windy city limo

What windy city limo does

Windy City Limousine & Bus (legal entity Echo Windy City Transportation) is a privately held Chicago-area chauffeured ground transportation company founded in 2006 by George Jacobs, operating a fleet of 330+ vehicles that spans luxury sedans (Lincoln Continental, Cadillac XTS, Mercedes-Benz), SUVs (Escalade, Navigator), executive vans, party buses, mini coaches, and full-size 56-passenger motorcoaches. The company serves four primary use-case segments: corporate/business transportation (airport transfers, roadshows, employee shuttles), weddings and bridal parties, group events and charters (galas, proms, conventions), and airport transportation to O'Hare, Midway, and Chicago-area FBOs, plus secondary segments including Catch-A-Ride university student transportation (Indiana University, Ball State University, University of Iowa), Catch-A-Ride event transportation (Indy 500, Windy City Smokeout), and ADA-compliant accessible services.

The technology stack is operational rather than differentiated: GPS vehicle tracking, DriveCam event-triggered video monitoring, FlightView flight tracking integration, and a GroundWidgets/GroundTools third-party online reservation and booking platform. No proprietary AI/ML, API, or developer platform is offered. The company markets $10M of insurance coverage (2x the Illinois state requirement) as a trust signal and supports a 24/7 phone reservation line.

Revenue is generated primarily through transaction-based pricing on chauffeured services (hourly/daily/trip billing by vehicle class), with quote-based custom packages for weddings (50% non-refundable retainer) and event charters, plus affiliate referral and single-point billing revenue from the global partner network. GTM mixes direct enterprise field sales (corporate accounts, sports teams, hotels, DMCs), inside sales via 24/7 phone, self-serve online booking for SMB/consumer, and channel partnerships (university Catch-A-Ride, global affiliates). The customer base is diversified across named enterprise logos (Chicago White Sox/Cubs/Bulls/Bears, BGC Partners, McDonald's, Make-A-Wish, Odyssey Cruises, Broadway in Chicago, Lettuce Entertain You) and high-volume wedding and event business supported by 10+ years of Best Transportation awards from Illinois Meetings & Events Magazine, The Knot Hall of Fame, and WeddingWire Couple's Choice.

Name

windy city limo

Legal name

Echo Windy City Transportation

Website

https://windycitylimos.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Windy City Limousine & Bus is a privately held Chicago chauffeured ground transportation company operating 330+ vehicles (sedans to 56-passenger motorcoaches), serving corporate, wedding, airport, event, and university student segments across Chicagoland and globally via affiliates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chauffeured Ground Transportation Services

NAICS

Limousine Service (485320), Charter Bus Industry (48551), Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (48599)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Limousine Services (Luxury Sedan & Stretch Limo) (THADAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pre-Booked Private Hire / Chauffeur (PHV/Limo) (THAIAGAD), Party Transportation (Limo, Shuttle) Services (HSACACAN), Coach & Bus Charter Fleet Rental (With/Without Driver) (TLABADAE), Long-Distance/Overnight Charter Coaches (THAIAIAL)

Keywords

• Chartered limo services
• Chauffeured ground transportation
• Executive car service
• Wedding limousine rentals
• Motor coach charter

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Chauffeured Transportation Services: Primary revenue stream from providing black car services, shared ride transfers, and group charter transportation. Services are booked by the hour, day, or trip with pricing based on vehicle type and duration.
2. Airport Transfers: One-way or round-trip airport transportation services to/from O'Hare International Airport, Midway International Airport, and private FBO airports.
3. Event Transportation Services: Wedding transportation packages, bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate events, sports event transportation, and convention services.
4. Student Transportation (Catch-A-Ride): Express bus service for university students traveling between campus and home areas during breaks, generating ticket-based revenue.
5. Event Transportation (Catch-A-Ride Events): Transportation to major ticketed events including concerts, festivals, and sporting events with ticket-based pricing.
6. Affiliate Partner Revenue: Revenue from affiliate partnerships where Windy City acts as the primary coordinator for multi-city transportation, handling billing and service coordination.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Windy City Limousine & Bus provides chauffeured ground transportation services from a fleet of 330+ vehicles ranging from luxury sedans to 56-passenger motor coaches. Core services are corporate transportation, wedding transportation, airport transfers, group and event charters, and worldwide transportation coordinated through an affiliate network, plus Catch-A-Ride express bus service for university students and ticketed events. Booking is handled via 24/7 phone, a direct enterprise sales team, and an online GroundWidgets reservation system.

Product overview

Windy City Limousine operates a diversified fleet of over 330 vehicles serving the ground transportation industry. The product portfolio spans luxury sedans (Lincoln Continental, Cadillac XTS, Mercedes Benz), SUVs (Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator), passenger vans (Sprinter Van, 14 Passenger Mini Bus, 23 Passenger Mini Bus, 39 Passenger Mini Bus), limo vans and buses (12 Passenger Limo Van, 20 Passenger Executive Limo Bus, 25 Passenger Party Bus), transit buses, mini coaches (40 Passenger), and full-size motor coaches (56 Passenger). Service offerings include corporate transportation, wedding transportation, airport shuttle services, group and event charters, global transportation via affiliate network, and student transportation programs (Catch-A-Ride for university students and Catch-A-Ride Events for major event transportation). The company operates from a 60,000+ sq ft facility in Broadview, IL and maintains an online reservation system for customer bookings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Catch-A-Ride: Student transportation service offering express bus service between universities (Indiana University, Ball State University, University of Iowa) and Chicagoland/Indiana areas during semester breaks and holidays.
• Catch-A-Ride Events

