Study Reveals Ground Transportation Usage Patterns and Perceptions In The Business Travel Industry

One in Four Companies Do Not Allow Travelers to Use Ride-Sharing Providers

Orlando, FL – July 28, 2015 – Rental cars (36 percent) and taxis (24 percent) are the most commonly used methods of ground transportation for business trips followed by chauffeured transportation (13 percent) and ride-sharing companies (11 percent) according to a new study from the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association.

This new study will be discussed in a panel session today on the future of ground transportation in a sharing economy at GBTA Convention 2015. It will feature perceptions from business travelers and travel buyers to understand how the changing environment of ground transportation has affected traveler decisions and corporate travel policy.

“Our research shows one in four (24 percent) travel buyers say their company does not allow their business travelers to use ride-sharing companies, by far the highest percentage for any form of ground transportation,” said GBTA Executive Director and COO Michael W. McCormick. “In addition, a large number of companies still have not adopted policies around ride-sharing companies, revealing a need for education about the benefits and the risks. GBTA hopes this study is the start to closing that knowledge gap and we welcome an open and constructive dialogue on this topic.”

The 2015 Ground Transportation Study, sponsored by Dav El/Boston Coach Chauffeured Transportation Network and Empire CLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services, also identified the most important factors business travelers and travel buyers consider when choosing ground transportation. Topping the list was traveler and vehicle safety, availability for a timely pick-up and convenience of payments methods with three-quarters of business travelers and eight in ten travel buyers calling these factors highly important.

While safety of travelers was paramount, awareness of specific aspects of duty of care is not universal. Only about one-third of business travelers are at least somewhat familiar with all aspects such as pre-employment driver certification, driver training requirements, and regulations affecting each ground transportation method. Travel buyers are more familiar with most of the duty of care aspects than business travelers, but less than a quarter are very familiar with all of them showing education is necessary to inform them of the differences between ground transportation methods.

“Undoubtedly, there is significant market controversy around ride sharing and we felt it was important to have impartial research to create awareness in the industry,” said David Seelinger, Chairman and CEO, EmpireCLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services.

“In customer dealings, we find that duty of care is such a critical issue that we needed research that will help us better understand the impact of ride sharing on buyers and their corporations,” said Scott Solombrino, President & CEO, Dav El/Boston Coach Chauffeured Transportation Network.

The study, 2015 Ground Transportation Study: Perceptions of Travel Managers and Business Travelers in this Changing Industry, is available exclusively to GBTA members by clicking here and non-members may purchase the report through the GBTA Foundation by emailing [email protected]

CONTACT: Colleen Gallagher, +1 703-236-1133, [email protected]
Scott Gerber, +1 202-463-0067, [email protected]

Sobre a Fundação GBTA

A GBTA Foundation é a fundação de educação e pesquisa da Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), a principal organização comercial de viagens de negócios e reuniões do mundo, com sede na área de Washington, DC, com operações em seis continentes. Coletivamente, os mais de 7.000 membros do GBTA gerenciam mais de $345 bilhões de despesas globais com viagens e reuniões de negócios anualmente. A GBTA fornece à sua crescente rede de mais de 28.000 profissionais de viagens e 125.000 contatos ativos com educação, eventos, pesquisa, advocacia e mídia de classe mundial. A Fundação foi criada em 1997 para apoiar os membros da GBTA e a indústria como um todo. Como a principal fundação de educação e pesquisa no setor de viagens de negócios, a GBTA Foundation busca financiar iniciativas para promover a profissão de viagens de negócios. A Fundação GBTA é uma organização sem fins lucrativos 501(c)(3). Para obter mais informações, consulte www.gbta.org e www.gbta.org/foundation.

Sobre a Global Business Travel Association
A Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) é a principal organização comercial de viagens de negócios e reuniões do mundo, com sede na área de Washington, DC, com operações em seis continentes. Os mais de 9.000 membros do GBTA gerenciam mais de $345 bilhões de despesas globais com viagens e reuniões de negócios anualmente. GBTA e a Fundação GBTA oferecem educação, eventos, pesquisa, advocacia e mídia de classe mundial para uma rede global crescente de mais de 28.000 profissionais de viagens e 125.000 contatos ativos. Para saber como as viagens de negócios impulsionam o crescimento duradouro dos negócios, gbta.org