CHICAGO — Veteran Chicago transportation operators Tracy Hodge and Terrin Lange have formed Chicago’s Transportation Group, a firm that handles daily management services for other transportation companies generating $500,000 or higher in revenue. CTG will take reservations, dispatch vehicles, complete transactions, invoice, perform meet and greets, manage manifests and handle all aspects of customer service. The firm was officially founded on August 19, 2011.

Chicago's Transportation Group founders Tracy Hodge and Terrin Lange.

“Chicago’s Transportation Group was created in response to the economy,” said Tracy Hodge, co-founder of Chicago’s Transportation Group and owner of Chicago-based Your Private Limousine. “It seemed to make sense to pull together resources. We all still operate as separate companies but now it’s one management company to supply one office staff and one fleet of vehicles to provide service to each of our businesses. The companies invoice separately and continue to conduct their own marketing and branding while expanding their own book of business. CTG’s chauffeurs carry business cards for about five or six different companies in addition to its affiliate work.”

Some of the Chicagoland companies using CTG are Your Private Limousine, North Shore Limousine, Airport Limo Service, Chicago Metropolitan, American Unique Limo, Universe Group, Exclusive Limousine Enterprise and All Suburban Limousine.

CTG has a diverse fleet of 47 vehicles, including four new 2012 Lincoln MKTs, three new Lincoln Navigators and a third Mercedes Sprinter Van. These recent additions are part of the phasing out process of the older Lincoln Town Cars.

While CTG is based in Chicago, the company is able to handle nationwide reservations through its affiliate network. In addition to Chicagoland’s three major airports, CTG serves airports in New York City, Dallas Ft. Worth, Atlanta and Kansas City, Mo. The firm also has a special event planning department for both private and large corporate groups, customized booking portals and state-of-the-art technology that normally would not be available to a smaller operator.

CTG operators and fleet.

Hodge said that CTG is planning to go global by 2013 and plans to solidify its relationships through industry events and shows. “We’re keeping up with technology, and our big goal in 2013 is to bring bigger companies that are doing $1 million or more to our group,” she said.

CTG’s services are billed on a commission basis that factors in the member company’s gross revenue and the percentage of reservations booked by CTG. Smaller operators who only want select services, e.g. weekend dispatcher or nighttime reservations, can purchase them individually at a flat rate.

Contact info@chicagostransportationgroup.com for more info or to become an affiliate of CTG.

— Michael Campos, LCT associate editor