Large transportation companies enjoy economies of scale as regards purchasing and the ability to provide a more extensive service.
Small transportation businesses can compete better in local and regional areas. The industry is largely fragmented with 40% of revenue generated by 50 largest firms. If you are looking for a business in the transportation sector, then here are 50 lucrative business ideas for your consideration;
Best Transportation Business ideas
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TRICYCLE TRANSPORTATION
The opportunities for the tricycle transport business are enormous. This stems particularly from its unique features and advantages. Its portable nature, route flexibility, convenience for charter service, maintenance efficiency, durability/life span among others adds up to its tremendous business opportunity.
The establishment and creation of new route for tricycles across the state is a contributing factor. The business is practiced in almost all part of the world.
Although the tricycle can be ridden interstate, it’s restricted to intra-state operations because of the high risk involved in inter-state movement. The business is a lucrative one as it has tremendous opportunities for expansion. The threat already posed to the private commercial buses will give rise to the surge in demand for tricycles as against bicycles.
You can consider the trucking business. There are large chunks of imported goods that need to be transported to several towns and cities until they reach the small retailers and final consumers. Trucking and haulage are the vital links that connect imported, manufactured, and cultivated goods to final consumers like us. Without these heavy-duty trucks and tankers, commerce may somewhat be at a halt.
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BECOME A TRAFFIC CHANNEL OPERATOR
Generally we get traffic updates from the FM channels. Establishing a radio channel dedicated for traffic updates is a highly potential career for today’s world. Engaging the Government traffic professionals in your channel to keep the people updated will give your career an extra boost towards the success. Even though this is capital intensive in the short run but a profitable long-term career.
While some of us wouldn’t mind to hop on the economy section of a plane, some people cannot be caught dead traveling ‘economically’, they would rather go business/first class.
And there are also some that wouldn’t even be caught dead boarding a public plane at all; they want their own private plane for comfort, privacy and luxury purpose and because they cannot be bothered with the flight delays, cancellations and general unreliability of airline companies. As a private jet charter company, you have to know who your customers would be.
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BECOME A CAR HIRER
The car rental career is a very lucrative career, especially when you are located in a strategic place especially a city with huge population, commercial centers and entertainment outfits. The vehicles you hire to customers must meet higher safety standards before you can provide them for hire.
These include registration and annual licensing requirements and routine certificate of fitness inspections. Your vehicles must continue to meet these safety standards while operated in a transport service. When buying vehicles for your business, you should also be aware of the safety features common in many modern vehicles and any features that could affect the environment.
Every year, anxious teens who have attained the driving age requirements and even adults alike who don’t know how to drive, approach driving schools to learn how to drive.
If you are looking for a steady source of income in the automotive industry, then one of your options is to open a driving school; a place where you can teach people how to drive. It is important to state the before starting a driving school, you will be required to obtain the required license, permits and approval from the appropriate authority in your country.
Aside from the little stress involved in securing approval, permit and license for a driving school, it could be fun teaching people how to drive especially if driving is one of your hobbies.
With the increasing demand for shipping services that offer reasonable prices and promise convenience, speed and reliability, no other time could be better than now for taking a plunge into the shipping business. The industry is growing and rapidly changing—thanks to the increasing dependence on online shopping.
However, you must realize the fact that the maritime / shipping industry is highly capital intensive and competitive.Secondly, starting your own shipping company requires that you have in-depth knowledge of import and export procedures as well as the shipping, container, and logistics industries in your country.
You also need to know the legislation for crew members to work on-board your vessels, how to operate vessel within and outside specific ports, how to handle dangerous goods and other types of goods, and how to operate certain communication equipment on-board your vessel and many other legislation.
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AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SERVICE
Aircraft crashes are usually fatal and poor maintenance practices is one of the commonest causes of crashes. This explains why airline operators are required to routinely check and maintain their aircraft. If you have the required knowhow, then starting an aircraft maintenance business might be your own way of tapping from the profits in the aviation industry.
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CARGO TRACKING
As an importer and exporter, there is always a risk involved in the business especially when you do not have the knowledge of the location of your goods on sea. But this risk can be reduced with cargo tracking firms which you can employ their service in tracking and updating you in real time the location of your goods.
The safety and timely arrival of your cargo is paramount. But keeping track of where it is and whether its journey is going as planned can be hard without the right tools. Cargo tracking solutions is about monitoring cargo while it’s moving so you can make sure it’s where it needs to be when it needs to be there.
