reliable, easy to schedule and always kept me up to date on my trips, along with providing good service with great staff.

On my trip home with them on Monday, 6/3, we were informed that door to door service will no longer be available South of 466. Anyone living South of 466 will either need to take the Express service or for an additional $15, they will pick you up and bring you to the express service drop off nearest you.

Not happy with this and will likely be seeking another provider. Just a heads up.

I believe your driver gave you misinformation or you misunderstood. Groome has made a logistical change in their pickups/dropoffs for residents living NORTH of 466. Due to the numerous complaints of excessive time spent during pickups/dropoffs from residents NORTH of 466 and the continued southern expansion, Groome has ceased its Door-to-Door operations and now strictly offers Express Shuttle service to those residents NORTH of 466 in hopes of reducing travel time. Customers living NORTH of 466 can schedule a Groome van to pick up at their home, whom will then be taken to a local Express Shuttle depot (Spanish Springs or Lake Sumter Landing) and vise versa (Groome van from a Depot back to the customers home).

For those customers living south of 466, the Door-to-Door option as well as the Express Shuttle services are available. Hope this clarifies any confusion.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by KsJayhawkers

I believe your driver gave you misinformation or you misunderstood. Groome has made a logistical change in their pickups/dropoffs for residents living NORTH of 466. Due to the numerous complaints of excessive time spent during pickups/dropoffs from residents NORTH of 466 and the continued southern expansion, Groome has ceased its Door-to-Door operations and now strictly offers Express Shuttle service to those residents NORTH of 466 in hopes of reducing travel time. Customers living NORTH of 466 can schedule a Groome van to pick up at their home, whom will then be taken to a local Express Shuttle depot (Spanish Springs or Lake Sumter Landing) and vise versa (Groome van from a Depot back to the customers home).

For those customers living south of 466, the Door-to-Door option as well as the Express Shuttle services are available. Hope this clarifies any confusion.

Based on my understanding, your explanation of the new policy is accurate except for one thing. We were told that customers living north of 466 would only be dropped off or picked up at the LSL terminal. If you use the online system, it won’t give you the option to book a home pickup/dropoff from the SS terminal, only LSL. For us, it really doesn’t matter as our home is almost exactly between the two terminals, but it doesn’t make sense if your home is in the historic section? Since their website has struggled to incorporate the Villages services into their online system, which serves markets throughout the country, perhaps that’s just a glitch that needs to be worked out?

[xcaligirl]

Originally Posted by Villagesgal

Been using the Villages Airport Van since they first opened. I live north of 466 and can hardly wait fir them to split the Villages north and south. It can take 3 or more hours each way, but they run 24/7 and have excellent phone response even in the middle of the night. My last flight was diverted to Newfoundland for a medical emergency on board so was delayed over 4 hours and we landed in terminal C instead of A. They already knew about it and we're picking me up there after midnight. I call that excellent service. Yes, it can take a long time to get there or home, but they are and have always been very reliable. Great company to deal with.

Very nice to hear how you received excellent service from them. My husband will only use their service, I've been burned once and went to another service. Now that they've gotten too big for airport transfers, I think I'll be going back to Village Van. Thanks for posting!

[flash4353]

Originally Posted by GpaVader

I have been using Groome for my airport service since arriving 3 years ago. They have been reliable, easy to schedule and always kept me up to date on my trips, along with providing good service with great staff.

On my trip home with them on Monday, 6/3, we were informed that door to door service will no longer be available South of 466. Anyone living South of 466 will either need to take the Express service or for an additional $15, they will pick you up and bring you to the express service drop off nearest you.

Not happy with this and will likely be seeking another provider. Just a heads up.

After reading your post I contacted Groom to confirm our home pickup on June 13th and return on the 18th. I told them about your post and they said this was the first they had heard of it and confirmed our home pickup and drop off. They further stated they do not do home pickups NORTH of 466. Please check your data.

[jmpate]

Originally Posted by PGApromike

We use Uber whenever there are 2 people or more. I also compare parking to number of days gone to decide if easier and more cost effective to drive. Cost is $90 one way for Uber(cheaper 3 or more sharing cost). There is no wait time, door to door service, regardless of where you live in The Villages.

Interested in your use of UBER to/from Orlando Airport.....do you have to reserve your transportation and how do you arrange your pick up at Orlando? Flights are often late + baggage pick up. Thanks

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by GpaVader

I have been using Groome for my airport service since arriving 3 years ago. They have been reliable, easy to schedule and always kept me up to date on my trips, along with providing good service with great staff.

On my trip home with them on Monday, 6/3, we were informed that door to door service will no longer be available South of 466. Anyone living South of 466 will either need to take the Express service or for an additional $15, they will pick you up and bring you to the express service drop off nearest you.

Not happy with this and will likely be seeking another provider. Just a heads up.

That’s so funny seeing how their headquarters is located south of 466

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by jmpate

Interested in your use of UBER to/from Orlando Airport.....do you have to reserve your transportation and how do you arrange your pick up at Orlando? Flights are often late + baggage pick up. Thanks

There are always Uber and Lyft drivers waiting at the airport
Unless you are arriving very late, no need to pay extra for a reservation

[taylormade59]

Originally Posted by GpaVader

I have been using Groome for my airport service since arriving 3 years ago. They have been reliable, easy to schedule and always kept me up to date on my trips, along with providing good service with great staff.

On my trip home with them on Monday, 6/3, we were informed that door to door service will no longer be available South of 466. Anyone living South of 466 will either need to take the Express service or for an additional $15, they will pick you up and bring you to the express service drop off nearest you.

Not happy with this and will likely be seeking another provider. Just a heads up.

I just booked Groome with home pick up for late June and I live in Citrus Grove, south of 44. You may have been misinformed on the new policy may not be in place yet.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by KatieBon

I just switched from Groome to Village Airport Van, because the last time I had a flight delay, I couldn't get anyone on the phone at Groome to confirm I could get on their last van of the evening. VAV runs 24/7 and they have excellent communication. I'll admit, their vans are not as comfortable as Groome, but they do have door to door service. They are also planning to split their base of operations so they can cover the North/South areas separately, thus shorter times picking everyone up. Not sure when that's going to happen.

Groome now runs 24/7...