The worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 has changed our lives in many ways. It has rethought the way we work and socialize, and changed the transportation industry, including private chauffeur services. This sector has had to adapt quickly to meet new challenges and the changing needs of travelers. Health and safety concerns have led to a major evolution in this business. Let’s find out how the pandemic has transformed private chauffeur services and its various impacts on the profession.
Adapting to hygiene protocols
One of the transformations has been the introduction of reinforced hygiene protocols in response to the pandemic, and in general, to any transmission of viruses or bacteria. Companies have drawn up strict guidelines to protect drivers and passengers. Sanitation has been improved. Vehicles are now equipped with disinfectant gels, masks and physical barriers to minimize any risk of spreading the virus. Private drivers have also been trained in best practices in hygiene and social distancing. Meticulous cleaning of vehicles has become a priority, regularly monitored and following precise protocols.
The evolution of services
Demand for private chauffeur services rose and fell throughout the pandemic. Travel, both business and leisure, had dropped considerably. As a result, many private chauffeur companies took the opportunity to broaden their range of services to adapt to the new reality and its attendant constraints. This diversification has enabled private chauffeurs to maintain and vary their activities, and to meet the changing needs of a demanding clientele anxious to limit the number of people they deal with. So, from the moment you step off the private jet, to the restaurant at the trade show, all your desires are anticipated and fulfilled by a single company.
The rise of booking applications and websites
Private chauffeur apps and booking sites have grown in popularity during the pandemic. Passengers, concerned about their safety, prefer to hire rides using apps rather than calling traditional cabs. For example, it’s reassuring to be able to follow the route of a reserved vehicle on your phone, so you know exactly when it will arrive. Nevertheless, the success of these new platforms shows that new needs have arisen: longer opening hours, parking difficulties in major cities, telecommuting, the isolation of suburbs… The private car, or even better the private chauffeur, is becoming a common-sense choice. Internet sites also provide all the information, contacts and services on offer. The time saved is immense, and the response almost instantaneous.
Technological innovation
The pandemic has also stimulated technological innovation in the private chauffeur sector. Companies have invested in technologies such as UV disinfection to ensure passenger safety, air quality monitoring applications, and even autonomous vehicles. It has accelerated the digitalization of this sector. Website reservations and contactless payments became the norm, reducing physical interactions between drivers and passengers. Today, they persist thanks to the time they save. These advances have improved the speed of transactions and the safety of journeys, paving the way for a sustainable modernization of the private transport industry.
Kingdom Limousine, excellence on the Côte d’Azur
So, if some thought private car travel was coming to an end, at Kingdom Limousine we’ve worked to extend our services in terms of safety, comfort and culture. For example, in addition to luxury transportation, we now offer private chauffeur-driven sightseeing tours of the major cities on the Côte d’Azur. He’ll advise you throughout your stay and give you the benefit of his in-depth knowledge of the region’s attractions, from Marseille to Nice. Experienced and English-speaking, they’re no strangers to local film, music and business events. On our website, you’ll find all the services, cars, types of transport and services offered by our company.
The coronavirus has highlighted the risks of shared mobility as a factor in the rapid spread of disease. With the pandemic behind us, the private chauffeur industry is ready to take on new challenges. It will continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of modern, distinguished travelers. For Kingdom Limousine Côte d’Azur, luxury, refinement and precision remain values carried by our company, despite adversity, to offer our customers the best in private and secure transportation.