The sea is not the only means through which cargos can be brought in, the air can also be utilized in transporting containers. In 2014, airlines transported 51.3 million metric tons of goods, representing more than 35% of global trade by value but less than 1% of world trade by volume.
With the right tools and equipment even though very costly, you can start an air cargo business by helping businessmen transport their goods faster and in a safer way.
Taxi cabs are preferred by those who want to have a chauffeur drive them. While taxi cabs are known to pick customers off the road, private hire taxi cars serve customers who make a prior booking (especially via telephone). Although many taxi cabs in the cities are operated by their owners, there is a growing trend of private taxi cab companies too. These companies own a fleet of branded taxis and hire drivers (often on a fixed salary).
Depending on the brand and condition of the car (new or second hand), a suitable vehicle for a taxi cab business can cost between $5,000 and $15,000. Because taxi cabs are often regulated in most cities, they have to be registered with the relevant city council authorities.
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FERRY TRANSPORT
Because road transportation is the common and most used means of transportation across the world, the existing road networks and infrastructure are just not enough anymore to support the huge pressure.
In fact, the traffic jam faced by commuters in some of the world big cities is leading entrepreneurs to provide a better alternative to road transport. Water transport remains one of the most underdeveloped and underexploited means of transport across the developing world.
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INTERSTATE COMMUTING
They are the most common form of mass transportation on the continent and move people and goods within a city (intra city transport) and between cities (intercity transport).
Many commercial buses help to generate loads of cash. These buses operate within the cities or embark on long haul trips between several cities, towns and villages. There are also private companies that own bus fleets dedicated to transporting people and goods between urban and rural areas.
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BOAT CHARTERS
Boat charters form not just the good way of transportation or the aids for fishing but has also become a best way to recreate. If you are in such a place where there is so much of water around then you can choose to have boat charter. Get your business promoted not only locally but also through online so that you get booking from online too.
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INLAND WATERWAY TRANSPORT
There are lots of opportunities in the transport industry and inland waterway is one of them, transportation still remains a challenge because investors are yet to tap into water transportation. A lot of countries such as Italy, Thailand, etc, have effectively been utilizing their waterways as a means of transport; thus reducing the traffic congestion on the road.
All you need to do is to incorporate a company, obtain license from the state and federal government, import or purchase some locally fabricated boats; and you are in business.
Limousines are no longer limited to stretched Cadillac and Lincoln automobiles. Today’s limos include mile-long Hummers, vintage Rolls Royce, and themed vehicles with built-in hot tubs, grand pianos (complete with a pianist), and even disco themes, complete with the mirror ball and mini dance floor.
In most areas of the united states and Canada, a special business and driver’s license known as a chauffeur’s license is required to operate a limousine service and drive the vehicle. Therefore, be sure to check into regulations in your area before making any investments.
If you cannot acquire a limousine plate you may be able to purchase one if any are for sale, but expect to shell out big bucks, up to $100,000. Limousine plates and licenses are in high demand, mainly because it is not uncommon for operators to earn six-figure incomes.
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TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL
The trucking and delivery transportation industry is enormous. To gain employment in this industry, drivers must first acquire a special driver’s permit or endorsements on their driver’s license to enable them to become professional truck drivers.
In most cases, the applicant must successfully pass a written test and a practical road test before they can acquire these special driving permits.
Make no mistake, the written examination and practical road test are difficult, and due to this fact, most people who are seeking a career as a truck driver enroll in a truck driving instruction program prior to attempting to obtain the required permits and licenses.
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TIPPER BUSINESS
They carry granites from Quarry to different part of the Country. Any investor in this type of business is advised to register with the Quarry. A good tipper cost several thousand dollars and you are entitled to a good amount of cash daily. You can also give your tipper to a manager to manage for you.
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REACH TRUCK BUSINESS
Starting a reach truck service is a fantastic small business for someone who is seeking to operate his or her own business on a part-time basis.
The service is very straightforward: you purchase a used small bucket reach truck in good mechanical condition, and rent your services out for small residential and commercial building and structure repair jobs that are not easily or safely reached by a ladder.
The possibilities are endless as to the variety of services you can provide with this type of equipment. You can include window washing, painting, gutter cleaning, and sign maintenance.
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WATER TAXI BUSINESS
Are you looking for a unique, fun, and interesting transportation business venture that will enable you to capitalize on your boating skills and certifications? If so, perhaps you should consider starting a water taxi business. Of course, one of the main requirements is to live by a body of water where this type of service would be in demand.
