Rick Bryant, president of Metro Executive Transportation of Jax LLC, has transitioned his career from real estate sales to entrepreneurship since December 2009.
He has built a small fleet of automobiles and vans that are available for hire and he's specializing in the Downtown market.
Bryant said he went into the private transportation business by accident.
"If you were in real estate in 2008, you were looking for another job by 2009," he said.
A friend drove a cab, so Bryant decided to give it a try. He started leasing a taxi on a daily basis and found some of the skills he used selling real estate translated to his new job.
"After 20 years in real estate, I understood customer service," he said.
Bryant picked up many of his fares at the Hyatt Downtown and by February 2010, he was the cab company's supervisor for the hotel.
"I figured out how to run a cab business and I learned there is opportunity Downtown for a professional car service. The business and leisure travel market wants VIP treatment. I became a disciple of Downtown," he said.
In January 2011, the cab company moved him to the airport, "but I just couldn't forget about Downtown," Bryant said.
Metro's newest venture is a shuttle service to connect passengers Downtown with restaurants in Riverside and San Marco.
From 10:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m. Monday-Friday, Bryant said he picks up passengers Downtown and has them at their lunch destination in about eight minutes for a $6 or less round-trip fare.
"If you work Downtown, you don't have time to use your own car to go out for lunch and for a lot of people, the Riverside trolley just doesn't work," he said.
"We pick you up and drop you off at your door and charge $3 round trip within Downtown and $4 for Riverside or San Marco and back. It's low cost, but it's executive service," he said.
Reservations and payment can be made at myjaxride.com.
"The middle of the day during the week is a slow time for the cab business. I think I can grow this side of the business," Bryant said.
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