Exhibit 10.1
                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                            dated as of May 13, 1999


                                 by and between


                              TRANSIT GROUP, INC.


                                      and


                      GE CAPITAL EQUITY INVESTMENTS, INC.


                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                                  (continued)
                                      Page



                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT



I.       DEFINITIONS.........................................................1

II.      THE PURCHASE OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK.........................8
         2.1.     Authorization of Issue.....................................8

         2.2.     Purchase of Convertible Preferred Stock....................8

         2.3.     Closing....................................................9

         2.4.     Use of Proceeds............................................9

III.     PURCHASER'S REPRESENTATIONS.........................................9

         3.1.     Investment Intention.......................................9

         3.2.     Accredited Investor........................................9

         3.3.     Corporate Existence........................................10

         3.4.     Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations....10

         3.5.     Restricted Shares..........................................10

         3.6.     Brokers....................................................10

IV.      COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES............................10

         4.1.     Authorized and Outstanding Shares of Capital Stock.........10

         4.2.     Authorization and Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock..11

         4.3.     Securities Laws............................................11

         4.4.     Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law...................11

         4.5.     Subsidiaries...............................................12

         4.6.     Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations....12

         4.7.     Financial Statements.......................................13

         4.8.     Ownership of Property......................................13

         4.9.     Material Contracts; Indebtedness...........................14

         4.10.    Environmental Protection...................................14

         4.11.    Labor Matters..............................................15

         4.12.    Other Ventures.............................................16

         4.13.    Taxes......................................................16

         4.14.    No Litigation..............................................17

         4.15.    Brokers....................................................17

         4.16.    Employment and Labor Agreements............................17

         4.17.    Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses...............17

         4.18.    No Material Adverse Effect.................................17

         4.19.    ERISA......................................................18

         4.20.    Registration Rights........................................19

         4.21.    SEC Documents..............................................19

         4.22.    Ordinary Course of Business................................19

         4.23.    Insurance..................................................19

         4.24.    Minute Books...............................................20

         4.25.    Year 2000 Compliance.......................................20

         4.26.    Full Disclosure............................................20

V.       COVENANTS...........................................................21

         5.1.     Affirmative and Financial Covenants........................21

                  (a)      Books and Records.................................21

                  (b)      Financial and Business Information................21

                  (c)      Communication with Accountants....................22

                  (d)      Tax Compliance....................................23

                  (e)      Insurance.........................................23

                  (f)      Employee Plans....................................23

                  (g)      Compliance with Law...............................24

                  (h)      Maintenance of Existence and Conduct of Business..24

                  (i)      Access............................................24

                  (j)      Exchange of Stock Certificates....................24

                  (k)      Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Mutilated Stock
                            Certificates.....................................25

         5.2.     Negative Covenants.........................................25

                  (a)      Permitted Acquisitions or Investments.............25

                  (b)      Sales of Assets; Liquidation......................26

                  (c)      Agreements........................................26

                  (d)      Employee Loans....................................26

                  (e)      Capital Stock.....................................26

                  (f)      Transactions with Affiliates......................26

                  (g)      Indebtedness......................................27

                  (h)      Restricted Payments...............................27

                  (i)      Mergers and Subsidiaries..........................27

                  (j)      Amendments to Articles of Incorporation and
                            By-Law...........................................27

         5.3.     Remedies for Events of Default.............................28

         5.4.     Certain Tax Matters........................................28

         5.5.     Status of Dividends........................................29

VI.      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT................................................29

         6.1.     Purchaser Conditions Precedent.............................29

         6.2.     Additional Purchaser Conditions............................31

         6.3.     Company Conditions Precedent...............................31

VII.     SECURITIES LAW MATTERS..............................................32

         7.1.     Legends....................................................32

VIII.    SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION...........................................32

         8.1.     Survival...................................................32

         8.2.     Indemnification............................................32

IX.      EXPENSES............................................................33

X.       MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................34

         10.1.    Notices....................................................34

         10.2.    Binding Effect; Benefits...................................35

         10.3.    Amendment..................................................35

         10.4.    Successors and Assigns; Assignability......................36

         10.5.    Remedies...................................................36

         10.6.    Section and Other Headings.................................36

         10.7.    Severability...............................................36

         10.8.    Counterparts...............................................36

         10.9.    Publicity..................................................36

         10.10.   Entire Agreement...........................................36

         10.11.   Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial........................37

Schedules

Schedule 4.1      -         Stock and Warrants
Schedule 4.5      -         Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.6      -         Consents
Schedule 4.7      -         Financial Statements; Other Obligations
Schedule 4.8      -         Ownership and Properties
Schedule 4.9      -         Material Contracts and Indebtedness
Schedule 4.10     -         Environmental Matters
Schedule 4.12     -         Other Ventures
Schedule 4.13     -         Taxes
Schedule 4.14     -         Litigation
Schedule 4.15     -         Brokers
Schedule 4.16     -         Employment Contracts
Schedule 4.17     -         Patents, Trademarks, Etc.
Schedule 4.19     -         ERISA
Schedule 4.20     -         Registration Rights
Schedule 4.22     -         Insurance
Schedule 5.2(d)   -         Employee Loans
Schedule 5.2(f)   -         Transactions with Affiliates

Exhibits

Exhibit A                  Certificate of Designation-Convertible Preferred
                            Stock
Exhibit B                  Stockholders Agreement
Exhibit C                  Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit D                  Opinion of Company Counsel




                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                  PURCHASE AGREEMENT,  dated as of May 13, 1999, by and between
Transit Group, Inc., a Florida corporation having an office at 2859 Paces Ferry
Road, Suite 1740,  Atlanta,  Georgia 30339  ("Company"),  and GE Capital Equity
Investments,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  having an office at 120 Long Ridge
Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06927 ("GE Capital" or "Purchaser").

                             W I T N E S S E T H :

                  WHEREAS,  Company has agreed to issue and sell to  Purchaser,
and  Purchaser  has  agreed  to  purchase  from  Company,  upon the  terms  and
conditions  hereinafter  provided,  5,000,000  shares  of  Company's  Series  A
Convertible Preferred Stock, no par value per share, the terms, preferences and
limitations  of which  are set  forth in  Exhibit  A hereto  (the  "Convertible
Preferred Stock");

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises and the
covenants hereinafter contained, it is agreed as follows:

                  DEFINITIONS

                  "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any Person,  (i) each
Person that, directly or indirectly, owns or controls, whether beneficially, or
as a  trustee,  guardian  or other  fiduciary,  5% or more of the Stock  having
ordinary  voting power in the  election of directors of such Person,  (ii) each
Person that  controls,  is controlled  by or is under common  control with such
Person or any Affiliate of such Person,  (iii) each of such Person's  officers,
directors,  joint  venturers and partners,  (iv) any trust or  beneficiary of a
trust of which such Person is the sole  trustee or (v) any lineal  descendants,
ancestors,  spouse or former spouses (as part of a marital dissolution) of such
Person (or any trust for the benefit of such  Person).  For the purpose of this
definition,  "control"  of a Person  shall  mean the  possession,  directly  or
indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause the direction of its management or
policies,  whether through the ownership of voting  securities,  by contract or
otherwise.

                  "Balance Sheet" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.7(a) hereof.

                  "Business  Day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday,  a
Sunday or a day on which banks are  required or  permitted  to be closed in the
State of New York.

                  "Capital  Expenditures" shall mean all payments for any fixed
assets or improvements or for replacements, substitutions or additions thereto,
that have a useful  life of more than one year and  which  are  required  to be
capitalized under GAAP.

                  "Capital Lease" shall mean,  with respect to any Person,  any
lease of any  property  (whether  real,  personal  or mixed) by such  Person as
lessee that, in accordance with GAAP, either would be required to be classified
and  accounted  for as a  capital  lease on a balance  sheet of such  Person or
otherwise  be disclosed  as a capital  lease in a note to such  balance  sheet,
other than, in the case of Company or a Subsidiary  of Company,  any such lease
under which Company or such Subsidiary is the lessor.

                  "Capital Lease  Obligation"  shall mean,  with respect to any
Capital Lease,  the amount of the obligation of the lessee  thereunder that, in
accordance with GAAP, would appear on a balance sheet of such lessee in respect
of such  Capital  Lease or  otherwise  be  disclosed  in a note to such balance
sheet.

                  "Cash   Equivalents"   shall  mean  (i)   marketable   direct
obligations  issued  or  unconditionally  guaranteed  by the  United  States of
America  or any  agency  thereof  maturing  within  one  year  from the date of
acquisition thereof;  (ii) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from
the date of creation  thereof and at the time of their  acquisition  having the
highest rating obtainable from either Standard & Poor's  Corporation or Moody's
Investors Service,  Inc.; and (iii) certificates of deposit,  maturing not more
than one year from the date of creation  thereof,  issued by  commercial  banks
incorporated  under the laws of the  United  States  of  America,  each  having
combined  capital,  surplus and undivided profits of not less than $200,000,000
and having a rating of "A" or better by a nationally recognized rating agency.

                  "Certificate  of  Designation"  shall mean the Certificate of
Designation  setting  forth  the  rights  and  preferences  of the  Convertible
Preferred Stock attached as Exhibit A hereto.

                   "Charges"  shall  mean all  federal,  state,  county,  city,
municipal, local, foreign or other governmental (including, without limitation,
PBGC) taxes at the time due and payable, levies,  assessments,  charges, liens,
claims  or  encumbrances  upon  or  relating  to  (i)  Company's  or any of its
Subsidiaries'  employees,  payroll, income or gross receipts, (ii) Company's or
any of its  Subsidiaries'  ownership or use of any of its assets,  or (iii) any
other aspect of Company's or any of the Subsidiaries' business.

                  "Closing" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3
hereof.

                  "Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.3 hereof.

                  "COBRA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.19(m)
hereof.

                  "Common  Stock" shall mean the common  stock,  $.01 par value
per share, of Company.

                  "Compensation"  shall mean,  with respect to any Person,  all
payments  and  accruals  commonly  considered  to be  compensation,  including,
without limitation,  all wages, salary,  deferred payment  arrangements,  bonus
payments and  accruals,  profit  sharing  arrangements,  payments in respect of
stock  option  or  phantom   stock  option  or  similar   arrangements,   stock
appreciation  rights  or  similar  rights,   incentive  payments,   pension  or
employment  benefit  contributions or similar payments,  made to or accrued for
the account of such Person or otherwise  for the direct or indirect  benefit of
such Person.

                  "Convertible Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.

                  "Default"  shall mean any event  which,  with the  passage of
time or notice  or both,  would,  unless  cured or  waived,  become an Event of
Default.

                  "Environmental Laws" shall mean all federal,  state and local
laws, statutes,  ordinances and regulations, now or hereafter in effect, and in
each case as amended or  supplemented  from time to time,  and any  judicial or
administrative  interpretation  thereof,  including,  without  limitation,  any
applicable  judicial  or  administrative  order,  consent  decree or  judgment,
relative  to  the  applicable  Real  Estate,  relating  to the  regulation  and
protection of human  health,  safety,  the  environment  and natural  resources
(including,  without  limitation,  ambient  air,  surface  water,  groundwater,
wetlands,  land surface or subsurface  strata,  wildlife,  aquatic  species and
vegetation).   Environmental   Laws   include   but  are  not  limited  to  the
Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980,
as amended (42 U.S.C.  ss. 9601 et seq.)  ("CERCLA");  the  Hazardous  Material
Transportation  Act,  as amended  (49 U.S.C.  ss.  1801 et seq.);  the  Federal
Insecticide,  Fungicide,  and Rodenticide  Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. ss. 136 et
seq.);  the Resource  Conservation  and Recovery Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. ss.
6901 et seq.) ("RCRA");  the Toxic Substance Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C.
ss. 2601 et seq.);  the Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C.  ss. 740 et seq.);
the Federal  Water  Pollution  Control  Act, as amended (33 U.S.C.  ss. 1251 et
seq.); the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended (29 U.S.C. ss. 651 et
seq.) ("OSHA"); and the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. ss. 300f
et seq.), and any and all regulations promulgated thereunder, and all analogous
state and local  counterparts  or  equivalents  and any  transfer of  ownership
notification or approval statutes.

