Insights from a 37-Year Old NEMT Business in Connecticut | NEMT Experts Podcast Episode 55

Bambi CEO Nirav Chheda talks with Jeremy Scalzi, Board Member of TTA, Vice Chair Board of Directors of NEMTAC, and Director of Business Development of M7 Ride in Connecticut, about the insights and lessons learned from his family's 37-year-old NEMT business.
See the full interview on YouTube.
Or check out the episode on Spotify.

‍Please don't forget to subscribe and like NEMT Experts Podcast on YouTube.
‍
And listen (audio only) on your other favorite podcast platforms Apple and Pandora.

‍Key Takeaways
1. Family Business and Industry Evolution

• Jeremy Scalzi's father started M7 Ride in 1987 as a taxi company with 15 vehicles, growing it into a 160-vehicle statewide operation in Connecticut.
• The company shifted focus to NEMT (Non-Emergency Medical Transportation) as a niche, advocating for disability access and wheelchair accessibility.
• During COVID, M7 Ride adapted to become a COVID-positive transportation provider, keeping the business afloat by innovating safety practices.

2. Independent Contractor Model

• M7 Ride operates on an independent contractor model, allowing drivers to control their hours, type of accounts, and work schedules, offering them greater flexibility.
• Scalzi emphasizes the importance of listening to drivers’ needs and adapting the business model to support their independence.
• Surveys show drivers prefer the contractor model over employment for the autonomy it provides.

3. Value-Driven Transportation

• Scalzi highlights the concept of value-based transportation, offering multiple service levels like door-to-door, door-through-door, and person-to-person transport, instead of just curb-to-curb.
• Understanding the healthcare-adjacent role of NEMT companies is vital—customizing services for passengers (e.g., dialysis patients) can differentiate companies in a competitive market.
• Building strong relationships with healthcare facilities and listening to their needs allows NEMT providers to offer tailored services and gain a competitive edge.

Interesting Quotes
On Listening and Leadership

1. "Truly, truly, if we all listen more, what a world it would be." – Jeremy Scalzi
2. "Listening is probably 85% of your job." – Jeremy Scalzi
3. "Knowledge is power." – Jeremy Scalzi’s mother, a key influence in his approach.

On Business Philosophy

1. "Our whole motto here is expanding freedom, equality, and independence in transportation." – Jeremy Scalzi
2. "If you listen 80% of the time, those decisions will become easier and easier to make." – Jeremy Scalzi
3. "Helping people—that’s our niche." – Jeremy Scalzi

On Differentiation and Innovation

1. "When you're entering a market, you really have to know the industry that you're in." – Jeremy Scalzi
2. "Think of your transportation company as a storefront—if you only have one product on the shelf, you're limiting your market." – Jeremy Scalzi
3. "If you’re developing an API connection and plan on ride-sharing, a flag for immunocompromised individuals is an absolute must." – Jeremy Scalzi

‍