Providing the question of suitable location can be resolved, a water taxi service can be a terrific business venture to set in motion. In addition to the taxi service, you can also provide water sightseeing tours.
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TRANSPORT MAINTENANCE COURSE
Calling all certified mechanics. Put your automobile repair skills to work for you and start a business that teaches students how to do general maintenance on their cars and trucks. The auto maintenance courses could be conducted in association with a community or educational facility, such as a community college, or on an independent basis by leasing a small work and training space.
Course instruction can include how to change your oil, change a flat tire, and carry out regular brake and steering checks, as well as any other small automotive related maintenance tasks. Providing you can secure ten paying clients per week for a three-hour auto maintenance class and charge the students $50 each, this great part-time business would generate sales in excess of $2,000 per month.
Obtaining a license to start or operate an automotive towing business can be a frustrating task since auto-towing licenses are heavily regulated. Some operators of towing companies forego the license entirely and don’t provide towing services to the general public; instead they only subcontract their services on an exclusive basis to car dealers and property managers.
However, this can still be a risky venture given that it may be difficult to secure proper liability insurance for this type of towing operation.
The alternative to waiting to be awarded a towing license is to purchase one from an existing towing operator or company. Purchasing a towing license and tow truck in an urban area can cost you as much as $200,000 with no towing accounts in place.
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BOATS BROKER
Highly ambitious entrepreneurs with boating experience have the potential to cash in big on the boating boom by starting a boat brokerage service. However, before you get too excited at the prospect of selling boats, you should know that some states require boat brokers to be licensed.
At present, though, there are no across-the-board regulations, and each state has its own regulations. Securing just a tiny portion of this very lucrative market may be easier than you think, especially when you consider that you can operate from home and travel to marinas to list, show and sell, enabling you to keep startup costs to a minimum.
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CAR STORAGE
Car storage is big business, especially in the northern climate areas of the United States and Canada. And the first step to establishing a car storage business is to secure low-cost indoor storage space, such as a vacant warehouse or manufacturing building.
The next step is to simply market the business, and this is best accomplished by joining automotive clubs and associations and attending the clubs’ meetings and social functions to network for business. Current automotive storage rates are in the range of $40 to $80 per month. Be sure your storage spaces are heated and in good repair, as this will be vitally important to the success of the business.
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TRANSPORT BLOGGING
If you pride yourself on having deep knowledge of the transportation industry in your country, then you can start a blog and share your knowledge with others.
Although your ultimate goal is to generate profits, you will need to focus on building a loyal audience through publishing quality, helpful, and valuable information. Once your blog becomes popular, you will be able to monetize it through multiple options, such as affiliate marketing, advertising, and so on.
Start a courier service specializing in envelopes, small packages or large shipments, or combine all package types and sizes to maximize profit potential. The least expensive way to get started in the courier industry is to subcontract your services to an established courier company, meaning that you supply the transportation and yourself to pick up and deliver parcels.
But this option also leaves you with the lowest profit potential and ability to grow the business. A better option is to start your own courier service outright, and hire other owner/operators on a revenue-sharing basis to make deliveries, while you concentrate on marketing, managing and building the business.
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DOUBLE DECKER BUS TOUR
Antique, English-style double-decker buses have always held a certain mystique and fascination for most people. They’re unique, fun and harken back to an earlier time. Starting a double-decker bus tour business could not only prove to be a whole lot of fun, it could also be a very profitable business venture.
The key to success in this type of tour business is to make sure the tour business is operated in a busy tourist area, and that the tour itself is fun, interesting and unique.
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KIDS TAXI SERVICE
Kids these days have schedules just about as hectic as their parents–school, soccer practice, Little League, ballet lessons, orthodontist appointments, after-school care–it can leave working parents with no time to work in between all these drop-off and pick-up assignments.
But if you’re a kid-lover who likes to be on the go, you can save the day with a kids’ taxi service. You’ll need nerves of steel; you can’t be distracted by giggling or minor wars in the back of the van or by imminent car sickness up front.
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PEDICAB SERVICES
Make big profits by starting a pedicab taxi/tour service. A ride through the park, a sightseeing tour around town, or a relaxing ride to and from a restaurant for tourists and locals alike. Pedi cabs are available in a wide range of styles, purposes, and price points.
There are basic two-occupant models all the way up to models that will accommodate six people, and even others that are equipped with storage space (but no seating) for urban parcel delivery instead of people. New pedicabs start at about $3,500, and half that amount if used.