                  "Environmental   Liabilities   and  Costs"   shall  mean  all
liabilities, obligations, responsibilities,  remedial actions, losses, damages,
punitive damages,  consequential  damages,  treble damages,  costs and expenses
(including,  without  limitation,  all  fees,  disbursements  and  expenses  of
counsel,  experts and  consultants and costs of  investigation  and feasibility
studies), fines, penalties,  sanctions and interest incurred as a result of any
claim,  suit,  action or  demand by any  person  or  entity,  whether  based in
contract,  tort,  implied or express warranty,  strict  liability,  criminal or
civil statute or common law (including, without limitation, any thereof arising
under any Environmental  Law, permit,  order or agreement with any Governmental
Authority) and which relate to any health or safety  condition  regulated under
any Environmental Law or in connection with any other  environmental  matter or
Spill or the  presence  of a hazardous  substance  or  threatened  Spill of any
Hazardous Substance.

                  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security
Act of 1974 (or any  successor  legislation  thereto),  as amended from time to
time and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  "ERISA  Affiliate"  shall mean, with respect to Company,  any
trade or business  (whether or not  incorporated)  under  common  control  with
Company and which,  together  with  Company,  are treated as a single  employer
within the meaning of Sections  414(b),  (c), (m) or (o) of the IRC,  excluding
Purchaser  and each  other  person  which  would not be an ERISA  Affiliate  if
Purchaser did not own any issued and outstanding shares of Stock of Company.

                  "Event of Default" shall mean the occurrence of any breach of
any  representation or warranty in any material  respect,  or any breach of any
covenant or agreement of Company under this Agreement, which in the case of the
covenants set forth in Section 5.1 (other than  Sections  (f)(iii) and (iv)) of
this  Agreement  remain  uncured for a period of twenty  days after  receipt by
Company of written notice thereof by the Required Holders,  but only during the
continuance of such breach.

                  "Exchange  Act" shall  mean the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934, as amended, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  "Fair  Market  Value"  shall mean the amount  which a willing
buyer would pay a willing seller in an arm's-length  transaction,  with neither
being under any compulsion to buy or sell.

                  "Financials" shall mean the financial statements referred to
in Section 4.7(a) hereof.

                  "Fiscal  Year"  shall mean the  twelve  month  period  ending
December 31. Subsequent  changes of the fiscal year of Company shall not change
the term "Fiscal Year," unless the Required Holders shall consent in writing to
such changes.

                  "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States of America as in effect from time to time.

                  "Governmental Authority" shall mean any nation or government,
any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any agency, department or
other  entity  exercising  executive,  legislative,   judicial,  regulatory  or
administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

                  "Guaranteed  Indebtedness"  shall mean, as to any Person, any
obligation of such Person guaranteeing any Indebtedness,  lease,  dividend,  or
other obligation ("primary  obligations") of any other Person, other than, with
respect  to  Company,  a  Subsidiary  (the  "primary  obligor"),  in any manner
including, without limitation, any obligation or arrangement of such Person (a)
to purchase or repurchase any such primary obligation, (b) to advance or supply
funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (ii) to
maintain  working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise
to maintain  the net worth or solvency or any balance  sheet  condition  of the
primary obligor, (c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for
the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability
of the primary  obligor to make payment of such primary  obligation,  or (d) to
indemnify the owner of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

                  "HSR  Act"   shall  mean  the   Hart-Scott-Rodino   Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

                  "Indebtedness"  of any Person shall mean (i) all indebtedness
of such  Person  for  borrowed  money  or for the  deferred  purchase  price of
property or services  (including,  without  limitation,  reimbursement  and all
other obligations with respect to surety bonds,  letters of credit and bankers'
acceptances,  whether or not matured,  but not including  obligations  to trade
creditors  incurred in the ordinary  course of business),  (ii) all obligations
evidenced  by  notes,  bonds,  debentures  or  similar  instruments,  (iii) all
indebtedness  created  or arising  under any  conditional  sale or other  title
retention  agreements  with  respect to property  acquired by such Person (even
though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such  agreement in
the event of default are  limited to  repossession  or sale of such  property),
(iv) all Capital Lease Obligations,  (v) all Guaranteed Indebtedness,  (vi) all
Indebtedness  referred to in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above secured
by (or for  which  the  holder  of such  Indebtedness  has an  existing  right,
contingent  or  otherwise,  to be  secured  by) any  Lien  upon or in  property
(including,  without  limitation,  accounts and contract  rights) owned by such
Person,  even  though  such  Person has not  assumed  or become  liable for the
payment of such Indebtedness and (vii) all liabilities under Title IV of ERISA.

                  "IRC"  shall  mean the  Internal  Revenue  Code of  1986,  as
amended, and any successor thereto.

                  "IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service, or any
successor thereto.

                  "Lien"  shall  mean any  mortgage  or deed of trust,  pledge,
hypothecation,  assignment,  deposit arrangement, lien, charge, claim, security
interest,  easement or encumbrance,  or preference,  priority or other security
agreement or similar preferential  arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including,  without limitation,  any title retention agreement,  any financing
lease having  substantially  the same economic  effect as any of the foregoing,
and the filing of, or agreement to give, any financing  statement  perfecting a
security  interest as to assets owned by the relevant  Person under the Uniform
Commercial Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction).

                  "Material  Adverse Effect" shall mean material adverse effect
on the business, assets, operations,  prospects or financial or other condition
of Company and its Subsidiaries, if any, taken as a whole.

                  "Material  Contracts"  means  (i)  all of  Company's  and its
Subsidiaries'  contracts,  agreements,  leases  or other  instruments  to which
Company  or any  of its  Subsidiaries  is a  party  or by  which  Company,  its
Subsidiaries  or its  properties  are bound,  which  involve  payments by or to
Company or its Subsidiaries of more than $500,000 or which extend for a term of
more than a year from the date  hereof,  other than shipper  contracts  entered
into in the ordinary  course of business  which are terminable on not more than
90 days notice,  (ii) all of Company's and its  Subsidiaries'  loan agreements,
bank lines of credit agreements,  indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, pledge
and security  agreements,  factoring  agreements,  conditional sales contracts,
letters of credit or other debt instruments in excess of $1,000,000,  (iii) all
material  operating or capital  leases for equipment to which Company or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party in excess of $1,000,000,  (iv) all  non-competition
and similar  agreements to which Company is a party,  (v) all contracts for the
employment  of  any  officer  or  employee  of  Company,  (vi)  any  Guaranteed
Indebtedness  by the  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,  and (vii) all other
material contracts not made in the ordinary course of business.

                  "Multiemployer  Plan"  shall mean a  "multiemployer  plan" as
defined  in  Section  4001(a)(3)  of ERISA,  and to which  Company,  any of its
Subsidiaries or any ERISA  Affiliate is making,  is obligated to make, has made
or been obligated to make,  contributions  on behalf of participants who are or
were employed by any of them.

                  "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or
 any successor thereto.

                  "Pension Plan" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.19(a) hereof.

                  "Permitted  Acquisitions"  means  any  acquisition  permitted
under Section 5.2 or approved by the Required Holders as provided therein.

                  "Permitted  Indebtedness"  means, with respect to Company and
its  Subsidiaries,  (i) taxes or assessments or other  governmental  charges or
levies, either not yet due and payable or to the extent that nonpayment thereof
is permitted by the terms of this Agreement;  (ii) obligations  under workmen's
compensation,  unemployment insurance, social security or public liability laws
or similar  legislation;  (iii) bids, tenders,  contracts (other than contracts
for the payment of money) or leases to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is a party as lessee made in the ordinary  course of  business;  (iv) public or
statutory  obligations of Company or any of its Subsidiaries;  (v) all deferred
taxes and (vi) all  unfunded  pension  fund and  other  employee  benefit  plan
obligations and liabilities but only to the extent permitted to remain unfunded
under applicable law.

                  "Person"  shall  mean any  individual,  sole  proprietorship,
partnership,  limited liability company, joint venture,  trust,  unincorporated
organization,    association,    corporation,   institution,   public   benefit
corporation,  entity or  government  (whether  federal,  state,  county,  city,
municipal or otherwise,  including,  without limitation,  any  instrumentality,
division, agency, body or department thereof).

                  "Plan" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.19(a)
hereof.

                  "Registration  Rights  Agreement" shall mean the Registration
Rights  Agreement by and between  Company and Purchaser,  substantially  in the
form  attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  C,  as  such  agreement  may  be  amended,
supplemented  or otherwise  modified from time to time in  accordance  with the
terms thereof.

                  "Required  Holders"  shall mean  Persons  who hold at least a
majority of the outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock.

                  "Restricted  Payment"  shall mean (i) the  declaration of any
dividend  or the  incurrence  of any  liability  to make any other  payment  or
distribution  of cash or other property or assets in respect of Company's Stock
or (ii) any payment on account of the purchase,  redemption or other retirement
of Company's Stock or any other payment or distribution  made in respect of any
Stock of  Company,  either  directly or  indirectly,  but shall not include the
redemption  of  shares of  Common  Stock by  Company  pursuant  to  contractual
commitments in effect on the date hereof.

                  "Retiree  Welfare  Plan"  shall  refer  to any  Welfare  Plan
providing  for  continuing  coverage or  benefits  for any  participant  or any
beneficiary  of  a  participant   after  such   participant's   termination  of
employment, other than continuation coverage provided pursuant to Section 4980B
of the IRC and at the sole expense of the participant or the beneficiary of the
participant.

                  "SEC" shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,
or any successor thereto.

                  "Securities  Act" shall mean the  Securities  Act of 1933, as
amended, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  "Spill" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.10.

                  "Stock" shall mean all shares, options,  warrants, general or
limited partnership  interests,  limited liability company membership interest,
participations or other  equivalents  (regardless of how designated) of or in a
corporation,  partnership,  limited  liability  company  or  equivalent  entity
whether  voting or  nonvoting,  including,  without  limitation,  common stock,
preferred  stock,  or any other  "equity  security" (as such term is defined in
Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and  Regulations  promulgated by the SEC under
the Exchange Act).

                  "Stockholders   Agreement"   shall   mean  the   Stockholders
Agreement by and among  Company,  Purchaser and each of the other  stockholders
party thereto,  substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, as such
agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Subsidiary"  shall mean, with respect to any Person, (a) any
corporation  of which an  aggregate of more than 50% of the  outstanding  Stock
having  ordinary  voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of
such  corporation  (irrespective  of whether,  at the time,  Stock of any other
class or classes of such  corporation  shall have or might have voting power by
reason  of the  happening  of any  contingency)  is at the  time,  directly  or
indirectly,  owned  legally or  beneficially  by such Person and/or one or more
Subsidiaries  of such Person,  and (b) any partnership or other entity in which
such  Person  and/or  one or more  Subsidiaries  of such  Person  shall have an
interest  (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital
contribution) of more than 50%.

                  "Transaction  Documents"  shall  mean  this  Agreement,   the
Certificate of Designation,  the  Stockholders  Agreement and the  Registration
Rights Agreement.

                  "Welfare  Plan"  shall mean any welfare  plan,  as defined in
Section 3(1) of ERISA, which is maintained or contributed to by Company, any of
its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate.

                  "Year 2000  Compliant"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in
Section 4.25 hereof.

                  References  to this  "Agreement"  shall  mean  this  Purchase
Agreement,  including all  amendments,  modifications  and  supplements and any
exhibits or schedules to any of the foregoing, and shall refer to the Agreement
as the same may be in effect at the time such reference becomes operative.

                  Any accounting term used in this Agreement shall have, unless
otherwise specifically provided herein, the meaning customarily given such term
in accordance  with GAAP,  and all financial  computations  hereunder  shall be
computed,  unless otherwise  specifically  provided herein,  in accordance with
GAAP  consistently  applied.  That certain terms or computations are explicitly
modified by the phrase "in  accordance  with GAAP" shall in no way be construed
to limit the foregoing.  The words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other
words of similar  import  refer to this  Agreement  as a whole,  including  the
Exhibits and  Schedules  hereto,  as the same may from time to time be amended,
modified or  supplemented,  and not to any  particular  section,  subsection or
clause  contained  in this  Agreement.  Wherever  from the  context  it appears
appropriate,  each term stated in either the singular or plural  shall  include
the singular and the plural, and pronouns stated in the masculine,  feminine or
neuter gender shall  include the  masculine,  the feminine and the neuter.  Any
reference  to the  "knowledge"  of Company or its  Subsidiaries  shall mean the
actual  knowledge  of any of the officers or chairman of the board of directors
of Company.

