Workman Cancels Airport Shuttles

[MisterZ]

Workman Cancels Airport Shuttles. View their announcement letter at: Log into Facebook | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1333728224079111/permalink/1426415814810351/)

[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 (http://www.GroomeTransportation.com/the-villages). 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 (http://www.WorkmanTravel.com).

[villagetinker]

I do not use Facebook (security concerns) so for others that share my concerns:

Here is the link to the workman site:
Shuttle Booking | Workman Transportation (https://workmantransportation.com/shuttle-booking/)

It appears this airport shuttle will now be through Groome.

[Babubhat]

Not cancelled. Assumed by Groome. Same price and schedule. Direct service from Brownwood and Lsl

Hope it doesn’t mean smaller vehicles.

What happens to the free rides accumulated?

[Pairadocs]

[QUOTE=villagetinker;2251685]I do not use Facebook (security concerns) so for others that share my concerns:

For what it's worth, just the opinion of one person, I have been EXTREMELY pleased with my experiences with Groome. Have also used them when we lived in other areas of Florida, same experience, very pleased. Hope it stays consistent.

[asianthree]

Groom had better late and early schedule, and if your plane was late with workman you were left behind. So monopoly on MCO ride. Groome does have smaller units but have never had more than 6 people

[Stu from NYC]

Thinking of using them for a ride to Orlando in a few months. Do not like the idea of being left behind so would not use them for a late flight back home.

[Hape2Bhr]

Groom had better late and early schedule, and if your plane was late with workman you were left behind. So monopoly on MCO ride. Groome does have smaller units but have never had more than 6 people

I used Groome in June for a 1am pickup. There was one other customer that had been picked up prior from outside TV's. It may have been an eight or so passenger van. They may need larger vehicles (and more comfortable) if they assume all of Workmans clients. I have also used Workmans and private car service in the past.

[KAM+6]

Groom gives door pickup and delivery. Newer vans, 6 max persons. I have always been very pleased with their service. Also, they have "van tracker" so you can see how close they are when coming to pick you up.
$40 door to door, please tip.

[Babubhat]

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

Direct service like workman still available

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I do not use Facebook (security concerns) so for others that share my concerns:


There are so many security concerns,
Facebook,
LinkedIn,
etc. . that i don't have accounts as well.

Zuckerburg doesn't appear to be an upstanding person to me

[tophcfa]

Bummer, we have been using Workman (formerly Village’s Transportation) for many years. Hopefully Groome will be as good as Workman has over the years and continue direct service from LSL with only one stop at Brownwood and also continue to have the home shuttle service between our home to the LSL terminal.

[Bogie Shooter]

Bummer, we have been using Workman (formerly Village’s Transportation) for many years. Hopefully Groome will be as good as Workman has over the years and continue direct service from LSL with only one stop at Brownwood and also continue to have the home shuttle service between our home to the LSL terminal.

Go to their site it’s all there, including free parking at the Brownwood departure site.

[tophcfa]

\\\\\

[JGibson]

Groom has both express and door-to-door for $40.

We need a major Airport in Ocala, Orlando is too far and too crowded.

[crash]

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 (http://www.GroomeTransportation.com/the-villages). 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 (http://www.WorkmanTravel.com).

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Workman Cancels Airport Shuttles. View their announcement letter at: Log into Facebook | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1333728224079111/permalink/1426415814810351/)

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]

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]

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.

[Bogie Shooter]

The busses will still be there..repainted.

I doubt they will continue to use those big vans for shuttle purposes.

[Babubhat]

Half hour on hold for customer service and still no answer. Not good

[Bogie Shooter]

The busses will still be there..repainted.

Half hour on hold for customer service and still no answer. Not good

Probably not getting many calls with the announcement. I would expect they would be busy.

[Keefelane66]

I’m not a fan of decreased competition

[Babubhat]

Current update.

The direct route is running the Workman branded large bus as before.

One hour on hold with no response is not acceptable under any circumstances

[affald]

There are so many security concerns,
Facebook,
LinkedIn,
etc. . that i don't have accounts as well.

Zuckerburg doesn't appear to be an upstanding person to me

Zuckerbucks buys evil.

[JEM0715]

Many DO NOT REALIZE, that Groome called their booked clients traveling for this past Tuesday(8/29) & Wednesday(8/30) on Monday evening notifying that they were canceling reservations because they were shutting down during the hurricane. I understand about Wednesday morning because of the expected weather, BUT Tuesday afternoon and evening when nothing was expected yet? They left hundreds stranded having to look for rides home on Tuesday for themselves or family members coming in for the holiday. So what happens next time, is this how their going to operate? There was no bad weather on Tuesday, but they canceled those riders trips. Not good! I'll stick with Dave's Airport Transportation private car service. They are licensed and commercially insured and have 21 vehicles. They picked up my sister +4 and her plane was 2+ hours late Tuesday night and didn't arrive until 11:10pm, and their car was there upon arrival. Give them a call, communication between their clients is second to none. 352-223-4696

[firefighter4u]

While I'm not a fan of less competition, we have used Groome twice in the last few months and were very pleased with the service.

