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View Full Version : Change to Groome Door to Door Services


GpaVader
06-04-2024, 11:21 AM
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.

NYcarrie
06-04-2024, 11:41 AM
I had a similar experience. I have used them for years when visiting my parents and always raved about the service. I recommended them to my brother and nephew to go back to Orlando airport last month and it was an hour and a half to get to the express pick up/drop off in Sumter Landing. Then another almost two hours to get to airport and my brother said they packed luggage and people into the van like sardines and a lot of people were upset. I sent a detailed response email to Groome to let them know what happened. Unfortunately, I never heard back from them (it's been a few weeks) and therefore I will not be recommending or using them again. Also we live north of 466.

thelegges
06-04-2024, 12:28 PM
Any guesses that Target area of TV is getting too large for home pickup/ drop off?

Is the express still at LSL and Brownwood? Still shows both on website

Rainger99
06-04-2024, 01:00 PM
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.

There is nothing about this on their website. When did it go into effect?

Stu from NYC
06-04-2024, 01:29 PM
Hmm a neighbor tells me he will be picked up tomorrow morning and taken directly to airport.

tophcfa
06-04-2024, 01:40 PM
My wife was told the same thing by a driver a few weeks ago. If you live south of 466 you have two options, take the home pick up service in a crowded van making several stops or find a way to get yourself to either the LSL or Brownwood terminal for the express service. Those living north of 466 can still get a home pickup ride to the LSL express terminal for an additional fee. The change makes sense because those living north of 466 are always the first picked up and last dropped off with the door to door van service. Living north of 466 the change is OK for us, but it definitely sucks for those living between 466 and 466A who will have very long rides on a crowded van.

GpaVader
06-04-2024, 01:51 PM
The driver said that's what will happen, he didn't give any dates, so my guess is that they are taking care of the reservations they accepted before this. Interestingly a couple riding with us said that they had to be picked up and were brought to Brownwood...

As for the crowded van comment, I've only ridden on it a couple of times when it was at capacity. My last trip to MCO last Friday was full but I would not call it crowded. I still had more room than I did on the full flights I was booked on....

Rainger99
06-04-2024, 03:45 PM
According to their website, they have two options. One is going to one of their pickup points (SS, LSL, Brownwood) for $40 and getting the van there.

The second choice is Residential Door-to-Door Service from your house to the airport for $45.

tophcfa
06-04-2024, 04:48 PM
According to their website, they have two options. One is going to one of their pickup points (SS, LSL, Brownwood) for $40 and getting the van there.

The second choice is Residential Door-to-Door Service from your house to the airport for $45.

The difference with their new policy is regarding getting to/from SS, LSL, or the Brownwood terminal for the express service. All Villagers used to be able to pay an additional fee and get picked up/dropped off between their home and the terminal closest to their home. That service is now only available for residents north of 466 to/from the LSL terminal. The logic is that the northern residents are the furthest from the airport, and since the Villages has grown so big, those residents had to go on a seemingly endless ride through the entire Villages after getting picked up or before getting dropped off using the residential door to door service. Residents further south can still use the residential door to door service if they don’t have a ride to a terminal for the express service.

PGApromike
06-05-2024, 05:13 AM
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.

Laker14
06-05-2024, 05:25 AM
I used the door-to-door service when it was still available, back in October. I was going to MCO. After an hour of sitting in a cramped seat in a van, I was still in The Villages, going "door-to-door". After 2 hours, and finally arriving at the airport terminal, of being cramped in that seat, I literally could barely walk when I got out of the van.

Upon my return I took the transport to LSL and someone picked me up there. Not too bad since it was in the afternoon. However, if you are using Groome to take you to the airport, and you need to get to the pick-up depot, you might need a ride to the pick-up spot at 3AM. Not many of us want to bother a friend to drive us somewhere at 3 AM.

KatieBon
06-05-2024, 05:45 AM
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 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.

Robojo
06-05-2024, 05:57 AM
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.

Kind of unrelated but still related. I OFFER PET CARE TO PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH VILLAGES.

Villagesgal
06-05-2024, 06:15 AM
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.

Stu from NYC
06-05-2024, 07:37 AM
Kind of unrelated but still related. I OFFER PET CARE TO PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH VILLAGES.

Kind of unrelated?

DONNIEBRONX
06-05-2024, 07:59 AM
Back to TV airport van

Lea N
06-05-2024, 08:27 AM
Is it under new management? New owners possibly?

ThirdOfFive
06-05-2024, 08:39 AM
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
06-05-2024, 08:42 AM
What is the cost of the VAV, may I ask? TIA.

Tustin714
06-05-2024, 09:00 AM
What is the cost of the VAV, may I ask? TIA.

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

tophcfa
06-05-2024, 09:15 AM
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
06-05-2024, 09:23 AM
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
06-05-2024, 09:49 AM
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
06-05-2024, 10:10 AM
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
06-05-2024, 10:34 AM
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
06-05-2024, 12:11 PM
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
06-05-2024, 12:44 PM
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
06-05-2024, 12:46 PM
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
06-05-2024, 12:47 PM
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
06-05-2024, 03:40 PM
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...

asianthree
06-05-2024, 04:18 PM
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

Add app to your phone, walk out hit app what size car you need amount of people and luggage. A car will be available in minutes, give you a description of auto and driver. Good news is drivers don’t know where you are going until you load in. Have never had an issue getting ride even in late hours from MCO.

From TV, not going to be anything available.

