[crash]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

Workman Transportation and Groome Transportation announced August 31, 2023 that Groome will be the sole provider of Express Depot transfers to and from Orlando Airport for the residents and visitors of the Villages®.

As a passenger transportation company, Groome will remain dedicated to prioritizing the well-being and satisfaction of our customers. With Groome Transportation, passengers can rest assured that their journey will not only be seamless and enjoyable but also safe and secure at all times. For more information about Groome Transportation, please visit their newly designed website at The Villages Airport Transportation - Groome Transportation. Get connected with Groome through their social media channels or subscribe to their newsletter to receive the latest updates.

It’s been an honor to serve the community with our Airport Shuttle for the last ten years and we are proud to say we will continue to provide Day-Trips, Multi-Day Trips, and Private Group Charter Service to and from the area with our Workman brand at Workman Transportation & Travel.

Kind of wondering why is Workman happy to announce they are no longer providing the shuttle to the airport and is Groome going to be providing scheduled regular service?

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

One thousand percent no to to door to door. Don’t need a tour of tv

Direct service like workman still available

Depends where you live, we are lucky enough to live in the south so we are last to get picked up and first to be dropped off!

[BlueStarAirlines]

Originally Posted by crash

Kind of wondering why is Workman happy to announce they are no longer providing the shuttle to the airport and is Groome going to be providing scheduled regular service?

Just speculation on my part, but they have the contract to bus kids from the old charter school to Middleton. That plus the work they are retaining (day trips, multi-night trips) will probably keep them busy. Having talked to one of their drivers on an airport ride, its difficult to find people who want to drive a bus to Orlando 3-4 times a shift. So, not sure if staffing was an issue but its Groome's issue now.

We'll give Groome a try, but being packed in a van after being packed in a plane doesn't sound like its something I'd enjoy. Those Workman busses will be missed.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by crash

Kind of wondering why is Workman happy to announce they are no longer providing the shuttle to the airport and is Groome going to be providing scheduled regular service?

Did you see smiling faces on the news for the announcement? Because we used them, we got announcement, by email couple of days ago. Standard announcement that Groome was taking over as the only MCO business. They both were competing for MCO and day/trips, maybe there just wasn’t enough business for two companies,

The email continues that Workman will continue do schedule, day and multi day trips, as well as contracted private events, No smiling or dancing emojis.
So at a loss as top why you think the public announcement had “happy” in the announcement?

[Babubhat]

Wonder what happens with all the workman vehicles. Day trips won’t fill them

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Wonder what happens with all the workman vehicles. Day trips won’t fill them

Groome parking was at corner of Powell. During shutdown, they had more than 50 parked. All the same size.

Since Groome is a chain/franchise comparison to Workman, that is private owner purchasing from developer. in the beginning some of their shuttles had issues, with AC. New vehicles added, but no idea where their holding area is, but would guess Workmen has less vehicles, but many are full size travel buses with a few small units

[mikeycereal]

Very disappointed about Workman canceling that shuttle service route. I was concerned the few times I rode them to and from the airport that I was the only one on it or there were only a few using it. My experience with Groome was positive so hoping for more of the same good service.

[virtue51]

I made reservation with Workman for next month -- leave from Brownwood and pick-up at my home for an additional $15. I called Groome and they indicated that the same service will be offered -- drivers and vehicles are the same and the schedule is the same. I always used Workman and was pleased with the service -- hopefully Groome will provide the same.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by virtue51

I made reservation with Workman for next month -- leave from Brownwood and pick-up at my home for an additional $15.

Hopefully Groome will continue the service Workman offered between Villager’s homes and the two terminals for the $15 up charge. We used that service frequently and would be very disappointed if that was discontinued. We REALLY hate the shared shuttle service that takes a prolonged tour throughout the Villages picking up and dropping off several other travelers. That is exactly why we stopped using the Village’s Airport Van service.

[bjtraut52]

Groome needs to look into service to and from TPA. The airport has cheaper flights, less congestion, and only 19 miles (15 min)further from the villages.

[Escape Artist]

Originally Posted by MisterZ

Workman Cancels Airport Shuttles. View their announcement letter at: Log into Facebook | Facebook

I received an email about this from Workman yesterday and was surprised no one had started a forum thread yet. I’ve used both services and prefer Workman as I’ve had issues with Groome. I’m sorry to see this happen as elimination of competition is not good news for the consumer.

[paulajr]

Originally Posted by BlueStarAirlines

Just speculation on my part, but they have the contract to bus kids from the old charter school to Middleton. That plus the work they are retaining (day trips, multi-night trips) will probably keep them busy. Having talked to one of their drivers on an airport ride, its difficult to find people who want to drive a bus to Orlando 3-4 times a shift. So, not sure if staffing was an issue but its Groome's issue now.

We'll give Groome a try, but being packed in a van after being packed in a plane doesn't sound like it’s something I'd enjoy. Those Workman busses will be missed.

The busses will still be there..repainted.

[Mimimezz]

How about the Leesburg airport? There was talk 15 years ago that it was going to be a major airport so we didn’t need Orlando or Tampa!!! Guess it was only a rumor!

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Mimimezz

How about the Leesburg airport? There was talk 15 years ago that it was going to be a major airport so we didn’t need Orlando or Tampa!!! Guess it was only a rumor!

Ya think?

[ThirdOfFive]

We've used Workman many times for transportation to/from MCO, and have been satisfied with the service in all respects. I have no reason to believe that Groome will not be equally good.

But does this mean that Groome is now the only game in town (other than the private shuttles which are pretty high-buck) for airport transportation? Lack of competition can mean that there is really no penalty for possible shoddy service, and of course if the inevitable happens and prices go up, there won't be a lower-priced alternative to turn to.

Time will tell, I suppose.