Local
3 Minute Interview-Kane
By: Michael Neibauer
Examiner Staff Writer
November 28, 2008
 |
What drove you to limousines?
My family’s been in Washington in transportation for about 90 years. We started in 1918 in pure trucking, as Kane Transfer. I’ve been in transportation all my life.
Is the economic downturn impacting your business?
I’m finding that the performance of our company this year, we’re up 20 percent, is not indicative of nationwide. Boston, New York, they’re off 50 percent. I think D.C. has a very broad range of customers, and the government props it up.
What are your plans for Inauguration Day?
It’s interesting what’s happening out there. The local folks, they know how to get around and there’s no bookings at all. But my West Coast travel agents that deal with Hollywood celebrities, they’re the ones that have really been all over us. And a lot of politicos, too.
Are you booked?
We’re about three-quarters booked. This is our 10th inauguration, and it always takes about two or three weeks after the election ... and then comes the ‘How am I going to get around?’ after Thanksgiving. It’ll be there. There’s also an intimidation factor in the media of how many people are actually coming. If you’re going to have 4 million people, that’s going to scare off a whole lot of people.
The roads will be packed. How will you get people around?
It’s going to be tough. You won’t know where the perimeters are going to be set up. That’s the key thing. That’s going to set everything off, where you’re going to be allowed access to.
Any stretch Hummers available?
If I can’t put 40 hours in a week on it, I don’t buy it. We are a conservative chauffeur transportation company, mostly six-passenger transportation. Cadillacs. They’re all new.
If I want a limo for three days, 10 hours a day, how much will it cost?
That’s going to run you about $99 plus any additional charges per hour, on average. – Michael Neibauer