Airport shuttle business is indeed a very lucrative venture but the fact remains that it is a capital intensive business. As a matter of fact, you would need huge capital base to be able to acquire all the required buses, vans or cars to be used for your airport service.
You need to rent a place to use for running your administrative jobs (bookings, customer care center, accounting et al), and you would need money to acquire all the required license and permits.
All these would gulp money, and that is why you must be financially prepared before launching out to start your own airport shuttle service. There are specific buses required to run as shuttles in the airport especially if your shuttle service is within the airport.
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SCOOTER RENTAL BUSINESS
Scooter rental business is a profitable venture and it is easy to manage if the proper structure is put in place. Of course there are areas where scooter rental businesses can’t thrive and there are areas where it might possibly thrive.
Scooter business can thrive in areas where you can find appreciable numbers of tourist, islands, and beaches and also areas such as games villages. Establishing a scooter rental business requires enough capital to purchase at least 10 scooters to start with. One major challenge people who are into scooter rental business face are the challenges of regular maintenance of the scooter.
The fact that corporate organization may need to convey their staffs to and from their work post and would not want to take the responsibility of owning buses makes a charter bus company a very lucrative business to go into. No doubt it is capital intensive, but you can be rest assured that you will make a good return from the business if you are well positioned.
So, if you know that you have the financial capacity to acquire good buses, then you should consider starting your own charter bus company. Your clientele base will not just be restricted to offices, but also schools, sport clubs and churches, and what have you.
Most people, especially senior citizens or baby boomers, people with disabilities, and low-income people face one problem when they need to go for physician visits, treatment, or other types of medical appointments; and that is the problem of transportation.
Although private medical transportation businesses have been established to meet the needs of people who don’t have family or friends available to drive them to a doctor’s appointment or nursing home, the ones available are too few to cater for the booming demand for this service, which is due to the increasing senior population.
A good business idea is to start a private medical transportation business. With the huge demand, it won’t take long before you will start making good income and expand your expertise as well.
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BATTERY CHARGING/RECONDITIONING
The battery reconditioning career is enjoying increasing demand because consumers are trying to cut costs and live green at the same time. So, rather than buy a brand new battery that goes for about $75, they would rather save 50% of that cost by opting for a reconditioned battery, which costs around $35.
They can also decide to have their old batteries reconditioned, thereby keeping the batteries from ending up in landfills and ultimately “hurting” the environment. Battery reconditioning involves using certain chemicals to dissolve the built-up acid crystals on the lead plates of batteries.
The travel industry is a big industry within the tourism industry but it is still within the transportation business. The major players is this industry are the transportation companies (Airline, Cruise and Shipping companies and other transporters) and a special category of people that work behind the scenes to ensure that travelers are comfortable on their trips and get value for their money. These people are known as travel agents.
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VALET PARKING SERVICE
Valet parking is a parking service that is common in places where people find it difficult to locate parking slots due to the number of vehicles in the car park. Here is the way a valet parking service operates; once you drive in, you are expected to hand over your car to a person called a valet who helps you locate a parking space and then parks your car for you.
Normally you are required to pay a fee for the service. On the other hand, the organizer of the event or owner of the facility you are visiting may have paid on your behalf. Normally, an organization can choose to run their own valet parking service or contract it to a third party provider.
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AIRPLANE REFUELING SERVICE
The aviation fueling business is as old as the aviation industry itself. And it’s a very lucrative venture, since every aircraft needs fuel to fly.
The business caters to both commercial and private airline operators, so there’s a decent market for smart players. If you have the required experience and startup capital, starting an aviation fueling business can be a very profitable business venture.
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AIRPLANE WASHING SERVICE
Aircraft are washed regularly in order to make them look clean and attractive. In fact, clean aircraft is one of the reasons why customers love some airline operators. This explains why most operators deem it necessary to wash their aircraft often. Starting an aircraft washing service requires no formal qualifications or certification and requires minimal startup capital.
Cars get dirty and need regular wash but most people have no time to spare. Driving to the car wash to get your car professionally cleaned is much easier and faster than spending time washing it yourself. Starting a car wash requires having an open space and some money for the necessary equipment.
If you’re looking to join the transportation industry, you could also become a car mechanic, which is a level or two up on the ladder from the technician. Many people confuse mechanics with automotive technicians. Mechanics are responsible for performing many of the same tasks as technicians.
However, mechanics also perform more difficult tasks than a technician. These tasks include things such as replacing engines, alternators, or fixing suspension and electrical problems. In order to become a mechanic, you will also need more education and experience.
