6.3 Ground Transportation

6.3.1 The Role of Ground Transportation in the Hospitality Industry

Ground transportation [KT] refers to moving guests and goods along the ground. The most common types of ground transportation are vehicles, shuttles, buses, and rail. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) serves as the main regulatory body of ground transportation systems. NHTSA helps to set vehicle safety standards by conducting crash testing and performing other safety and quality assessments. They also regulate fuel efficiency. The road network in the United States is the largest in the world. There are 4.1 million miles of roads in the United States (Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2022). How and when guests select to travel by roadway depends on their personal preferences, availability, and price.

6.3.2 Types of Ground Transportation

6.3.2.1 Rental Vehicles

Rental vehicles comprise cars, trucks, or light freight vehicles that individuals can rent for temporary use. Rentals typically charge per-day and per-mile fees or they might charge a daily rate plus a set fee per mile over a certain number of miles for the duration of the rental. The individual renting the car pays for all fuel but does not pay for any vehicle maintenance. To rent a car, the individual also must have proof of insurance to cover damage and liability on the vehicle. Rental companies may also charge a secondary insurance fee to add additional protection to the vehicle. Car rentals provide a short-term option for people who are temporarily without personal transportation. Their vehicle may be out of commission or they might have traveled to a tourist destination without a personal vehicle and need access to a car to explore the destination. Popular rental companies include Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget. Rental car companies generally have their fleets at common connectivity hubs [KT] like airports and train stations.

Guests who select this mode of transportation often seek convenience and accessibility. Renting a personal vehicle frees guests to travel at their leisure. They do not need to accommodate set bus or train schedules or wait for taxis or rideshares. They can come and go as they please. Rental cars also prove convenient for those who need to make multiple stops during the day, like those traveling for business meetings at various locations throughout a city. Accessibility proves another key factor for individuals selecting this mode of transportation. For example, when public transportation options are limited or unavailable, such as in rural destinations, rental cars might prove the only real option for visitors who need to travel around their destination. For those operating rental cars, traffic congestion and difficulties with parking can prove unpleasant enough to impact traveler satisfaction. Such issues, common in major cities, can be improved through infrastructure planning, leading to a better tourism experience.

6.3.2.2 Taxis

Taxis provide another vehicle choice for tourists, enabling guests to hire a driver and car to transport them from one area to another. Taxis may only be readily available in cities and regulations can sometimes limit the driver to the boundaries of a given city or town. Guests pay per mile or for the time a taxi ride takes and typically do not know the total cost up front. Renting or “hailing” a taxi usually involves going to a taxi stand, i.e., a place where taxis queue for pick up at an airport, bus/train station, or in front of major hotels or tourist destinations. Additionally, most taxi companies also have a phone reservation system, or guests can hail a moving cab by signaling to the driver that they need a ride. Taxis are often regulated by city or local governments to ensure safety and fairness and must display their registration information to all guests for safety and transparency.

Guests who select this transportation option often appreciate the accessibility. Taxis provide door-to-door transportation. Therefore, they eliminate the need to find parking and facilitate travel for individuals with mobility issues or heavy luggage. Unknown total cost or difficulty finding a taxi might preclude this option for some travelers to certain destinations.

6.3.2.3 Ride-sharing Services

Ride-sharing services [KT] are relatively new to the hospitality industry. In this model, a private person, in their private vehicle, signs up to drive for a licensed company. The company then uses an app to link riders with drivers for a set fee. Guests can select their pick-up and drop-off location and the size of vehicle that they want. The app then shows them the available options in their area, the price of the ride, and the estimated pick-up time. Popular ride-share companies include Uber and Lyft.

Guests often select this mode of transportation because they are drawn to the convenience and upfront pricing model. Since the guest selects their pickup location, they do not need to find a taxi stand or a bus stop. They receive door-to-door service, which is convenient for those with mobility issues or those new to an area where navigating may be difficult. The upfront pricing also helps budget travelers plan their excursions. Many solo travelers also gravitate towards this option because the app tracks both the driver and the passenger, ensuring transparency in case of a problem. As ride-shares have gained in popularity and are more widely distributed, guests receive a more uniform experience, which, in turn benefits the hospitality industry. Guests in Chicago can use the same ride-share app as they do when they visit Los Angeles, for example. Ride-sharing platforms also provide more transportation in a city than some cities were previously able to provide, thus reducing tourist congestion. Additionally, when local drivers are hired, ride-shares can benefit the destination. Only regions with enough demand, however, will be able to support pay-by-ride transportation. If there are not enough tourists in a location, drivers will not be able to make enough money. Conversely, some areas do not have enough drivers for the demand, and wait times may be long.