      THE PURCHASE OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

1.1. . Prior to the Closing,  Company shall have duly  authorized  the issuance
and sale to Purchaser of the number of shares of  Convertible  Preferred  Stock
set forth in Section 2.2 below.

                  .  Subject  to the  terms  and  conditions  set forth in this
Agreement,  Purchaser  agrees to subscribe for and purchase  from Company,  and
Company agrees to issue and sell to Purchaser, on the Closing Date an aggregate
of  5,000,000  shares of  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  containing  the terms,
preferences and limitations set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement.

                  The  aggregate  purchase  price for the  aggregate  number of
shares  subscribed  for by  Purchaser  is  $25,000,000,  payable in full on the
Closing Date.

                  . The  closing of the  purchase  and sale of the  Convertible
Preferred  Stock (the  "Closing")  shall take place within five  Business  Days
after the  satisfaction  or waiver of the  conditions  set forth in  Article VI
hereof or such  date and time as shall be  mutually  agreed  to by the  parties
hereto (the "Closing  Date") at the offices of Weil,  Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767
Fifth  Avenue,  New York,  New York,  or such other  place as shall be mutually
agreed to by the parties hereto.

                  On the Closing  Date,  Company  will  deliver to  Purchaser a
certificate  representing  the  Convertible  Preferred Stock to be purchased by
Purchaser  registered  in such  names and in such  denominations  as  Purchaser
requests  against  delivery by Purchaser of the purchase price therefor by wire
transfer of funds to the account of Company.

                  .  Company  shall  use  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the
Convertible Preferred Stock to finance acquisitions and provide for its working
capital, including repayment of revolving credit indebtedness.

      PURCHASER'S REPRESENTATIONS

                  Purchaser makes the following  representations and warranties
to Company,  each and all of which shall  survive the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the Closing hereunder:

1.2. . Purchaser is  purchasing  the  Convertible  Preferred  Stock for its own
account,  for  investment  purposes  and not  with a view  to the  distribution
thereof.  Purchaser will not, directly or indirectly,  offer,  transfer,  sell,
assign,  pledge,  hypothecate  or otherwise  dispose of any of the  Convertible
Preferred Stock (or solicit any offers to buy,  purchase,  or otherwise acquire
any  of the  Convertible  Preferred  Stock),  except  in  compliance  with  the
Securities Act.

                  .  Purchaser  is an  "accredited  investor"  (as that term is
defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities  Act) and by reason of
its business and financial  experience,  it has such knowledge,  sophistication
and experience in business and financial matters as to be capable of evaluating
the  merits  and  risks  of the  prospective  investment,  is able to bear  the
economic risk of such  investment and is able to afford a complete loss of such
investment.  Purchaser has had the opportunity to ask such questions of Company
and to review such documents and information as Purchaser  deemed  necessary in
connection with the purchase of the Convertible Preferred Stock.

                  .  Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation.

1.3. . The execution,  delivery and  performance by Purchaser of this Agreement
and the other  Transaction  Documents  to be  executed  by it:  (i) are  within
Purchaser's  corporate  power;  (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate  action;   (iii)  are  not  in  contravention  of  any  provision  of
Purchaser's  certificate of incorporation or by-laws; and (iv) will not violate
any law or  regulation,  or any order or  decree  of any court or  governmental
instrumentality binding on Purchaser.  This Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents  to which  Purchaser  is a party  have each been  duly  executed  and
delivered by Purchaser and constitute the legal, valid and binding  obligations
of Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms,
subject  to   applicable   bankruptcy,   insolvency,   fraudulent   conveyance,
reorganization,  moratorium  and similar laws affecting  creditors'  rights and
remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of
equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness,  good faith and fair
dealing  (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or
in equity).

1.4. Restricte.  Purchaser  understands that the Convertible Preferred Stock as
well as the  shares  of Common  Stock  issuable  upon  conversion  thereof  are
restricted  securities  under the federal  securities laws inasmuch as they are
being  acquired in a  transaction  not  involving a public  offering and may be
resold only in certain limited circumstances.

1.5. Brokers . Purchaser has no contract, arrangement or understanding with any
broker,  finder or similar agent with respect to the transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement.

      COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  Company makes the following representations and warranties to
each Purchaser,  each and all of which shall survive the execution and delivery
of this  Agreement  and the Closing  hereunder,  subject to the  provisions  of
Section 8.1 hereof:

                  . After giving effect to the Closing,  the authorized capital
stock of Company consists of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value
per  share,  of  which  26,046,701  shares  are  issued  and  outstanding,  and
20,000,000  shares  of  preferred  stock,  no par  value  per  share,  of which
5,000,000 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock will be issued and outstanding.
All of such  issued  and  outstanding  shares,  including,  without  limitation
(subject to the filings  referred to in Section  4.6(vii)(A)),  the Convertible
Preferred  Stock,  are validly  issued,  fully paid and  non-assessable,  after
payment in full of the purchase price referred to in Section 2.2. Except as set
forth  on  Schedule  4.1,  (i)  there is no  existing  option,  warrant,  call,
commitment or other agreement to which Company is a party requiring,  and there
are no  convertible  securities of Company  outstanding  which upon  conversion
would  require,  the issuance of any  additional  shares of Stock of Company or
other securities convertible into shares of equity securities of Company, other
than the Convertible Preferred Stock, and (ii) there are no agreements to which
Company is a party or, to the knowledge of Company, to which any stockholder or
warrant holder of Company is a party, with respect to the voting or transfer of
the Stock of  Company,  other than the  Stockholders  Agreement.  Except as set
forth on Schedule 4.1, there are no stockholders'  preemptive  rights or rights
of first refusal or other similar  rights with respect to the issuance of Stock
by Company, other than pursuant to the Transaction Documents.  True and correct
copies of the  articles  of  incorporation  and  by-laws of  Company  have been
delivered to Purchaser.

1.6. . The issuance of the Convertible Preferred Stock has been duly authorized
by all necessary  corporate action on the part of Company and, upon delivery to
Purchaser of certificates therefor against payment in accordance with the terms
hereof, the Convertible Preferred Stock will have been validly issued and fully
paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all pledges, liens, encumbrances and
preemptive  rights.  The issuance of shares of Common Stock upon  conversion of
the  Convertible  Preferred  Stock has been duly  authorized  by all  necessary
corporate action on the part of Company and, when issued upon conversion of the
Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  such Common Stock will have been validly issued
and fully paid and  non-assessable.  Company has duly reserved 5,000,000 shares
of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Preferred
Stock.

1.7.  Securitie.  In reliance on the  investment  representations  contained in
Sections 3.1 and 3.2, the offer, issuance, sale and delivery of the Convertible
Preferred   Stock,  as  provided  in  this  Agreement,   are  exempt  from  the
registration  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  and all  applicable  state
securities  laws,  and are  otherwise  in  compliance  with such laws.  Neither
Company  nor any Person  acting on its behalf has taken or will take any action
(including, without limitation, any offering of any securities of Company under
circumstances  which would  require the  integration  of such offering with the
offering of the  Convertible  Preferred  Stock under the Securities Act and the
rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder)  which might subject the offering,
issuance  or  sale  of the  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  to the  registration
requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act.

1.8.  Corporate.  Company  and  each  of its  Subsidiaries,  if  any,  (i) is a
corporation  duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good standing under the
laws of the  State  of  Florida  in the  case of  Company  and as set  forth on
Schedule  4.5 in the  case of its  Subsidiaries;  (ii) is duly  qualified  as a
foreign  corporation  and in good standing under the laws of each  jurisdiction
where  its  ownership  or lease of  property  or the  conduct  of its  business
requires such qualification  (except for jurisdictions in which such failure to
so qualify or to be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect);
(iii) has the  requisite  corporate  power and authority and the legal right to
own,  pledge,  mortgage or otherwise  encumber and operate its  properties,  to
lease the property it operates under lease,  and to conduct its business as now
being conducted; (iv) has, or has applied for, all material licenses,  permits,
certificates,  consents  or  approvals  from or by,  and has made all  material
filings  with,  and  has  given  all  material  notices  to,  all  Governmental
Authorities  having  jurisdiction,  to the extent  required for such ownership,
operation  and conduct  including,  but not limited to,  those  required by the
Department  of  Transportation  or  any  other  Governmental  Authority  having
jurisdiction  over interstate,  intrastate or international  transportation  of
goods by trucks;  (v) is in  compliance  with its  certificate  or  articles of
incorporation  and  by-laws;  and (vi) is in  compliance  with  all  applicable
provisions of law,  including,  but not limited to, regulations  promulgated by
the   Department  of   Transportation   and  analogous   state  and  provincial
requirements,  except for such  non-compliance  which would not have a Material
Adverse Effect.

1.9. Subsidiar.  There currently exist no Subsidiaries of Company other than as
set forth on Schedule 4.5 hereto, which sets forth such Subsidiaries,  together
with their respective  jurisdictions  of  organization,  and the authorized and
outstanding  capital  Stock of each such  Subsidiary,  by class and  number and
percentage  of each class  owned by Company or a  Subsidiary  of Company or any
other  Person.  There are no options,  warrants,  rights to purchase or similar
rights covering capital Stock for any such Subsidiary.

1.10.  Corporate.  The execution,  delivery and  performance by Company of this
Agreement,  the  other  Transaction  Documents  to which it is a party  and all
instruments and documents to be delivered by Company,  the issuance and sale of
the Convertible  Preferred Stock and the consummation of the other transactions
contemplated by any of the foregoing:  (i) are within Company's corporate power
and  authority;  (ii) have  been duly  authorized  by all  necessary  or proper
corporate action;  (iii) are not in contravention of any provision of Company's
articles  of  incorporation  or  by-laws;  (iv)  will  not  violate  any law or
regulation,  or  any  order  or  decree  known  to  Company  of  any  court  or
governmental  instrumentality;  (v) will not  conflict  with or  result  in the
breach  or  termination  of,  constitute  a  default  under or  accelerate  any
performance  required  by,  any  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  lease,
agreement or other  instrument to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party or by which Company,  any of its Subsidiaries or any of their property is
bound;  (vi) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any
of the property of Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (vii) do not require
the consent or approval of, or any filing with, any  Governmental  Authority or
any other  Person  (except  (A) for the  filing of an  amendment  to  Company's
articles of  incorporation  to  authorize  additional  shares of Common  Stock,
preferred stock, and the Convertible Preferred Stock, substantially in the form
of the  Certificate  of  Designation,  (B) for those  filings  required  by the
Registration Rights Agreement,  (C) compliance with the applicable requirements
of the HSR Act,  (D) the approval by the holders of the Common Stock of Company
of such  amendment to Company's  articles of  incorporation,  (E) to the extent
previously obtained or made and (F) as set forth in Schedule 4.6 hereto). At or
prior to the Closing Date,  each of this  Agreement  and the other  Transaction
Documents shall have been duly executed and delivered by Company and each shall
then constitute a legal, valid and binding  obligation of Company,  enforceable
against it in  accordance  with its terms,  subject to  applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,  moratorium and similar laws
affecting  creditors'  rights  and  remedies  generally,  and  subject,  as  to
enforceability,  to general  principles  of  equity,  including  principles  of
commercial  reasonableness,  good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether
enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity), and an amendment to
Company's   articles  of   incorporation   containing  the  provisions  of  the
Certificate  of  Designation  shall have been duly filed with the  Secretary of
State of the State of Florida.

                  . 1.11. The audited  consolidated balance sheet of Company as
at December 31, 1998,  and the related  consolidated  statements of operations,
changes in Total Nonredeemable  Preferred Stock, Common Stock and Stockholders'
Equity  and cash flows for the year then  ended,  with the  opinion  thereon of
PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP, and the  unaudited  consolidated  balance sheet of
Company as at March 31, 1999 (the  "Balance  Sheet") and the related  unaudited
consolidated statements of operations, changes in Total Nonredeemable Preferred
Stock,  Common  Stock and  Stockholders'  Equity  and cash  flows for the three
months then ended, copies of which have previously been delivered to Purchaser,
have been prepared in conformity with GAAP consistently  applied throughout the
periods  involved and present fairly in all material  respects the consolidated
financial  position of Company as at the dates  thereof,  and the  consolidated
results of its operations  and cash flows for the periods then ended,  subject,
in the case of the  interim  financial  statements,  to normal  year-end  audit
adjustments.