Every year anxious, teens who have attained the driving age requirements and even adults alike, who don’t know how to drive; approach driving schools to learn how to drive. If you are looking for a steady source of income in the automotive industry, then one of your options is to open a driving school; a place where you can teach people how to drive.
It is important to state the before starting a driving school, you will be required to obtain the required license, permits and approval from the appropriate authority in your country.
The thousands of vehicles you see moving around on daily basis need to be fuelled and that fuel has to come from somewhere especially since most people don’t have gas stations in their garages. You can be the one to provide this vital service to people around your area.
Auto detailers, also called vehicle cleaners, scrub and polish automobiles using a variety of cleaning tools. They apply cleaners and abrasive solutions, wash and polish windows, rinse objects from car interiors and dry entire vehicles. The work is often noisy and performed in enclosed spaces that involve exposure to contaminants.
Work may include cleaning private vehicles, as well as storage tanks, pipelines and related machinery. Employment is most often found at dealerships, car washes and car rental agencies.
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BICYCLE REPAIR
If you love bikes and enjoy fixing things, you could convert your garage into a workshop and offer bike repair services. You can turn your love of bicycling into a moneymaking enterprise by advertising that you repair bikes. This type of business can translate into any hobby or love.
If you ski, you can offer to wax and repair skis, you can refurbish rollerblades, fix or shape surfboards, etc. Take a look at your hobbies and see if there is one with similar marketable potential.
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OIL CHANGING SERVICE
Oil change is growing rapidly now because people have recently become aware of the huge demand for this service and the high level of profitability too. For most vehicles, it is usually recommended that the vehicle oil should be changed at least after every 5,000 miles.
You don’t have to be an auto mechanic to start a mobile oil change career. However, it is important that you learn all the techniques like how to change oil, which oils are the best to be used and which oils you should avoid. By learning about the career, you would be able to determine if it’s the right career for you.
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TIRE MERCHANIZING
Other than a good engine, one of the most important components of any automobile is a good set of tires. A tire store does not require as much effort as a full vehicle service or repair store. However, it does offer the same level of profitability and job satisfaction.
This is a good option for anyone who is hands-on and wants to get down and dirty as they watch their career grow. Opening up a tire store does not have to take up a lot of capital; you can start small with only a jack and a few tools and afterwards expand as your career grows.
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VUCLANIZING AND TIRE REPAIRING
Motorists usually spend a lot in getting their tires fixed or replaced. Most often they need the services of a well-trained technician to have their tires repaired, replaced or re-treated. Do you have extensive experience or formal training in vehicle servicing?
If yes, then this is one career you can start. Those who own a car or bike spend a lot of money in tires next to fuel. From time to time, they’d need to have tires pumped up, repaired or re-treaded if not replaced.
If you are someone who knows a lot about these services you can start a tire repair shop. If you don’t, and want to know how in order to open a tire repair shop, you can enroll in a formal training from auto repair schools and from manufacturer certificate programs.
A lot of people desire to have cars but not a lot of people can afford brand new automobiles. This is why used car sales continue to be a viable business venture. You can start selling used cars too and if you don’t have enough capital, you can act as an agent until you gather enough funds to start your own car sales business.
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INSURANCE BROKER
Another transport business is being an insurance broker. Because there is always a risk that goods in transit may be damaged, lost or delayed, businesses like wholesalers, retailers, and distributors can protect their property by purchasing transportation insurance.
Coverage depends on the specific policy but may include theft, fire, and other similar perils. Besides opting for transportation insurance, making sure the goods are packed safely and securely also mitigates any loss. Transportation insurance is a policy that offers coverage on the insured’s property while it is in transit from one location to another on any necessary mode of transport. This includes transport by land, air, and water
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BOATS RENTALS
You can opt to become a boat hirer. Renting small, motorized, runabout boats to fishermen can be a very lucrative rental business venture to establish in your area. Fishermen travel far and wide in search of the perfect fishing hole.
The business can be water-based and operated from a marina or rented dock facility. Or, the business can be land-based and the boats can be rented with a trailer. To get started, design colorful brochures and distribute them to hotels, motels and tourist attractions. The brochures should contain information about your boat rentals including rates and the size of boat and motor.
51. Start a Hot Shot Delivery Business
The transport business offers enormous opportunities for every individual regardless of age or sex. Everyone has a place to fit into in the industry; therefore you should also take the bull by the horn and do something by converting your love for cats and traveling into a means of earning a living.