6.3.2.4 Hotel Shuttles and Courtesy Vehicles

Hotel shuttles and other courtesy vehicles [KT] are owned and operated by a specific entity for the sole purpose of transporting guests to and from their facilities. Largely comprised of hotel shuttles, these vehicles move guest between transportation hubs, like airports, directly to the hotel. This service allows for ease of travel for the guest and may encourage bookings at the hotel. Other courtesy vehicles may operate out of convention centers, large shopping centers, or other locations where that see a steady flow of guests. These services are generally free and either run on prescribed routes and times or may operate at the request of a guest

6.3.2.5 Buses

Buses can be public or private entities. Public transit buses are the most common. They can accommodate 50 passengers plus. They run on pre-scheduled routes with pick-up times at each stop ranging from 10–30 minutes on average. Depending on the city and the type of rider, a ticket on a public transit bus may be free or cost a few dollars. Most areas sell bus passes that enable riders to pre-purchase bus fare and load it onto a card. Private bus companies rent buses with their drivers for temporary transportation. These companies may be employed by an event planner to bus in larger groups of guests arriving for a conference, or smaller buses might be rented by a tour group or bridal party to travel to tourism destinations. In the case of private rentals, some buses might be hired for a one-time fee paid by the requesting party. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates some aspects of bus transportation, including driver safety standards, commercial vehicle regulations, and hazardous materials transportation. Buses are also regulated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which oversees compliance as well as funding of subways and rail systems.

Buses provide inexpensive, reliable modes of transportation. They can also move large groups of people at one time. Public buses rarely have amenities and may be subject to scheduling delays, whereas private buses may have TVs, bathrooms, or even onboard food and beverage options. Buses operated by tour companies have the benefit of reducing the environmental impact of transporting guests in smaller private or rented cars and also ensure that large groups reach their destination at the same time, a valuable consideration when conducting tours.

6.3.3 Rail

Over 140,000 miles of rail line crisscross the United States. Rail systems account for the mass transportation of both cargo and passengers. Passenger trains such as Amtrak can be a fast, economical, and environmentally friendly option to move large numbers of tourists. According to the American Association of Railroads, a train can move one ton of cargo or passengers for 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel. The railroad industry is also an economic driver. For every railroad job, another 3.9 supporting jobs are created (AAR). To keep this large and productive system safe and efficient, several administrations and associations work to regulate the industry. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) oversees rail safety regulations and works with rail operators. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) acts as another important regulatory body, serving as a member organization of freight and passenger rail companies. It conducts research and provides legislative advocacy, training, and partnerships within the rail industry. The rail systems that move tourists and business travelers in the hospitality industry are passenger and high-speed rail, luxury and historic rail, subways, and monorails.

6.3.3.1 Passenger and High-speed Rail Networks

High-speed passenger rail systems [KT] transport large numbers of passengers at speeds of over 150 mph. Sometimes referred to as “commuter trains,” these trains are used to transport people to a set destination with regular and recurrent stops. Commuter trains bring people into the heart of a city to work or play. In addition to bringing locals into a city from the surrounding areas, commuter trains also enable tourists to move from city to city effectively and economically. The passenger railroad company Amtrak appeals to many riders who enjoy the inexpensive price point, the train travel itself, and the ease of use. Although some of these trains travel at high speeds, the travel time to a destination may be longer than by car due to the frequency and duration of stops along the line.

6.3.3.2 Luxury Train Services and Historic Rail

Luxury or historic train services serve a niche market and move at comparatively slow speeds. They usually operate on shorter lines and may include a range of specialty cars, including a dining car where guests can order meals and beverages, viewing cars with large windows and seats that face outward, open-topped cars for added viewing, and sleeper cars, which guests can reserve much like a hotel room. Sleeper cars come with a bed or a series of beds, a small sitting area, and may include a bathroom. Sleeper cars are necessary for trips lasting more than 24 hours. Some historic trains also include an audio narration that describes the history and particulars of the region, or regions, it passes through. For example, the luxurious Orient Express provides guests with a mode of transportation that may well serve as the primary purpose of a trip. Guests riding such trains often wish to see the scenery at a slower pace, and these speciality trains often take a more scenic route than highways do. This type of transportation system tends toward the higher end of the price range and moves more slowly between destinations than other options. Historic trains do not always prove accessible options for people with mobility issues or other disabilities, as the aisles are narrow and the footing may be uneven at times.

6.3.3.3 Subways

Subways are perhaps the most widely considered rail system for transporting passengers in large numbers. Subways comprise underground train systems. Their placement underground means that they don’t take up valuable real estate that would be better used for shops, homes, and roadways. Their placement underground also means that they can travel under rivers and other bodies of water, precluding the need for bridges, which often fill with traffic. New York City operates the largest business subway system in the United States. Passengers can pay per ride or purchase metro cards that have a predetermined amount available to the user. They typically provide multiple stops along a route, allowing for an easy commute through otherwise congested cities. The guest experience on a subway, however, is rarely ideal. The underground nature of the transfer stops means that the environment is often dim and dirty. Subways also do not regulate the total number of passengers, meaning that busy travel times might leave with standing-room-only and necessitate shoulder-to-shoulder contact with other riders. However, they are a quick way to move around within a city and are comparatively inexpensive.

6.3.3.4 Monorails

A monorail, unlike a subway or a train, moves along a single track. Monorails are typically “El trains” or “elevated trains,” which means that they run along a track that stands above normal roadways. Like subways, this design frees up the ground below for commerce and means that the monorail does not need to compete with traffic. Monorails are very similar to subways in that tickets can be purchased by the ride or via a pre-paid card. Monorails offer a more scenic view because they are above ground, but they suffer from the same overcrowding issues that subways do. Both subways and monorails operate only within a city and its surrounding area, making them only useful to those who need to move within a small geographical area. A famous monorail in Seattle, Washington, was created for the 1962 World’s Fair and covers just under one mile. Guests who select this mode of travel are interested in the ease of the transfer stops, the low fare, and the speed at which they can reach their destination.