(a)  Except  as set  forth on  Schedule  4.7,  neither  Company  nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any material obligations,  contingent or otherwise, including,
without  limitation,  liabilities  for  Charges,  long-term  leases or  unusual
forward or long-term  commitments which are not reflected in the Balance Sheet,
other than those which are not  required by GAAP to be so  reflected  and those
incurred since March 31, 1999, in the ordinary course of business.

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule  4.7, no dividends  or other  distributions
have been  declared,  paid or made upon any shares of capital Stock of Company,
nor have any  shares  of  capital  Stock of  Company  been  redeemed,  retired,
purchased or otherwise acquired for value by Company in either case since March
31, 1999.  1.12. . (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8, neither Company nor
any of its  Subsidiaries  owns  any  real  estate.  Each  of  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries  has good and  marketable  and  insurable  fee simple title to its
owned real property, free and clear of all Liens, except those of an immaterial
customary  nature and  encumbrances of record which do not impair Company's use
thereof.  Each of  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  has  valid  and  marketable
leasehold interests in the leases described in Schedule 4.8 hereto, and, except
as set forth on Schedule 4.8, good and marketable  title to, or valid leasehold
interests  in, all of its other  properties  and  assets  free and clear of all
Liens.

(b) All real property  leased by Company and its  Subsidiaries  is set forth on
Schedule 4.8. Each of such leases is valid and  enforceable in accordance  with
its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization,  moratorium  and similar laws affecting  creditors'  rights and
remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of
equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness,  good faith and fair
dealing  (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or
in equity)) and is in full force and effect. Company has delivered to Purchaser
true and  complete  copies of each of such leases set forth on Schedule  4.8(b)
and all documents  affecting the rights or obligations of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries,   including,   without   limitation,   any   non-disturbance  and
recognition  agreements,  subordination  agreements,  attornment agreements and
agreements  regarding  the term or rental of any of the  leases.  Except as set
forth on Schedule 4.8,  none of Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  nor, to its
knowledge,  any other party to any such lease is in default of its  obligations
thereunder  or has  delivered or received any notice of default  under any such
lease, nor has any event occurred which, with the giving of notice, the passage
of time or both, would constitute a default under any such lease.

(c)  Except as  disclosed  on  Schedule  4.8,  neither  Company  nor any of its
Subsidiaries  is  obligated  under or a party to,  any  option,  right of first
refusal or any other  contractual right to purchase,  acquire,  sell, assign or
dispose of any real  property  owned or leased by  Company or such  Subsidiary.
1.13. . Schedule 4.9 contains a true, correct and complete list and description
of all  Material  Contracts.  Each  Material  Contract  is a valid and  binding
agreement  of  Company  or its  Subsidiaries  (as the case may be)  enforceable
against  Company or such  Subsidiary in accordance  with its terms  (subject to
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent  conveyance,   reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally,
and subject, as to enforceability,  to general principles of equity,  including
principles   of  commercial   reasonableness,   good  faith  and  fair  dealing
(regardless  of  whether  enforcement  is sought in a  proceeding  at law or in
equity)),  and neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has any knowledge
that any  Material  Contract is not a valid and binding  agreement  against the
other parties  thereto.  Company and each of its Subsidiaries has fulfilled all
material  obligations  required pursuant to the Material Contracts to have been
performed  by Company or such  Subsidiary  on its part.  Except as set forth in
Schedule  4.9,  neither  Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is in  material
default or breach, nor to Company's or such Subsidiary's knowledge is any third
party in default or breach, under or with respect to any Material Contract.

1.14. Environme. (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10, to Company's and its
Subsidiaries'  knowledge, all real property owned, leased or otherwise operated
by Company and its  Subsidiaries  (each, a "Facility") is free of contamination
from any substance,  waste or material (i) currently  identified to be toxic or
hazardous   pursuant  to,  or  which  may  result  in  liability   under,   any
Environmental  Law or (ii) within the definition of a substance  which is toxic
or hazardous under any Environmental Law, including,  without  limitation,  any
asbestos,   pcb,  radioactive   substance,   methane,   volatile  hydrocarbons,
industrial solvents,  oil or petroleum or chemical liquids or solids, liquid or
gaseous  products,  or any other material or substance which has in the past or
could at any time in the  future  cause or  constitute  a  health,  safety,  or
environmental  hazard to any Person or property or result in any  Environmental
Liabilities and Costs  ("Hazardous  Substance") of more than $100,000 or which,
in either case,  could have a Material  Adverse Effect.  Except as set forth on
Schedule  4.10,  to  Company's  knowledge,  neither  Company  nor  any  of  its
Subsidiaries  has caused or suffered to occur any  release,  spill,  migration,
leakage,  discharge,  spillage,  uncontrolled loss,  seepage,  or filtration of
Hazard  Substances  at or from any  Facility (a "Spill")  which could result in
Environmental Liabilities and Costs in excess of $100,000.

(b) Company and each Subsidiary has generated,  treated, stored and disposed of
any Hazardous Substances in full compliance with applicable Environmental Laws,
except for such non-compliances which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Company and each  Subsidiary  has  obtained,  or has applied for, and is in
full  compliance  with and in good standing  under all permits  required  under
Environmental  Laws (except for such  failures  which would not have a Material
Adverse  Effect)  and  neither  Company  nor  any of its  Subsidiaries  has any
knowledge  of any  proceedings  to  substantially  modify or to revoke any such
permit.  (d) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10, there are no investigations,
proceedings  or  litigation  pending  or,  to  Company's  or its  Subsidiaries'
knowledge,  threatened affecting or against Company, any of its Subsidiaries or
the Facilities  relating to  Environmental  Laws or Hazardous  Substances.  (e)
Except for  communications  in connection  with the matters  listed on Schedule
4.10,   neither  Company  nor  any  of  its   Subsidiaries   has  received  any
communication  or  notice   (including,   without   limitation,   requests  for
information)  indicating the potential of  Environmental  Liabilities and Costs
against  Company or its  Subsidiaries.  (f) Company has  provided to  Purchaser
copies of all environmental  and safety  investigations,  audits,  assessments,
sampling results and other reports relating to Company or any current or former
facilities that are in the possession,  custody or control of Company.  1.15. .
(a) There are no strikes or other labor disputes  against Company or any of its
Subsidiaries   pending  or,  to  Company's  or  its  Subsidiaries'   knowledge,
threatened.  Hours  worked by and payment  made to employees of Company and its
Subsidiaries  have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any
other  applicable law dealing with such matters.  All payments due from Company
and  each of its  Subsidiaries  on  account  of  employee  health  and  welfare
insurance  have been paid or accrued as a liability  on the books of Company or
such Subsidiary.  There is no organizing  activity  involving Company or any of
its  Subsidiaries  pending or, to  Company's  or its  Subsidiaries'  knowledge,
threatened   by  any  labor  union  or  group  of   employees.   There  are  no
representation  proceedings  pending  or,  to  Company's  or its  Subsidiaries'
knowledge,  threatened  with the National Labor Relations  Board,  and no labor
organization  or group of employees of Company or its  Subsidiaries  has made a
pending  demand for  recognition.  There are no complaints  or charges  against
Company  or  any  of  its   Subsidiaries   pending  or,  to  Company's  or  its
Subsidiaries' knowledge,  threatened to be filed with any federal, state, local
or foreign court,  governmental  agency or arbitrator based on, arising out of,
in connection  with, or otherwise  relating to the employment or termination of
employment by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any individual.

(b) Neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is, or during the five years
preceding  the date hereof was, a party to any labor or  collective  bargaining
agreement  and there are no labor or  collective  bargaining  agreements  which
pertain to employees of Company or its Subsidiaries.

1.16. . Except as set forth on Schedule  4.12,  neither  Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries  is engaged in any joint  venture  or  partnership  with any other
Person.

1.17. Taxes . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, all federal,  state,  local
and foreign tax returns, reports and statements required to be filed by Company
and its Subsidiaries  have been timely filed with the appropriate  Governmental
Authority and all such returns,  reports and statements  are true,  correct and
complete in all material  respects.  All material Charges and other impositions
due and payable for the periods covered by such returns, reports and statements
have been paid prior to the date on which any fine,  penalty,  interest or late
charge may be added thereto for nonpayment  thereof, or any such fine, penalty,
interest,  late charge or loss has been paid.  Proper and accurate amounts have
been  withheld  by Company  and its  Subsidiaries  from its  employees  for all
periods in full and  complete  compliance  with the tax,  social  security  and
unemployment  withholding  provisions of applicable  federal,  state, local and
foreign law and such  withholdings due and payable have been timely paid to the
respective governmental agencies. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.13, neither
Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has executed or filed with the IRS or any
other  Governmental  Authority any agreement or other  document  extending,  or
having the effect of extending,  the period for assessment or collection of any
Charges.  No tax audits or other  administrative  or judicial  proceedings  are
pending or to  Company's  knowledge  threatened  with regard to any Charges for
which  Company or any  Subsidiary  may be liable and Company  has not  received
notice that any  assessment  of Charges is proposed  against the Company or any
Subsidiary.  Neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has filed a consent
pursuant to IRC Section 341(f) or agreed to have IRC Section 341(f)(2) apply to
any  dispositions  of  subsection  (f)  assets  (as such term is defined in IRC
Section  341(f)(4)).  None  of the  property  owned  by  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries is property which such company is required to treat as being owned
by any other  Person  pursuant to the  provisions  of Section  168(f)(8) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended,  and in effect  immediately prior to
the  enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 or is  "tax-exempt  use  property"
within the  meaning  of IRC  Section  168(h).  Neither  Company  nor any of its
Subsidiaries  has agreed or has been requested to make any adjustment under IRC
Section 481(a) by reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise. Neither
Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has any obligation  under any written tax
sharing  agreement,  except for reimbursement of taxes to AmSouth Bank pursuant
to certain  Company  tax  indemnity  agreements.  1.18.  No  Litiga.  Except as
disclosed on Schedule  4.14, no action,  claim or proceeding is now pending or,
to the knowledge of Company or its Subsidiaries,  threatened against Company or
any of its  Subsidiaries,  at law,  in equity or  otherwise,  before any court,
board,  commission,  agency or instrumentality of any federal,  state, or local
government or of any agency or subdivision thereof, or before any arbitrator or
panel  of  arbitrators,  which  if  determined  adversely  to  Company  or  its
Subsidiaries would be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

1.19.  Brokers  . Except as set  forth on  Schedule  4.15,  no broker or finder
acting  on behalf  of  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  brought  about the
consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  pursuant to this Agreement and
neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to any Person in
respect of any  finder's  or  brokerage  fees (or any  similar  obligation)  in
connection with the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement.  Company is
solely responsible for the payment of all such finder's or brokerage fees.

1.20.    Employmen.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16, there are no
employment, consulting or management agreements covering officers of Company or
any of its Subsidiaries.

1.21.  Patents,  .  Company  and each of its  Subsidiaries  owns all  licenses,
patents,  patent  applications,   copyrights,  service  marks,  trademarks  and
registrations  and  applications  for  registration  thereof,  and trade  names
necessary to continue to conduct its business as heretofore conducted by it and
now being  conducted by it, each of which is listed,  together  with Patent and
Trademark Office or Copyright Office application or registration numbers, where
applicable,  on Schedule 4.17 hereto. To Company's knowledge,  Company and each
of its Subsidiaries  conducts its businesses  without  infringement or claim of
infringement of any license, patent, copyright,  service mark, trademark, trade
name, trade secret or other  intellectual  property right of others,  except as
set  forth  on  Schedule  4.17  hereto.  To  Company's  knowledge,  there is no
infringement  by  others  of any  license,  patent,  copyright,  service  mark,
trademark,  trade name,  trade secret or other  intellectual  property right of
Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  except  as set  forth on  Schedule  4.17
hereto.

