HOLIDAY CLOSER: The Greater California Livery Association gathered for its last function of the year Monday night, its annual holiday mixer and dinner, which celebrated the approach of 2010 much more than the passage of a rough 2009. . .
LOS ANGELES -- GCLA President Alan Shanedling said 2009 was a dismal year for most California operators, who must contend with state and local unemployment rates typically higher than the national average and an economic and regulatory climate difficult for small- to medium-sized businesses. Board member Mark Stewart asked members to bring more of their affiliates to enroll in the GCLA in 2010 so the association can expand its influence and reach. The GCLA, which retains its own full-time lobbyists in Sacramento, represents operators statewide, contending with nine different major airport jurisdictions across the most diverse state in the union. California also has the most chauffeured transportation operators of any state.
Operators must pay $500 every three years to renew their company licenses filed with the Public Utilities Commission, and pay .033% of all revenues each year in fees to the PUC.
Stewart pointed out that the GCLA's aggressive lobbying efforts over the years have helped reduce regulations and fees that would be much higher. For example, operators now pay an annual "per company" administrative fee of $120 to handle clients at Los Angeles International Airport. That fee would have been $120 per year PER VEHICLE had the GCLA not negotiated with airport officials to adopt a per-company fee. Also, a trip ticket to enter the airport to pick up a client now costs only $3 as opposed to the $7 that operators would be paying without the intervention of the GCLA.
Stewart emphasized that the GCLA's annual membership fee of $150 is well worth the cost of supporting an organization that has spared operators so much in fees.
While operators reported steep revenue declines earlier this year, the industry's recession appears to have collectively bottomed out this summer, with many operators expecting revenues that are slightly up or at least flat in 2010.
2010 INTERNATIONAL LCT SHOW: LCT Magazine congratulates the winners of a raffle for two free show passes to the industry event on Jan. 25-27, 2010 at the Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino:
-- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
Print | posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 5:05 PM