Salty Dog
06-06-2024, 12:19 AM
I just rented a car in May that I picked up the day before and then turned it in at the airport. It cost me $60 for a Hybrid SUV. Bought gas on way to the airport right off of 528. Only took about 2 gallons to fill it back up. The tolls were a few dollars using a portable SunPass Pro that can be attached and removed with attached suction cups. I was taking the train from Terminal C and it was a very short walk from the rental car drop-off. On my return a month later, I rented another car, but had to pay a one way drop-off fee so the cost was $90.

Rainger99
06-06-2024, 03:58 AM
I just rented a car in May that I picked up the day before and then turned it in at the airport. It cost me $60 for a Hybrid SUV. Bought gas on way to the airport right off of 528. Only took about 2 gallons to fill it back up. The tolls were a few dollars using a portable SunPass Pro that can be attached and removed with attached suction cups. I was taking the train from Terminal C and it was a very short walk from the rental car drop-off. On my return a month later, I rented another car, but had to pay a one way drop-off fee so the cost was $90.

Where did you rent it? And what was the company? Hertz, Avis??

KatieBon
06-06-2024, 05:43 AM
Groome now runs 24/7...
Good to know! But if I can't count on their office to answer the phone in the middle of the night when I'm dealing with flight delays, etc., they still don't get my business.

sjeffries
06-06-2024, 06:03 AM
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.

Additionally, they drop you off at the express depot an hour before the bus to the airport arrives. Terrible news and service.
I got a nice neighbor to take me to the bus depot, and she picked me up at the end of my trip. Love my sweet neighbor!

KsJayhawkers
06-06-2024, 07:26 AM
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?

The system chooses the depot closest to your inputted address.

KsJayhawkers
06-06-2024, 08:16 AM
That’s so funny seeing how their headquarters is located south of 466

Groome's TV office is located at 761 Hoopfer Way in an industrial area off Rolling Acres Road....NORTH of 466.

tophcfa
06-06-2024, 08:19 AM
The system chooses the depot closest to your inputted address.

The system must have been updated in the last month or so.

KsJayhawkers
06-06-2024, 08:28 AM
Good to know! But if I can't count on their office to answer the phone in the middle of the night when I'm dealing with flight delays, etc., they still don't get my business.

Groome has 24/7 dispatching and a new call system routing your call based on your needs. They transport between 4,000-9,000 passengers to/from MCO every month. If you can imagine the influx of incoming phone calls to a dispatch center when passengers get delayed on a flight, you may be in a queue for a bit. For any reservation, you can ALWAYS go to your designated pick up spot before or after your initial reservation time and see if there are spaces available on that bus. If you miss your original time slot, the driver logs you as a NO SHOW and you will receive a text indicating such. It does not cancel your reservation and the next driver can easily pull up your reservation using your name, phone number, or reservation number. Getting on a early or later bus is not guaranteed to have open spots but it is worth the effort while you are waiting on your call to be answered by the call center.

Normal
06-06-2024, 09:25 AM
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

Just use Uber, way better than Groome

Tustin714
06-06-2024, 09:33 AM
I just rented a car in May that I picked up the day before and then turned it in at the airport. It cost me $60 for a Hybrid SUV.

I just checked Enterprise at LSL, and it was $193/day whether I chose to pick up in the morning and return a few hours later, pick up the day before the flight, or pick up 2 days before the flight. So any additional info you can provide is welcomed.

HogPilot
06-06-2024, 11:53 AM
Plus tip…?

According to their website, they have two options. One is going to one of their pickup points (SS, LSL, Brownwood) for $40 and getting the van there.

The second choice is Residential Door-to-Door Service from your house to the airport for $45.

Rainger99
06-06-2024, 12:51 PM
I just checked Enterprise at LSL, and it was $193/day whether I chose to pick up in the morning and return a few hours later, pick up the day before the flight, or pick up 2 days before the flight. So any additional info you can provide is welcomed.

I did a broader search and found nothing under $200 each way.

Mrprez
06-06-2024, 08:11 PM
I did a broader search and found nothing under $200 each way.

I checked a bunch too and found Avis had one way rentals to MCO for $65.

Villager1234
06-07-2024, 09:49 AM
I got stranded by groome door to door pick up. They didn't show up, kept hanging up the phone when I called. Then they would not refund my money. Uber $74 from orange blossom whether it's one or three people. Door to terminal

twoplanekid
08-09-2024, 02:57 PM
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 just purchased Village Airport Van. So, what should I do now as we have always used Village Airport Van?

Villager1234
08-09-2024, 03:35 PM
Groome left me stranded waiting for an airport ride
I almost missed my flight
I called Lyft
Groome refuses to give me a refund
They hang up phone when I call

Villager1234
08-09-2024, 03:39 PM
Book Uber in advance
They take flight number, monitor it and will contact you when your plane lands
My flight was delayed and they were there for me
If you have 2 people it's cheaper than bus

Normal
08-09-2024, 05:15 PM
Uber is the same price for us. But then it is me and my wife riding. They operate pretty much on demand though and give better service.

tophcfa
08-09-2024, 08:16 PM
Groome just purchased Village Airport Van. So, what should I do now as we have always used Village Airport Van?

That’s not good news. Competition is a wonderful thing. Without it who’s going to keep Groome in check. Looks like you’re going to either have to use Groome’s home pickup service or hire a private driver.

Rainger99
08-09-2024, 08:20 PM
Groome just purchased Village Airport Van. So, what should I do now as we have always used Village Airport Van?

Competition usually keeps prices low. I see a jump in prices!