1.22. No Materi. No event has occurred since December 31, 1998 which has had or
could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

1.23. ERISA . (a) Schedule 4.19 sets forth:  (i) all "employee  benefit plans",
as  defined  in  Section  3(3)  of  ERISA,   and  any  other  employee  benefit
arrangements or payroll practices,  including,  without  limitation,  severance
pay, sick leave,  vacation pay, salary continuation for disability,  consulting
or other compensation  agreements,  retirement,  deferred compensation,  bonus,
stock  purchase,   hospitalization,   medical  insurance,  life  insurance  and
scholarship  programs  (the  "Plans")  maintained  by  Company  and  any of its
Subsidiaries or to which Company or and of its  Subsidiaries  contributed or is
obligated to contribute  thereunder,  and (ii) all "employee pension plans", as
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (the "Pension Plans"),  maintained by Company,
any of its Subsidiaries or any of its ERISA Affiliates to which Company, any of
its Subsidiaries or any of its ERISA Affiliates  contributed or is obligated to
contribute thereunder.  None of the Pension Plans is a "defined benefit pension
plan" subject to Title IV of ERISA or a Multiemployer Plan.

(b) The Pension Plans intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the IRC are
so qualified and the trusts maintained pursuant thereto are exempt from federal
income  taxation  under  Section 501 of the IRC, and nothing has occurred  with
respect to the  operation  of the  Pension  Plans which could cause the loss of
such qualification or exemption or the imposition of any liability, penalty, or
tax under ERISA or the IRC.

(c) All  contributions  required  by law or  pursuant to the terms of the Plans
(without  regard to any waivers  granted  under  Section 412 of the IRC) to any
funds or trusts  established  thereunder or in connection  therewith  have been
made by the due date thereof  (including any valid extension).  (d) There is no
material  violation of ERISA with respect to the filing of applicable  reports,
documents,  and notices regarding the Plans with the Secretary of Labor and the
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  or  the  furnishing  of  such  documents  to  the
participants  or  beneficiaries  of the Plans.  (e) True,  correct and complete
copies of the following documents, with respect to each of the Plans, have been
made available or delivered to Purchaser by Company:  (A) any plans and related
trust  documents,  and  amendments  thereto,  (B) the most  recent  Forms  5500
(including any schedules thereto),  (C) the last IRS determination  letter, (D)
summary plan descriptions,  (E) written communications to employees relating to
the Plans and (F) written  descriptions of all non-written  agreements relating
to the Plans. (f) There are no pending  actions,  claims or lawsuits which have
been asserted or instituted  against the Plans, the assets of any of the trusts
under such Plans or the Plan sponsor or the Plan administrator,  or against any
fiduciary of the Plans with respect to the  operation of such Plans (other than
routine  benefit  claims),  nor does  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  have
knowledge  of facts  which  could form the basis for any such claim or lawsuit.
(g) All amendments and actions  required to bring the Plans into  conformity in
all material respects with all of the applicable  provisions of ERISA and other
applicable  laws  have  been  made or taken  except  to the  extent  that  such
amendments  or actions are not required by law to be made or taken until a date
after the Closing  Date.  (h) The Plans have been  maintained,  in all material
respects,  in  accordance  with their  terms and with all  provisions  of ERISA
(including rules and regulations  thereunder) and other applicable  Federal and
state  law,  and  neither  Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  or  "party in
interest" or  "disqualified  person" with respect to the Plans has engaged in a
"prohibited  transaction"  within the  meaning  of  Section  4975 of the IRC or
Section 406 of ERISA. (i) None of Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA
Affiliate  maintains  retired life and retired health insurance plans which are
Welfare  Plans and which  provide for  continuing  benefits or coverage for any
participant or any beneficiary of a participant except as may be required under
the  Consolidated  Omnibus  Budget  Reconciliation  Act  of  1985,  as  amended
("COBRA")  and  at  the  expense  of  the  participant  or  the   participant's
beneficiary.  Company,  all of its  Subsidiaries and all ERISA Affiliates which
maintains  a  Welfare  Plan  has  materially   complied  with  the  notice  and
continuation  requirements  of COBRA and the  regulations  thereunder.  1.24. .
Except as set forth in Schedule 4.20 hereto and as provided in the Registration
Rights  Agreement,  neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is under any
contractual  obligation  to  register,  under the  Securities  Act,  any of its
presently  outstanding  securities  or any  securities  which may  hereafter be
issued.

1.25.  SEC Docum.  Company has made  available to Purchaser a true and complete
copy of each report,  schedule,  registration  statement and  definitive  proxy
statement  filed by Company with the SEC since January 1, 1998 and prior to the
date of  this  Agreement  (the  "Company  SEC  Documents"),  which  are all the
documents (other than  preliminary  material) that Company was required to file
with the SEC since such date.  As of their  respective  dates,  the Company SEC
Documents  complied  in all  material  respects  with the  requirements  of the
Securities  Act or the  Exchange  Act,  as the case may be,  and the  rules and
regulations of the SEC thereunder applicable to such Company SEC Documents, and
none of the Company SEC Documents  contained any untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted  to state a  material  fact  required  to be stated  therein or
necessary to make the statements  therein,  in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.

1.26.  Ordinary . Except as set forth on  Schedule  4.7 or in  response  to the
events  described  therein,  since  December 31, 1998,  Company and each of its
Subsidiaries  has  conducted  its  operations  only in the  ordinary  course of
business consistent with past practice.

1.27.  Insurance.  Schedule 4.23 hereto contains a complete and correct list of
all  policies  of  insurance  of any kind or nature  covering  Company  and its
Subsidiaries,  including,  without  limitation,  policies of life, fire, theft,
employee  fidelity and other casualty and liability  insurance,  indicating the
type of coverage,  name of insured,  the insurer,  the premium,  the expiration
date of each policy and the amount of coverage,  and such  policies are in full
force and effect.  Complete  and  correct  copies of each such policy have been
furnished  or made  available to  Purchaser.  Such  policies  are, in Company's
judgment,  in  amounts  customary  for the  industry  in which  Company or such
Subsidiary operates.

1.28.  Minute Bo. The minute books of Company,  as previously made available to
Purchaser  accurately  reflect all formal  corporate action of the stockholders
and Board of Directors of Company.

1.29. Year 2000. (a) Each system comprised of software,  hardware, databases or
embedded  control  systems  (microprocessor  controlled  or  controlled  by any
robotic or other device) the  operational  failure of which would be reasonably
likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect  (collectively,  a "System") will
not be materially adversely affected by the advent of the year 2000, the advent
of the  twenty-first  century  or the  transition  from the  twentieth  century
through  the year 2000 and into the  twenty-first  century  and each  System of
Company and its  Subsidiaries  will be able to  accurately  process  date data,
including, but not limited to, calculating, comparing and sequencing from, into
and between the twentieth  century  (through year 1999),  the year 2000 and the
twenty-first century, including leap year calculations ("Year 2000 Compliant").
Company has no reason to believe that it or any of its  Subsidiaries  may incur
material  expenses  arising  from or  relating  to the  failure of any of their
Systems  as a  result  of the  advent  of the  year  2000,  the  advent  of the
twenty-first  century or the transition from the twentieth  century through the
year 2000 and into the twenty-first century.

(b) All vendors of products or services to Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,
the  operational  failure of which  would be  reasonably  likely to result in a
Material Adverse Effect, and such respective products, services and operations,
are (or prior to December 31, 1999, will be), to the knowledge of Company, Year
2000  Compliant.  To the  knowledge  of  Company  after a  reasonably  diligent
investigation,  each such  vendor  will  continue  to furnish  its  products or
services to Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, without interruption or
material delay, on and after January 1, 2000.

1.30. . No information contained in this Agreement or the schedules hereto, any
other  Transaction  Document or the  Financial  Statements  contains any untrue
statement  of a material  fact or omits to state a material  fact  necessary to
make the statements  contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances under which made.

      COVENANTS

1.31.  .  Company  covenants  and  agrees  that from and after the date  hereof
(except as otherwise provided herein, or unless the Required Holders have given
their  prior  written  consent)  so  long  as at  least  30% of the  shares  of
Convertible  Preferred  Stock issued on the Closing Date are outstanding and so
long as Purchaser and its Affiliates constitute the Required Holders:

(a) . Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, keep adequate records
and books of account with respect to their business activities, in which proper
entries, reflecting all of their financial transactions, are made in accordance
with GAAP.

(b)               .inancial and Business Information

(i) .  Commencing  with the month ending May 31, 1999,  Company will deliver to
Purchaser as soon as practicable  after the end of each month, but in any event
within 30 days thereafter, the information specified on Schedule 5.1(b) hereto.

(ii)  Quarterly  Informat.  Company  will  deliver  to  Purchaser  as  soon  as
practicable  after the end of each of the first three quarterly  fiscal periods
in each fiscal year of Company, but in any event within 45 days thereafter, (A)
an unaudited  consolidated  balance sheet of Company and its  Subsidiaries,  if
any, as at the end of such quarter, and (B) unaudited  consolidated  statements
of income, retained earnings and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries, if
any,  for such quarter and (in the case of the second and third  quarters)  for
the  portion of the fiscal  year ending  with such  quarter,  setting  forth in
comparative  form in each  case the  projected  consolidated  figures  for such
period and the actual  consolidated  figures for the  comparable  period of the
prior fiscal year.  Such  statements  shall be (1) prepared in accordance  with
GAAP  consistently  applied,  (2) in reasonable detail and (3) certified by the
principal financial or accounting officer of Company.

                           .  Company will deliver to Purchaser as soon as
practicable  after the end of each  fiscal  year of  Company,  but in any event
within 90 days thereafter, (A) an audited consolidated balance sheet of Company
and its  Subsidiaries,  if any,  as at the end of such  year,  and (B)  audited
consolidated  statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of Company
and its Subsidiaries,  if any, for such year; setting forth in comparative form
in each case the  projected  consolidated  figures for such year and the actual
consolidated  figures  for the  previous  year.  Such  statements  shall be (1)
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, (2) in reasonable detail
and  (3)  certified  by  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP  or  such  other  firm  of
independent  certified  public  accountants  of  recognized  national  standing
selected by Company and reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders.

                           .  Company will deliver to Purchaser, promptly upon
their becoming  available,  one copy of each report,  notice or proxy statement
sent by Company to its stockholders generally,  and of each regular or periodic
report  (pursuant  to  the  Exchange  Act)  and  any  registration   statement,
prospectus  or other  writing  (other  than  transmittal  letters)  (including,
without  limitation,  by electronic means) pursuant to the Securities Act filed
by Company with (i) the SEC or (ii) any securities  exchange on which shares of
capital Stock of Company are listed.

                           .  Company will deliver to Purchaser within 30 days
prior to the  beginning  of each  Fiscal  Year,  a final form of which shall be
delivered within 30 days after the beginning of each Fiscal Year:

(A)  draft   projected   consolidated   balance   sheets  of  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries, if any, for such Fiscal Year, on a monthly basis;

(B) draft  projected  consolidated  cash flow  statements  of  Company  and its
Subsidiaries,   if  any,   including  summary  details  of  cash  disbursements
(including for Capital Expenditures), for such Fiscal Year, on a monthly basis;
and (C) draft  projected  consolidated  income  statements  of Company  and its
Subsidiaries,  if any, for such Fiscal Year, on a monthly basis;  in each case,
approved  by the Board of  Directors  of  Company,  together  with  appropriate
supporting details.
                           .  If requested by Purchaser, Company will deliver
to  Purchaser  such  other  information  respecting  Company's  or  any  of its
Subsidiaries' business, financial condition or prospects as Purchaser may, from
time to time, reasonably request.

                           .  Subject to the first sentence of Section 5.1
hereof,  information  provided under this Section 5.1(b) which is not otherwise
publicly  available  shall  be  available  only to  Purchaser  and  Purchaser's
Affiliates  (other than  Affiliates who are direct  competitors of Company) who
are transferees of Convertible Preferred Stock.

(c) . Company authorizes Purchaser to communicate directly with its independent
certified public  accountants and tax advisors and authorizes those accountants
to disclose to Purchaser any and all financial  statements and other supporting
financial  documents and schedules  including  copies of any management  letter
with respect to the business,  financial condition and other affairs of Company
and any of its Subsidiaries; provided that Purchaser shall provide Company with
at least two Business Days prior written notice of its intention to communicate
directly with such  accountants  and shall permit Company to participate in any
such  communication with such accountants.  Any information  obtained from such
accountants  shall be available  only to Purchaser and  Purchaser's  Affiliates
(other  than  Affiliates  who  are  direct  competitors  of  Company)  who  are
transferees  of  Convertible  Preferred  Stock.  At or before the Closing Date,
Company shall deliver a letter  addressed to such  accountants and tax advisors
instructing them to comply with the provisions of this Section 5.1(c).