[gmdds]

Workman Airport Transportation Problems!!!

For those of us who had credits with Workman…good luck. I just got off the phone with them, and apparently they’re trying to “wash their hands” of all of it. They said they had turned all that over to Groome, and Groome would be honoring those credits. They said my issue would be with Groome, as they had sold everything to Groome. I said I had called Groome, and that Groome wasn’t honoring, or knew of, any such credits. Therefore, my issue is with Workman, as it was Workman who I had contracted with, had paid, and had earned credits with.

[justjim]

Groom has both express and door-to-door for $40.

We need a major Airport in Ocala, Orlando is too far and too crowded.

The Villages continues to build south toward Orlando and Tampa and not north toward Ocala. A major airport in Ocala seems a very “long shot” at best. Better service by Groom or another company to Orlando Sanford airport would be helpful. More destinations out of Sanford would be helpful too.

[gmdds]

As an update…just got a call from a Workman (manager/owner?), from phone 407-947-0158. He basically said that yes, those that had earned credits with them we out of luck, as they were going to do nothing to honor them.

[Bilyclub]

As an update…just got a call from a Workman (manager/owner?), from phone 407-947-0158. He basically said that yes, those that had earned credits with them we out of luck, as they were going to do nothing to honor them.

I thought they were still running the bus excursions/day trips. They did not declare bankruptcy so if I was affected there would be some calls made to Seniors versus Crime and the Florida Attorney General. I would think they are also regulated by a state agency

[kkingston57]

Groom had better late and early schedule, and if your plane was late with workman you were left behind. So monopoly on MCO ride. Groome does have smaller units but have never had more than 6 people

Do not use anyone. Live in Spanish Springs. Less than 90 minutes to off site parking, $8-$10 a day to park. No waiting when we get back to Orlando(we fly to the west a lot and planes come in late). No necessity of having to get to drop off and pick up spot.

[Bill14564]

I thought they were still running the bus excursions/day trips. They did not declare bankruptcy so if I was affected there would be some calls made to Seniors versus Crime and the Florida Attorney General. I would think they are also regulated by a state agency

why would it be considered a crime If a company cannot honor a credit for a service they are no longer in the business of providing? They aren't refusing to give you credit on your next ride to the airport with them, they simply no longer offer any rides to the airport at all.

[Babubhat]

///

[asianthree]

Do not use anyone. Live in Spanish Springs. Less than 90 minutes to off site parking, $8-$10 a day to park. No waiting when we get back to Orlando(we fly to the west a lot and planes come in late). No necessity of having to get to drop off and pick up spot.

Since I travel for 30 days or more at a Time, shuttle is very cheap

[David114]

Have used The Villages/Workman shuttle with great success since we moved here in 2016. Occasionally, flights have been delayed, missed our reserved shuttle, but waited for the next one & got on it with no problem. If we called customer service phone number about this, someone answered the phone.

Monday, our flight was delayed and we missed our 5:20 P.M. shuttle (not Groome’s fault). Promptly called Groome’s 24 hour number advertised as

For immediate assistance, please call (352) 539-9664 to speak with a representative.

One hour of listening to hold announcements encouraging us to update our reservation on the website which would not allow any changes to an “expired” reservation and nobody ever answered. Finally, we met the incoming Groome driver who said “after I complete my drop offs, I will be back at 7:15 and get you on”.

When he returned he was full and could not take us on, after all. Then we took a taxi to Brownwood at 7:30, $220 with tip. Could have done that at 5:30 if Groome just answered their customer service phone. Shuttle was good while it lasted but with the changeover to Groome, never again for us

[EdFNJ]

We need a major Airport in Ocala, Orlando is too far and too crowded.
That will come shortly after Costco and Trader Joes open here in TV although Maybe John Travolta will rent out the runway attached to his home in Ocala if he can get his two commercial size jets out of the way.

:pepper2::pepper2::pepper2:

[tophcfa]

why would it be considered a crime If a company cannot honor a credit for a service they are no longer in the business of providing? They aren't refusing to give you credit on your next ride to the airport with them, they simply no longer offer any rides to the airport at all.

Since they are still in business, but sold off the part of their business they gave out the credits for, they should have done one of two things. Either made honoring the credits a sale contingency to the buyer, or paid the cash value of the credits to the credit holders. There is a right and wrong way to business, and since they are still in the business of providing services to Villagers, they should take the high road.