Products and services

• Corporate Transportation Business travel services including corporate shuttles, airport transfers, hourly charters, roadshows, meetings, and employee transportation for companies throughout the Chicagoland area and nationwide. Vehicles are insured up to $10,000,000.
• Wedding Transportation Wedding transportation with dedicated coordinator, including limousines, stretch SUVs, party buses, airport transfers for out-of-town guests, shuttle service between venues, and complimentary champagne for the bride and groom.
• Airport Transportation Door-to-door airport shuttle and car services to and from O'Hare International Airport, Midway International Airport, and private FBO airports, with service to downtown Chicago and the broader Chicagoland area.
• Group and Event Charters Charter packages for galas, weddings, proms, school dances, sporting events, conventions, and corporate events, with event coordinator support and specialized chauffeur service.
• Global Transportation Worldwide chauffeured transportation service delivered through an extensive network of trusted affiliates, offering VIP-trained chauffeurs, exclusive partner pricing, and single-point billing from Windy City in any city globally.
• Catch-A-Ride Student Transportation Express bus service for university students traveling between campus and home areas. Routes serve Indiana University, Ball State University, and University of Iowa students traveling to and from Chicagoland and Indiana destinations, with free Wi-Fi and student-only ridership.
• Catch-A-Ride Event Transportation Event transportation service to major Midwest events including the Indy 500 and the Windy City Smokeout, with BYOB policy, optional box lunch add-ons, and free bottled water.
• ADA Accessible Transportation ADA-compliant chauffeured transportation for passengers with disabilities, featuring wheelchair-accessible vehicles with lifts and personal-assistance chauffeur support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 million reservations served
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• MCI (Motor Coach Industries)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2018Strategic partnership with MCI for motorcoach acquisitions and support. Windy City CEO George Jacobs partnered with MCI when adding motorcoaches to the fleet in 2007. MCI provided vehicles that were reliable, safe, and eye-catching. This partnership enabled Windy City to offer luxury motorcoach service with professional chauffeurs instead of typical bus drivers.
• Chicago White SoxflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Limousine and Bus of the Chicago White Sox. Windy City provides VIP transportation, charters, and airport services for team executives, celebrities, and special guests at home games and during the 2005 World Series run.
• Chicago CubscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Limousine and Bus partner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.
• Chicago BullscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Limousine and Bus partner of the Chicago Bulls NBA team.
• Chicago BearscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Limousine and Bus partner of the Chicago Bears NFL team.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of IllinoisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable partnership providing first-rate transportation for wish children and their families. Windy City donates services to help create once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
• Broadway in ChicagocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTransportation partner for Broadway in Chicago theatrical productions and events.
• Lettuce Entertain You EnterprisescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTransportation partner for Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group events and dining experiences.
• Odyssey CruisescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTransportation partner for Odyssey Cruises Chicago dining cruises and events.
• Indiana UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partnership for Catch-A-Ride student transportation service. Express bus service from campus to Chicagoland during semester breaks. Serviced for 18 years.
• Ball State UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partnership for Catch-A-Ride student transportation service. Express bus service from campus to Chicagoland and Indiana during semester breaks. Serviced for 9 years.
• University of IowacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partnership for Catch-A-Ride student transportation service. Express bus service from Iowa Memorial Union campus to Rosemont and Oakbrook, IL.
• Public ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel transportation partner providing guest transportation services.
• Radisson BluminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel transportation partner providing guest transportation services.
• Sheraton Lisle/NapervilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel transportation partner providing guest transportation services.
• Cooper's Hawk Winery & RestaurantsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant and winery transportation partner for private events.
• Global Affiliate NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of trusted affiliate transportation companies worldwide that share Windy City's values and business practices. Enables global transportation coordination with exclusive pricing through partnerships.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Uber: Global rideshare and mobility platform competing across ground transportation, including airport transfers and corporate travel with Uber Black/Comfort tiers. Indirectly competes with Windy City for price-sensitive corporate and consumer rides.
• Carey International: Global chauffeured transportation company offering executive black car and shuttle services across 1,000+ cities. Directly comparable to Windy City's corporate, airport, and wedding chauffeur offerings but with broader geographic reach and a larger fleet.
• Lyft: U.S. rideshare platform offering standard and premium ride options that compete with Windy City's airport and basic corporate black-car services, particularly on price-sensitive trips.

Direct peers

• Coach USA: Major U.S. charter bus and motorcoach operator serving corporate, school, and group travel markets. Comparable to Windy City's motorcoach charter segment and Catch-A-Ride group charter operations.
• Blacklane: Global chauffeur service operating in 50+ countries with a mobile-first booking platform. Competes head-on with Windy City for premium airport, corporate, and event transportation; represents the digital-native version of Windy City's service model.
• All Aboard America: Charter bus and motorcoach operator providing group transportation for corporate events, schools, and tours across multiple U.S. states. Directly comparable to Windy City's motorcoach and mini-coach charter services.

Others

• GroundWidgets: Reservation and booking technology platform used by Windy City for online booking. Functions as a technology enabler/partner rather than a direct competitor, but indicative of broader software ecosystems serving the limo industry.

Regional players

• Empire Limousine: Chicago-area chauffeured transportation provider offering corporate, airport, and event limo services. Direct regional competitor to Windy City in the Chicagoland black-car market.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights2 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Windycitylimos

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about windy city limo