(d) . Company  shall pay all transfer,  excise or similar taxes (not  including
income or franchise taxes) in connection with the issuance,  sale,  delivery or
transfer by Company to Purchaser  of the  Convertible  Preferred  Stock and the
Common Stock issuable upon  conversion  thereof,  and shall  indemnify and save
Purchaser   harmless  without  limitation  as  to  time  against  any  and  all
liabilities  with respect to such taxes.  Company shall not be responsible  for
any taxes in connection with the transfer of the Convertible Preferred Stock or
such Common Stock by the holder thereof.  The obligations of Company under this
Section  5.1(d) shall  survive the payment,  prepayment  or  redemption  of the
Convertible Preferred Stock and the termination of this Agreement.

(e)  Insurance.  Company  shall and shall cause each  Subsidiary  of Company to
maintain insurance covering, without limitation,  fire, theft, burglary, public
liability,   property  damage,   product  liability,   workers'   compensation,
directors'  and  officers'  insurance  and insurance on all property and assets
material to the  operation of the  business,  all in amounts  customary for the
industry,   including  at  least  $30,000,000  in  excess  umbrella   liability
insurance.  Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay all
insurance  premiums  payable  by them.  Company  shall  maintain  key-man  life
insurance for Philip A. Belyew in an amount equal to at least $6,000,000.

(f) Employee . (i) With respect to other than a  Multiemployer  Plan,  for each
Plan and Pension Plan intended to be qualified  under Section 401(a) of the IRC
hereafter  adopted or maintained  by Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any
ERISA  Affiliate,  Company shall (A) seek, or cause its  Subsidiaries  or ERISA
Affiliates  to seek,  and  receive  determination  letters  from the IRS to the
effect  that such Plan or  Pension  Plan is  qualified  within  the  meaning of
Section 401(a) of the IRC; and (B) from and after the adoption of any such Plan
or Pension Plan,  cause such plan to be qualified within the meaning of Section
401(a) of the IRC and to be administered in all material respects in accordance
with the requirements of ERISA and Section 401(a) of the IRC.

(ii) With respect to each  Welfare  Plan  hereafter  adopted or  maintained  by
Company,  any of  its  Subsidiaries  or  any  ERISA  Affiliate,  to the  extent
applicable, Company shall comply, or cause its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates
to comply,  with the notice and continuation  coverage  requirements of Section
4980B of the IRC and the regulations thereunder.

(iii)  Company  shall not,  directly  or  indirectly,  and shall not permit its
Subsidiaries  or any ERISA  Affiliate to directly or indirectly by reason of an
amendment or  amendments  to, or the  adoption  of, one or more Pension  Plans,
permit the present value of all benefit liabilities,  as defined in Title IV of
ERISA, (using the actuarial  assumptions  utilized by the PBGC upon termination
of a plan) to exceed the fair market value of assets allocable to such benefits
by more than $250,000,  or to increase to the extent  security must be provided
to any Pension Plan under Section  401(a)(29) of the IRC.  Neither  Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries  shall establish or become obligated to any new Retiree
Welfare  Plan,  which would result in the present  value of future  liabilities
under  any such  plans  to  exceed  $250,000.  Neither  Company  nor any of its
Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates shall establish or become obligated to any new
unfunded  Pension  Plan,  which  would  result in the  present  value of future
liabilities under any such plans to exceed $250,000. Company shall not directly
or indirectly,  and shall not permit its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate to
(a) satisfy any liability  under any Pension Plan by purchasing  annuities from
an  insurance  company or (b) invest  the  assets of any  Pension  Plan with an
insurance company,  unless, in each case, such insurance company is rated AA by
Standard & Poor's  Corporation  and the  equivalent  by each  other  nationally
recognized  rating agency at the time of the investment.  (iv) Company,  any of
its  Subsidiaries  and any  ERISA  Affiliate  shall  not  contribute  or become
obligated to contribute to any  Multiemployer  Plan. (g) . Company  shall,  and
shall  cause  each of its  Subsidiaries  to,  comply  with all laws,  including
Environmental Laws,  applicable to it, except where the failure to comply would
not be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(h) Maintenan.  Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (i)
do or cause to be done all things  necessary to preserve and keep in full force
and effect its corporate existence, and its rights and franchises;  (ii) at all
times maintain,  preserve and protect all of its patents,  trademarks and trade
names, and preserve all the remainder of its material assets,  in use or useful
in the conduct of its business and keep the same in good repair,  working order
and condition (taking into consideration  ordinary wear and tear) and from time
to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals and
replacements,  betterments and  improvements  thereto  consistent with industry
practices;  provided,  however,  that Company shall not be required to register
trademarks  or pursue  litigation  if it  reasonably  determines  that the cost
thereof  would  outweigh  the  benefits;  and (iii)  continue to conduct only a
trucking  business and businesses  related to the business that Company and its
subsidiaries are engaged in on the date hereof.

(i) .  Company  shall  permit  representatives  of  Purchaser,  at  Purchaser's
expense,  to  visit  and  inspect  any of the  properties  of  Company  and its
Subsidiaries,  to  examine  the  corporate  books and make  copies or  extracts
therefrom and to discuss the affairs,  finances and accounts of Company and its
Subsidiaries  with the principal  officers of Company,  all at such  reasonable
times, upon reasonable notice and as often as Purchaser may reasonably request.

(j) Exchange . Company  will, at its expense,  promptly  upon  surrender of any
certificates  representing shares of Convertible  Preferred Stock at the office
of Company  referred to in, or  designated  pursuant  to,  Section 10.1 hereof,
execute  and deliver to  Purchaser  so  surrendering  such  certificates  a new
certificate  or  certificates  in  denominations  specified by Purchaser for an
aggregate  number of shares of Convertible  Preferred Stock equal to the number
of shares of such stock represented by the certificates surrendered.

(k) Lost, Sto. Upon receipt of evidence  reasonably  satisfactory to Company of
the loss,  theft,  destruction or mutilation of any  certificate  for shares of
Convertible  Preferred  Stock and, in the case of loss,  theft or  destruction,
upon delivery of an indemnity reasonably  satisfactory to Company (which may be
an  undertaking  by  Purchaser  to so  indemnify  Company),  or, in the case of
mutilation,  upon surrender and cancellation thereof,  Company will issue a new
certificate of like tenor for a number of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock
equal to the  number of shares of such  stock  represented  by the  certificate
lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

1.32.  .  Company  covenants  and  agrees  that from and after the date  hereof
(except as otherwise provided herein, or unless the Required Holders have given
their  prior  written  consent)  so  long  as at  least  30% of the  shares  of
Convertible  Preferred  Stock issued on the Closing Date are outstanding and so
long as Purchaser and its Affiliates constitute the Required Holders:

(a) . Company  shall not,  and shall not  permit  any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
directly or indirectly in any  transaction or related  series of  transactions,
acquire  (including  pursuant to a Capital Lease or operating  lease) or invest
in, whether for cash,  debt,  Stock, or other property or assets or by guaranty
of any  obligation,  any  assets  or  business  of any  Person  other  than (i)
acquisitions  of assets,  other than rolling stock,  in the ordinary  course of
business  of  Company  with  an  aggregate  purchase  price  of not  more  than
$5,000,000 in any Fiscal Year,  (ii)  acquisitions  by Company or  wholly-owned
Subsidiaries  of Company from Company or any such  wholly-owned  Subsidiary  or
investments  therein,  (iii)  acquisitions of all or  substantially  all of the
Stock,  assets or business of any Person, or a division  thereof,  involving an
aggregate  purchase  price  of not  more  than (A)  $10,000,000  in any  single
transaction,  or (B) $5,000,000 in cash,  purchase money debt of Company or one
of its'  Subsidiaries  (other than the Person  being  acquired) or loans in any
single  transaction,  (iv) acquisitions of rolling stock in the ordinary course
of business and (v) investments in Cash  Equivalents.  Purchaser shall have ten
Business  Days  from  the  date of  confirmed  receipt  of  written  notice  by
Purchaser's Observer (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) on the board of
directors  (or,  if there is no  Observer  or the  Observer  is  otherwise  not
available, of receipt of written notice in accordance with Section 10.1 hereof)
of Company's  request to conduct an  acquisition  (other than the  transactions
described in clauses  (i)-(v)  hereof) to consent or decline to consent to such
acquisition.  If Purchaser  fails to respond to such  request  within such time
period,  it shall be deemed to have  consented  to such  request.  For purposes
hereof,  the purchase  price of leased  property shall be its GAAP value in the
case of a Capital Lease,  and its Fair Market Value, as determined by Company's
Board of Directors,  in the case of an operating lease.  Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  invest in any Person if,  after
giving effect thereto, such Person would be an Affiliate, but not a Subsidiary,
of Company.

(b) Sales of . Company  shall  not,  and shall not  permit  any  Subsidiary  of
Company to, (i) sell,  transfer,  convey or otherwise  dispose of any assets or
properties  or (ii)  liquidate,  dissolve  or wind  up  Company,  or any of its
Subsidiaries,   except  for   transfers  to  Company,   whether   voluntary  or
involuntary;  provided,  however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (1) the
sale of  inventory  or  rolling  stock or  sale-leaseback  transactions  in the
ordinary course of business,  (2) the sale of surplus or obsolete equipment and
fixtures,  (3) transfers  resulting from any casualty or condemnation of assets
or properties,  or (4) sales involving an aggregate sale price of not more than
$1,000,000 in any single transaction.

(c) . Company shall not and shall not permit any  Subsidiary of Company to take
or omit to take any action, which act or omission would constitute a default or
an event of default under any agreement,  document or instrument to which it is
a party, after giving effect to any applicable cure period (a "Cross Default"),
(A) involving the failure to make any payment  (whether of principal,  interest
or  otherwise)  due  (whether  by  scheduled  maturity,   required  prepayment,
acceleration,  demand or otherwise) in respect of any  Indebtedness of the type
described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of the definition of  "Indebtedness" of
Company, which Indebtedness is in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000,000,  or
(B)  causing (or  permitting  any holder of such  Indebtedness  or a trustee to
cause) such  Indebtedness or a portion thereof in an aggregate amount exceeding
$1,000,000,  to  become  due  prior  to its  stated  maturity  or  prior to its
regularly scheduled dates of payment.

(d) . Company shall not and shall not permit any  Subsidiary of Company to make
or accrue any loans or other  advances  of money to any  employee of Company or
such Subsidiary, other than (i) loans in an aggregate amount outstanding not to
exceed $1,000,000 at any one time, (ii) loans outstanding on the date hereof as
set  forth  in  Schedule  5.2(d)  and  (iii)  loans  made  in  connection  with
acquisitions permitted under Section 5.2(a) hereof.

(e) Capital S. Company shall not issue or agree to issue any additional  shares
of Convertible  Preferred Stock, nor any Stock senior to or pari passu with the
Convertible Preferred Stock nor any securities  exchangeable for or convertible
into such Stock.

(f) Transacti. Company shall not and shall not permit any Subsidiary of Company
to enter into or be a party to any transaction with any Affiliate of Company or
such Subsidiary, except (i) transactions in existence on the date hereof as set
forth on Schedule 5.2(f) or expressly  permitted  hereby,  (ii) transactions in
the ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of Company's
or such Subsidiary's business and upon fair and reasonable terms that are fully
disclosed to Purchaser and are no less favorable to Company or such  Subsidiary
than would be obtained in a comparable  arm's-length  transaction with a Person
not an  Affiliate of Company or such  Subsidiary,  (iii)  transactions  between
Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or between such Subsidiaries and (iv)
payment of compensation to employees and directors' fees.

