Travelers Reconsidering Shared Ride Options after COVID

Chicago-based global ground transportation provider, Go Group, says travelers are once again looking at shared airport transport as the way to go. The company surveyed air travelers earlier this year about their travel plans for the remainder of 2021 and found “not just our survey, but other industry reports, show that people are ready to fly again,” says John McCarthy, president of the GO Group. “Virtual meetings won’t end anytime soon. But we think businesses are ready to send their employees off to in-person meetings once again.”

Of the survey’s respondents, 84 percent said they plan on traveling for leisure and 31 percent for business. Of those leisure travelers who had already booked a vacation, 54 percent reported booking within three months of departure; 28 percent booked within three to six months of departure; 5 percent booked between six to nine months of departure; and 12 percent responded that they’d booked flights nine months out or more. 

“Additionally, we’re seeing a renewed interest in shared-ride airport transportation,” says McCarthy. According to GO’s most recent data, reservations for shared-ride shuttles doubled from April to May 2021. This indicates travelers are looking for lower-cost alternatives than ride-share companies, says McCarthy (with the ride-share companies being notorious for increased prices, especially during busier times and inclement weather, he adds). “In fact,” he says, “GO operators – whether giving shared rides, private vehicles, charters or tours – offer safe, reliable and affordable transportation services. They’re actually well-equipped to handle the anticipated increase in air travel.” 

The Go Group offers shared rides, private vehicles, charters and tours, serving airports and cities in the U.S., Canada,  Mexico, the Caribbean, Australia and Europe.