(g) Indebtedn. Company shall not and shall not permit any Subsidiary of Company
to incur or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except: (i) Indebtedness  existing
on the date hereof and listed on Schedule  4.9;  (ii)  Permitted  Indebtedness;
(iii) Indebtedness,  inclusive of Indebtedness referred to in clause (i) above;
provided  that at no time shall the ratio of  Company's  Indebtedness  plus the
Liquidation  Preference  (as such term is  defined  in  Company's  articles  of
incorporation) of the shares of outstanding  Convertible  Preferred Stock, plus
all declared or accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, to EBITDA be greater than
4.00:1.00,  determined  as of the last day of the  second  fiscal  quarter  and
Fiscal  Year for each Fiscal Year for the  twelve-month  period  ending on such
date;  or  (iv)  Indebtedness  owing  by  Company  to any  of its  wholly-owned
Subsidiaries  or by any of  Company's  wholly-owned  Subsidiaries  to any other
wholly-owned  Subsidiaries  or  Company.  Company  shall not incur or issue any
Indebtedness  which is convertible  into or  exchangeable  for Stock nor issued
together with Stock or warrants to acquire Stock.  For purposes of this Section
5.2(g),   "EBITDA"  shall  mean  the  consolidated   operating  income  (before
extraordinary items, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of Company
and its  Subsidiaries,  giving pro forma  effect to the  EBITDA of any  Persons
acquired by Company during the period for which the ratio is calculated,  as if
the  acquisition  was consummated on the first day of each twelve month period,
determined in accordance with GAAP.

(h) Restricte.  Company shall not, and shall not agree to, and shall not permit
any Subsidiary of Company to make, or agree to make,  any  Restricted  Payments
nor shall Company  permit any Subsidiary to make or agree to make such payments
with  respect to  Company's  Stock;  provided,  however,  that  Company may (i)
declare and pay cash  dividends  on the  Convertible  Preferred  Stock and (ii)
redeem the Convertible Preferred Stock in accordance with its terms.

(i) Mergers a. Neither  Company nor any  Subsidiaries of Company shall directly
or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise,  merge with, consolidate with,
or otherwise combine with any Person,  nor shall Company create any Subsidiary,
other than (i) the  creation  of  wholly-owned  Subsidiaries,  (ii)  mergers of
wholly-owned  Subsidiaries  of  Company  into  Company  or  any  other  of  its
wholly-owned  Subsidiaries or (iii) in connection with Permitted  Acquisitions;
provided that at all times  Company  shall be the surviving  entity of any such
combination;  provided,  however,  that  clauses  (i) and (ii) of this  Section
5.2(i) shall not apply to any Canadian Subsidiary of Company so long as Company
holds at least 80% of the voting and equity Stock of such Canadian Subsidiary.

(j) Amendment.  Company shall not  authorize,  adopt or approve an amendment to
the articles of incorporation  of Company or the by-laws of Company,  except to
increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock and as contemplated by
Section 4.6(vii) hereof.

1.33. . Upon the occurrence  and during the  continuance of an Event of Default
by  Company  (subject  to notice  and  opportunity  to cure as set forth in the
definition of Event of Default), in addition to any other remedies available at
law or in equity,  the  holders of the  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  shall be
entitled  to  elect  two  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of  Company  in
accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Designation.

1.34.  Certain  T. (a) In the event (i) of a Final  Determination  (as  defined
below)  that,  due to any  reason  (including  by reason of any of the terms of
Convertible  Preferred  Stock) other than an act or failure to act of Purchaser
(including by reason of the  application  of IRC Section  246(c) or IRC Section
246A) or Purchaser being other than a corporation, dividends paid or accrued or
deemed paid or accrued on the Convertible  Preferred Stock are not eligible for
the dividends received  deduction  provided under the Dividends  Deduction Laws
(as defined in Section 5.5 below) (the  "Dividends-Received  Deduction"),  (ii)
any Dividends  Deduction Law or any similar or corresponding state or local law
is amended to reduce or  eliminate or  otherwise  limit the  Dividends-Received
Deduction  available to  Purchaser  or (iii) any  dividend  with respect to the
Convertible  Preferred  Stock  does not  constitute,  in  whole  or in part,  a
dividend for federal income tax purposes or such dividend is subject to Section
1059 of the IRC (in either case, an "Excess  Distribution"),  Company shall pay
to Purchaser  with  respect to each such  dividend  payment,  no later than the
Payment Date (as defined below), an additional payment (the "Gross-Up Payment")
such that the net amount of Gross-Up Payment received and retained by Purchaser
after  payment by Purchaser of any federal,  state and local income tax payable
with respect to such Gross-Up  Payment shall equal,  in the case of (i) or (ii)
above,  the  difference  between (x) the  federal,  state and local  income tax
payable by Purchaser with respect to such dividend in its taxable year in which
the  dividend  was paid or  deemed  paid and (y) the  federal,  state and local
income tax which would have been  payable by  Purchaser  in its taxable year in
which the  dividend  was paid or deemed paid if the events  described in (i) or
(ii) had not  occurred and in the case of (iii) above,  an amount  which,  when
taken together with the aggregate  distributions  (whether treated as dividends
or Excess Distributions for federal income tax purposes) paid or deemed paid to
Purchaser during any taxable year, would cause Purchaser's net yield in dollars
(after taking into effect the federal income tax  consequences  of treating the
Excess  Distributions  received by Purchaser as capital gain  received upon the
taxable sale or exchange of Convertible Preferred Stock) to be equal to the net
yield in dollars  which would have been  received by Purchaser  had none of the
distributions  paid or  deemed  paid to  Purchaser  during  such  taxable  year
constituted  Excess  Distributions,  in all cases together with any interest or
penalties  actually  payable by  Purchaser  to the IRS or any other  applicable
taxing authority by reason of such events.

(b) A "Final  Determination"  shall mean (i) a  decision,  judgment,  decree or
other order by any court of competent jurisdiction,  which decision,  judgment,
decree or other order has become final or (ii) a closing agreement entered into
under  Section  7121  (or  any  successor  to such  Section)  of the IRC or any
corresponding  provision  of  state  or  local  law,  or any  other  settlement
agreement  entered  into in  connection  with  an  administrative  or  judicial
proceeding  and  consented to by  Purchaser  or any member of its  consolidated
group.  The "Payment Date" shall mean the date that is 90 days after the end of
the relevant taxable year.

(c) If Purchaser is notified  formally or informally of any audit,  examination
or  proceeding  by the IRS or any other  taxing  authority  with respect to the
availability  of the  Dividends-Received  Deduction,  Purchaser  shall promptly
notify Company of such audit,  examination or  proceeding;  provided,  however,
that Purchaser's  failure to give such notice or to keep Company fully informed
concerning a Contest (as defined below) shall not affect  Company's  obligation
to make Gross-Up Payments in accordance with this Section. Purchaser shall have
exclusive  control  and  responsibility  to  conduct  any  audit,  examination,
proceeding  or litigation  (a  "Contest")  with respect to such issue.  (d) All
subsequent holders of the Convertible  Preferred Stock shall be entitled to all
of the  benefits of this  Section;  provided  that any such  subsequent  holder
qualifies for the Dividends-Received  Deduction under the then current Dividend
Deductions  Laws at the time of its  acquisition of the  Convertible  Preferred
Stock.  1.35.  .  Company  will not (i) in any  income  tax return or claim for
refund of income tax or other  submission to the IRS or other taxing  authority
claim a deduction in respect of amounts paid or payable  under the  Convertible
Preferred  Stock,  whether  as  interest  or  pursuant  to any other  statutory
provisions or regulation now in effect or hereafter enacted or adopted,  except
to the extent  that any such  deduction  shall not,  in the  opinion of counsel
satisfactory to the Required Holders, operate to jeopardize the availability to
Purchaser of the dividends  received deduction provided by Section 243(a)(1) of
the IRC, or any successor  provision or any similar or corresponding  provision
under state or local law (collectively,  the "Dividends  Deduction Laws"), (ii)
in any report to stockholders,  or to any governmental body having jurisdiction
over Company or otherwise treat the  Convertible  Preferred Stock other than as
equity  capital or the dividends  paid thereon other than as dividends  paid on
equity  capital  unless  required  to  do  so  by a  governmental  body  having
jurisdiction  over the accounts of Company or by a change in GAAP required as a
result of action by an  authoritative  accounting  standards-setting  body, and
(iii)  except to the  extent  permitted  in clause  (i) above and other than as
expressly  permitted by this Agreement or Company's  articles of  incorporation
take any action  which  would  result in the  dividends  paid by Company on the
Convertible  Preferred Stock out of Company's  current or accumulated  earnings
and profits being ineligible for the dividends  received  deduction provided by
any Dividends Deduction Laws.

      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

1.36. . The obligation of Purchaser to purchase the Convertible Preferred Stock
pursuant to Section  2.2 hereof,  is subject to the  condition  that  Purchaser
shall have received, on the Closing Date, the following, each dated the Closing
Date unless  otherwise  indicated,  in form and substance  satisfactory  to the
Required Holders:

(a)  Favorable  opinions  of  Womble,  Carlyle,  Sandridge  & Rice,  counsel to
Company,  substantially  in the form  attached  hereto as  Exhibit  D, it being
understood  that to the extent  that such  opinion of counsel to Company  shall
rely upon any other  opinion of counsel,  each such other  opinion  shall be in
form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the Required  Holders and shall
provide that Purchaser may rely thereon.

(b)  Resolutions  of the  board  of  directors  of  Company,  certified  by the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Company, as of the Closing Date, to be duly
adopted  and in full  force  and  effect  on  such  date,  authorizing  (i) the
consummation  of each of the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement and
(ii)  specific  officers to execute and deliver this  Agreement  and each other
Transaction  Document to which it is a party.  (c)  Governmental  certificates,
dated the most recent practicable date prior to the Closing Date, with telegram
updates where available, showing that Company is organized and in good standing
in  the  jurisdiction  of  its  organization  and  is  qualified  as a  foreign
corporation  and in good  standing  in all other  jurisdictions  in which it is
qualified to transact business.  (d) True and correct copies,  certified by the
Secretary or Assistant  Secretary of Company,  of the document  evidencing  the
terms of the  Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  which shall contain the terms set
forth in Exhibit A attached  hereto and  evidence of the filing of an amendment
to the articles of  incorporation  reflecting the provisions of the Certificate
of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida.  (e) A copy
of the organizational charter and all amendments thereto of Company,  including
the amendment contemplated by Section 4.6(vii) hereof, certified as of a recent
date by the Secretary of State of the State of Florida, and copies of Company's
by-laws,  certified by the Secretary or Assistant  Secretary of Company as true
and  correct  as of the  Closing  Date.  (f) The  letter  from  Company  to its
accountants  referred  to  in  Section  5.1(c).  (g)  The  Registration  Rights
Agreement and the Stockholders  Agreement duly executed by the parties thereto.
(h) Certificates of the Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary of Company,  dated
the Closing  Date,  as to the  incumbency  and  signatures  of the  officers of
Company executing this Agreement,  the Convertible  Preferred Stock, each other
Transaction  Document to which it is a party and any other certificate or other
document to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto,  together with evidence of
the incumbency of such Secretary or Assistant Secretary. (i) Certificate of the
President  of  Company,  dated  the  Closing  Date,  stating  that  all  of the
representations  and  warranties  of Company  contained  herein or in the other
Transaction  Documents are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date as if
made on such date and that no breach of any covenant contained in Article V has
occurred or would result from the Closing hereunder.  1.37. . The obligation of
each Purchaser to purchase the Convertible  Preferred Stock pursuant to Section
2.2 is subject to the additional conditions precedent that:

(a) Such  Purchaser  shall have received  evidence that the insurance  policies
provided  for in Section  4.23 are in full force and effect,  certified  by the
insurer thereof.

(b)  Company  shall  have  paid  all  reasonable  fees and  expenses  of (i) GE
Capital's  outside  counsel,  Weil,  Gotshal & Manges LLP, and (ii) all special
local counsel  retained in connection with this Agreement and the  transactions
contemplated  thereby. (c) There shall not have occurred any event or condition
since December 31, 1998 which could have a Material Adverse Effect.  (d) All of
the  representations and warranties of Company contained herein or in the other
Transaction  Documents  shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date
as if made on such date and no breach of any  covenant  contained  in Article V
shall  have  occurred  or would  result  from the  Closing  hereunder.  (e) All
applicable  waiting  periods  under the HSR Act  shall  have  expired.  (f) The
Closing shall have occurred no later than May 31, 1999.  1.38. . The obligation
of Company to sell the  Convertible  Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 2.2 is
subject to the conditions precedent that:

(a) All of the  representations and warranties of Purchaser contained herein or
in the other  Transaction  Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the
Closing Date as if made on such date.

(b) All applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act shall have expired.
(c)  Stockholders  of Company shall have approved the amendment to the articles
of incorporation to increase the number of shares of Common Stock and preferred
stock in  connection  with  the  issuance  of  Convertible  Preferred  Stock to
Purchaser. (d) The Closing shall have occurred no later than May 31, 1999.

      SECURITIES LAW MATTERS

1.39.             .  Each certificate representing the Convertible Preferred
Stock shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:

                  "THE SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS
                  CERTIFICATE  HAS  BEEN  ACQUIRED  BY THE  HOLDER  FOR ITS OWN
                  ACCOUNT,  FOR INVESTMENT  PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO THE
                  DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH CONVERTIBLE  PREFERRED STOCK. THE SHARES
                  OF  SERIES  A  CONVERTIBLE  PREFERRED  STOCK  HAVE  NOT  BEEN
                  REGISTERED  UNDER THE  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "ACT") AND
                  MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE  TRANSFERRED  EXCEPT PURSUANT TO
                  AN  EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  UNDER  THE  ACT OR AN
                  EXEMPTION THEREFROM."

      SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION

1.40. . All of the  representations  and  warranties  made by any party in this
Agreement  or  pursuant  hereto  shall  survive  the  Closing  until the second
anniversary   of  the   Closing   Date;   provided,   however,   that  (i)  the
representations  and  warranties  of Company  under  Section 4.10 shall survive
until the fourth  anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) the  representations
and  warranties of Company under Sections 4.13 and 4.19 shall survive for their
respective statutes of limitations.

1.41.  Indemnifi.  Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless  Purchaser and
its  Affiliates  and  their  respective   officers,   directors  and  employees
(collectively,  the  "Indemnified  Parties") from and against any  liabilities,
obligations,  losses, damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments, suits, claims,
costs,  attorneys' fees, expenses and disbursements of any kind, other than any
special  or  consequential  damages  ("Losses"),  which  may be  imposed  upon,
incurred  by or  asserted  against  such  Purchaser  or such other  indemnified
Persons in any manner relating to or arising out of any untrue  representation,
breach of warranty or failure to perform any  covenants or agreement by Company
contained herein or in any certificate or document delivered pursuant hereto or
arising out of any  Environmental Law applicable to Company or its Subsidiaries
or in connection  with any third-party  claim otherwise  relating to or arising
out of the transactions  contemplated hereby;  provided that Company shall have
no obligation to an  Indemnified  Party  hereunder  with respect to liabilities
arising from the gross  negligence or willful  misconduct  of that  Indemnified
Party as  determined  by a court of competent  jurisdiction.  Each  Indemnified
Party  shall,  as soon as  practicable  after  receipt  of notice of a claim or
action  against such  Indemnified  Party in respect of which  indemnity  may be
sought hereunder,  notify Company in writing of the claim or action (stating in
reasonable  detail the facts  giving rise to such  action);  provided  that the
failure to notify Company shall not relieve Company from any liability which it
may  have to an  Indemnified  Party  except  to the  extent  that  Company  was
prejudiced by such failure,  and in no event shall such failure relieve Company
from any other  liability which it may have to such  Indemnified  Party. If any
such claim or action  shall be brought  against an  Indemnified  Party,  and it
shall have notified Company,  Company shall be entitled to participate therein,
and, to the extent that it wishes, to assume the defense therein,  with counsel
reasonably   satisfactory  to  the  Indemnified  Party.  After  notice  to  the
Indemnified  Party from  Company of its  election  to assume the defense of any
claim or action,  Company shall not be liable to the Indemnified  Party for any
legal or other  expenses  subsequently  incurred  by the  Indemnified  Party in
connection with the defense thereof.  Company may not without the prior written
consent of the Indemnified Party, not to be unreasonably withheld, agree to (i)
any  settlement of any claim or action  indemnifiable  hereunder,  other than a
settlement  solely for monetary  damages for which Company shall be responsible
hereunder  or (ii) any  remedy or relief  which  will be  applied  against  the
Indemnified  Party. In any action hereunder as to which Company has assumed the
defense thereof with counsel reasonably  satisfactory to the Indemnified Party,
the  Indemnified  Party shall  continue to be  entitled to  participate  in the
defense  thereof,  with  counsel of its own choice,  but  Company  shall not be
obligated  hereunder to reimburse the Indemnified  Party for the costs thereof.
Company  shall  only be  liable  to the  Indemnified  Parties  for  any  Losses
resulting from a breach of representation or warranty (i) if the claim therefor
is asserted in writing prior to the end of the  applicable  survival  period as
set forth in Section 8.1 hereof; (ii) which exceed an aggregate amount equal to
$500,000  and  only for such  Losses  in  excess  thereof,  and  (iii) up to an
aggregate amount of $15,000,000.

      EXPENSES

                  Company shall pay all  reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses of
(i) GE Capital in connection with the preparation of the Transaction  Documents
and the transactions  contemplated thereby including all legal expenses,  other
than the filing fee paid by GE Capital in connection with filings under the HSR
Act,  and (ii) the  Required  Holders  in  connection  with (A) any  amendment,
modification  or waiver,  or consent  with  respect to, any of the  Transaction
Documents,  and (B) any  attempt to enforce  any  rights of  Purchaser  against
Company,  any Subsidiary of Company or any other Person,  that may be obligated
to  Purchaser  by virtue of any of the  Transaction  Documents  (including  the
reasonable fees and expenses of all of its counsel and consultants  retained in
connection with the  Transaction  Documents and the  transactions  contemplated
thereby).

      MISCELLANEOUS

1.42.  .  Whenever it is provided  herein  that any  notice,  demand,  request,
consent, approval,  declaration or other communication shall or may be given to
or served upon any of the parties by  another,  or whenever  any of the parties
desires to give or serve upon  another any such  communication  with respect to
this  Agreement,  each  such  notice,  demand,  request,   consent,   approval,
declaration  or other  communication  shall be in writing  and either  shall be
delivered in person with receipt  acknowledged  or by  registered  or certified
mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid,  or by telecopy and confirmed
by telecopy answerback addressed as follows:

                  If to Company:

                  Transit Group, Inc.
                  2859 Paces Ferry Road
                  Suite 1740
                  Atlanta, GA  30339
                  Attn:  President
                  Telecopy Number:  (770) 444-0246

                  with a copy to:

                  Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
                  Suite 3500
                  One Atlantic Center
                  1201 West Peachtree Street
                  Atlanta, GA  30309
                  Attn:  Sharon L. McBrayer, Esq.
                  Telecopy Number: (404) 870-4825

                  If to Purchaser:

                  GE Capital:

                  GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc.
                  120 Long Ridge Road
                  Stamford, Connecticut  06927
                  Attn:  GE Equity Group-Transit
                  Telecopy Number: (203) 357-6426

                  with copies to:

                  General Electric Capital Corporation
                  120 Long Ridge Road
                  Stamford, Connecticut  06927
                  Attention:  GE Equity Group Legal Counsel
                  Telecopy Number: (203) 357-3047

                  and

                  Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
                  767 Fifth Avenue
                  New York, New York  10153
                  Attn:  Ted S. Waksman, Esq.
                  Telecopy Number:  (212) 310-8007

or at such  other  address  as may be  substituted  by  notice  given as herein
provided.  The giving of any notice required hereunder may be waived in writing
by the party entitled to receive such notice.  Every notice,  demand,  request,
consent, approval, declaration or other communication hereunder shall be deemed
to have been duly  given or served on the date on which  personally  delivered,
with receipt acknowledged,  telecopied and confirmed by telecopy answerback, or
three (3)  Business  Days  after the same shall  have been  deposited  with the
United States mail.

1.43. . Except as otherwise  provided  herein,  this Agreement shall be binding
upon and  inure to the  benefit  of the  parties  to this  Agreement  and their
respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express
or implied, is intended or shall be construed to give any person other than the
parties to this Agreement or their  respective  successors or assigns any legal
or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of any agreement or any
provision contained herein.

1.44.  Amendment.  No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or
any  other  Transaction  Document  nor  consent  to any  departure  by  Company
therefrom,  shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing
and signed by Company and the Required Holders, and then such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific  instance and for the specific  purpose
for which given. No action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including, without
limitation,  any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to
constitute  a waiver by the party taking such action,  of  compliance  with any
representations,  warranties,  covenants or agreements  contained  herein.  The
waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall
not operate or be construed as a waiver of any preceding or  succeeding  breach
and no failure by either  party to exercise  any right or  privilege  hereunder
shall be deemed a waiver of such  party's  rights or  privileges  hereunder  or
shall be deemed a waiver of such  party's  rights to  exercise  the same at any
subsequent time or times hereunder.

1.45.  Successor.  Neither this Agreement nor any right, remedy,  obligation or
liability  arising hereunder or by reason hereof shall be assignable by Company
without the prior written consent of the Required Holders.  Any right,  remedy,
obligation  or  liability  arising  hereunder  or by  reason  hereof  shall  be
assignable  by  Purchaser  only in  connection  with the  transfer of shares of
Convertible  Preferred  Stock  without  the prior  written  consent of Company,
except the obligation of Purchaser to purchase the Convertible  Preferred Stock
at Closing.  Subject to Section  5.1(b)(vii),  all covenants  contained  herein
shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their  respective
successors and assigns.

1.46.  Remedies .  Purchaser,  in  addition to being  entitled to exercise  all
rights  granted by law,  including  recovery  of  damages,  will be entitled to
specific  performance of its rights under this  Agreement.  Company agrees that
monetary  damages would not be adequate  compensation  for any loss incurred by
reason of a breach by it of the  provisions of this Agreement and hereby agrees
to waive the defense in any action for  specific  performance  that a remedy at
law would be  adequate.  In any action or  proceeding  brought  to enforce  any
provision of this Agreement or where any provision  hereof is validly  asserted
as a defense,  the  successful  party shall be  entitled to recover  reasonable
attorneys' fees in addition to any other available remedy.

1.47. Section a. The section and other headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference  purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation
of this Agreement.

1.48. Severabil.  In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained
in this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid,  illegal or  unenforceable
in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any
such  provision  or  provisions  in  every  other  respect  and  the  remaining
provisions of this Agreement shall not be in any way impaired.

1.49. Counterpa.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall
be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

1.50. Publicity. Neither Purchaser nor Company shall issue any press release or
make any public  disclosure  regarding  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby
unless such press  release or public  disclosure is approved by the other party
in advance.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  each of the parties hereto may, in
documents  required to be filed by it with the SEC or other regulatory  bodies,
make such statements with respect to the  transactions  contemplated  hereby as
each may be advised by counsel is legally necessary or advisable,  and may make
such disclosure as it is advised by its counsel is required by law.

1.51.  Entire Ag. This  Agreement,  the exhibits and  schedules  hereto and the
Confidentiality   Agreement,   dated   April  5,  1999  (the   "Confidentiality
Agreement"),  between Company and General Electric Capital  Corporation  (which
shall be deemed to apply to Purchaser),  represent the entire understanding and
agreement  between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
and  supersedes  all  prior  and  contemporaneous  agreements,  understandings,
negotiations and discussions,  whether oral or written, of the parties,  except
that, the Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

1.52. Governing. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in
accordance  with,  the  laws of the  State of New York  without  regard  to the
principles  thereof  relating to conflict of laws.  Each of the parties  hereby
submits to personal  jurisdiction  and waives any  objection as to venue in the
federal or state courts  located in the County of New York,  State of New York.
Service of process on the  parties in any action  arising out of or relating to
this Agreement  shall be effective if mailed to the parties in accordance  with
Section 10.1 hereof. The parties hereto waive all right to trial by jury in any
action or proceeding to enforce or defend any rights under this Agreement.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Company and Purchaser have executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                                          TRANSIT GROUP, INC.


                            By: /s/ Philip A. Belyew
                             Name: Philip A. Belyew
                            Title: President and CEO

                                          GE CAPITAL EQUITY INVESTMENTS, INC.


                             By: /s/ Patrick Dowling
                              Name:Patrick Dowling
                                     Title: