WHO'S GOT YOUR BACK? Amid the clutter of industry events, coalitions, and groups, no trade association has the resources, the reach, and the ROI that the National Limousine Association can provide. Here are seven facts why the NLA is good for limousine businesses and for industry unity. -- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
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EXPOSED: Illegal operators like this huckster in Rhode Island featured on a TV report not only undercut legitimate operators but tarnish the image of the chauffeured transportation industry, not to mention risking the safety of passengers. It proves why strong regulations are needed, and how the media can provide a worthwhile public service via exposes. -- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
Limo letdown for bride and groom: wpri.com
SOURCE: TMZ; Times of India
-- Michael Campos, LCT assistant editor
If an accident is caused by an employee’s cell phone use, employers are liable for the resulting damages and may even be liable for workers’ comp.
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A new amendment in China allows harsher punishments for drunk driving and spurs business for chauffeured vehicles. Why not in the U.S.?
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GROUND TRANSPORTATION DRAMA: San Francisco is one of the most desirable and scenic cities in the world, and its airport terminals stand out for their 21st Century amenities, internal design and traveler conveniences. But the San Francisco International Airport is one of the worst places to do business for ground transportation companies, as limousine operators fighting extremist green rules and illegal solicitors at SFO are well aware. Now a report shows the SFO shuttle situation is a confusing mess. Aside from underscoring the advantages of chauffeured transportation compared to the shuttle-cattle cart option, the story proves that the fog extends well beyond the runaways to SFO's transportation management. -- Martin Romjue, LCT Magazine
COMMENTARY: If LCT could give an award for Ad Of The Month, it would have to go to CLS NEVADA’s one page dramatic promo in the Farm-In/Farm-Out section of the April issue of LCT Magazine.
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Text messaging is killing drivers. What is your policy? Make the “Alex Brown Pledge” today.
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SUMMONS SUCCESS: A recent ground transportation
VEHICLE STING OPERATION at Los Angeles International Airport is the type of service operators should expect from their tax dollars and license fees. We need to see more such enforcement at major airports in the interests of leveling the competitive field. The tough economy brings with it too many off-the-books operators. -- M.R.
BALANCED APPROACH: Forget about your local newspaper, TV stations, CVBs, LCT, CitySearch --- all might be worthwhile media outlets in their own way, but in the era of digital and social media YOU are your own best information service. Bill Faeth, owner of SILVER OAK TRANSPORTATION in Nashville, Tenn., understands this, as his STREET TALK BLOG includes updates of interest to operators and the industry as well as transportation packages and outings of interest to clients. The key is to MARKET and INFORM. Of recent interest on the blog: UPDATE ON NASHVILLE'S FIRST LIMO ORDINANCE. -- M.R.
FEDERAL CHARTER RULE: A court struck down an amendment from Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. yesterday that blatantly favored the taxpayer-subsidzied, union-employed public transit system over a more efficient private charter bus company for providing sports fan shuttle service. The
Seattle area is ground zero for the battle over the application of the federal charter rule. With small to medium size businesses under attack from a revenue-hungry public sector, the charter rule victory is one to be celebrated. -- M.R.
PREPARING FOR THE WORST: Limo crashes always seem to focus on the chauffeur. AND DON'T CALL HIM A LIMO DRIVER!
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CUSTOMER DISSERVICE: The
Kentucky Limousine Association is warning members about a Louisville operator who has drawn numerous complaints from abandoned and ripped off customers.
INVESTIGATIVE TV REPORT HERE.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE NYTLC? The New York Taxi and Limousine Commission is finally trying to discipline some of the CABBIES CAUGHT CLIPPING the most passengers, but it looks like the fines for the rest of the bunch will be well below the amounts they ripped off. But then the NYTLC has to abide by its priorities. While it spent all this time and energy on formulating and enforcing a ban on Bluetooth in for-hire vehicles, thousands of cabbies were overcharging passengers, through a combination of faulty equipment and/or the manipulation of it. Your government at work. -- M.R.
CHAUFFEURS APPEAR TO BE IN THE CLEAR: The
TLC CRACKDOWN ON CABBIE cell phone chit-chat continues unabated; a newspaper article mentions that livery chauffeurs at least can use a radio device to talk to dispatch. (Gee, thanks for the 1950s era technology privileges, TLC). Since most chauffeurs are more professional and skilled than the average cabbie, how about restoring BlueTooth privileges for NYC chauffeurs as well,
Dearest Mommy State? -- M.R.
TO CATCH A LIMO: Bureaucrats at the San Francisco International Airport seem hellbent on enforcing
STRICT GREEN VEHICLE REGULATIONS, which will be the subject of a major
GCLA TOWN HALL MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT. But, aren't there much more pressing things on the table, such as the
ILLEGAL OPERATORS LURKING on airport property? Any SFO green vehicle policy will be rendered meaningless if illegal operators, who don't follow any rules anyway, keep accessing the airport. So let's get this straight: SFO wants to criminalize non-green vehicles used by LEGAL operators, but yet it and the California Public Utilities Commission so far cannot effectively crackdown on ILLEGAL ones who avoid licenses, insurance, and safety checks. Maybe a solution here would be that no green vehicle policies can be adopted at any airports until state and airport authorities meet measurable, defined goals in reducing illegal operator activity. -- M.R.
LEAVE THEM ALONE:
Any wonder that large numbers of NYC cabbies are GETTING CITED for using hands-free electronic devices? What the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission fails to understand is that cabbies, like chauffeurs, rely on the devices to communicate and conduct business. The TLC needs to consider THE EVIDENCE THAT HANDS-FREE DEVICES are far safer that MANUAL cell phones and texting devices, which should be banned behind the wheel.
Let's hope common sense prevails at the federal level with pending distracted driving legislation in the U.S. Congress that should allow hands-free electronic devices but ban the manual ones for commercial drivers, a reasonable pro-business position supported by the National Limousine Association. Such a law, however, would need a provision overriding the little local techno-nannies of New York. -- M.R.
SILLY BUREAUCRACY: Operators contending with inconsistent and unreasonable regulations in Hillsborough County, Florida win a key victory.
As most of you know by now, I never let. . .
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INDUSTRY PLUG?
The New York Post couldn't have run a better "AD/PROMO" for the luxury limousine and black car industries.
Tip to the NYTLC: A good chauffeur knows how and when to safely use a Bluetooth/hands-free phone. -- M.R.
QUESTIONING AUTHORITY: Does danger lurk inside the green revolution? Do certain mandates actually worsen the state of the economy and the environment?
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RESERVATION BONUS: In an example of how cheapest is not always the best, the New York TLC finds cabbies bilking customers through meter fraud. That doesn't happen with pre-arranged chauffeured transportation. You get what you pay for.
ARE THEY SERIOUS? $7 a gallon gasoline may become a reality in the near future. Why, you may ask?
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TRANNY NANNY: A commentary in The Washington Times rebuts the need for the pages and pages of transportation regulations issued by the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission governing cab drivers. One key point: Since when do privileges, voluntary amenities, and individual choices become "rights?"
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LAWMAKERS LICKING THEIR LIPS: Another costly reality of this recession has been the revivial of long-dormant regulations and laws on the books that were casually or intermittently enforced for years, or in some cases, outright ignored. Operators servicing the Baltimore-Washington Airport recently discovered this trend, much to their horror. .
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BRAKE JOB: Hertz, Avis, and Las-Vegas based ZipCar are temporarily pulling the Toyota Prius from fleets because of safety concerns. Toyota and Lexus vehicles comprise only a very small percentage of U.S. chauffeured transportation fleets. And with the advent of the roomier Royale Fusion Hybrid L, the chauffeured days of the subcompact Prius are numbered. Also, one California legislator reveals his frustrations with Toyota. -- M.R.
BREAKING: The regulatory point man for chauffeured transportation in New York City
heads to the private sector. Who could be
his successor?
BLACK TRUMPS GREEN: Finally, going green, or at least meeting and talking about it, could be a big boon for the limousine and chauffeured vehicle industry.
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HOOKED ON MORONICS: First reports show the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission is aggressively enforcing its new set of rules on use of electronic equipment among for-hire vehicles operators.
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IN THE NEWS: 2010 Operator Of The Year winner Bill Atkins is quoted in a media report about the
$1 BILLION INCREASE in levies to fund the New Jersey unemployment fund, which hurts smaller operators and businesses such as
Red Bank Limo.
EXTREME MEASURES? The New Taxi and Limousine Commission's new rules on electronic devices go into effect today; unfortunately, moderation is not a virtue. . .
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NEW BLOG: One industry blogger has addressed the "third rail" of green politics, namely, the issue of counting your carbon.
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NOT EXACTLY A SCHOOL BUS: Operators who look the other way when teens drink on a party bus could face penalties under state legislation being considered in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 1762 would make it illegal for anyone owning or operating a hired bus or limo to "knowingly transport" minors who were drinking or in possession of alcohol.
STORY AND VIDEO.
DRINKING & CHAUFFEURING: New Year's Eve turns out to be a DUD NIGHT for many operators; but there are still enough drunks out there to provide plenty of business. The challenge is to get the limo message out. Using SCARY DUI ARREST IMAGES might be one marketing approach. This limousine company takes a different approach: DRINK UP AND WE'LL DRIVE. But does operating a limo like a cab by charging for every tenth-mile qualify as chauffeured transportation? That may be another topic for another day, but the concept of providing complimentary booze to a group of limousine clients staying off the road can bring benefits all the way around. -- M.R.
CYBER HAZARDS: We at LCT can certainly understand what it's like to be the target of vicious and false Internet forum comments, so it's not surprising that in the digital era a competitor would resort to such tactics against another operator. The Pennsylvania operator, ironically called Feel Good Limo, claims to be the victim of malicious fictions. The freedom and anonymity on the Internet often provides safe harbor to hacks out to destroy a business. How to handle, counter, and prevent such communications is unchartered territory, and will keep businesses and courtrooms occupied for years to come. -- M.R.
HOW MANY WOULD USE? The NHTSA's recommendation for mandatory seatbelts on motorcoaches gets a mixed reaction in one Pennsyvlania city. At issue is the expense for operators, the usage among passengers, and the need to reduce motorcoach accident deaths and injuries.
LEARN about one of the unsafest uses of technology behind the wheel. . .
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INDUSTRY WATCHES CLOSELY: The outcome of a class action chauffeur wage lawsuit against the largest chauffeured transportation company in Las Vegas will become a leading indicator of how operators should pay chauffeurs.
DETAILED REPORT AND COMMENTS HERE.
UPDATE: As LCT's Jim Luff reported in his blog column yesterday, a federal judge has awarded a group of chauffeurs
CLASS ACTION STATUS in their lawsuit to recoup wages from Las Vegas-based Bell Transportation, the largest operator in the state.
Listening to employees and resolving conflicts are effective ways to avoid costly lawsuits. . .
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MORE REGS NEEDED? What are the leading causes and factors of motorcoach-related crashes?
2004, 2005, and 2008 were three of the highest five years in terms of motorcoach passenger and driver fatalities during 1991-2008. Greyhound is taking a CLOSER LOOK. MOTORCOACH ACTION SAFETY PLAN.
SAFETY FIRST: Whether seat belts are required on motorcoaches or not, the charter and bus industry provides some of the safest transportation available when you compare the number of deaths with overall miles traveled. But when there is an accident. . .
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NEW RULES: The issue of whether to add seatbelts to motorcoaches in the wake of deadly crashes seems to be coming to a head -- and with big headlines -- as the Department of Transportation issues new rules. . .
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BUT WHAT'S THE WORD on the proposed new rules banning electronic devices? Are those delayed, too?
ARTICLE HERE.
MOTORCOACH SAFETY RULES: The daughter of a woman who died in the 2008 Sherman, Texas motorcoach crash talks back to Peter Pantuso, president of the American Bus Association, in THIS LETTER TO THE EDITOR. It highlights the challenges for the charter and tour industry as a handful of high profile crashes spur calls for more safety measures and regulations.
DD: Distracted Driving is now the new "Drunk Driving" awareness juggernaut, as it moves to the forefront of issues facing chauffeured transportation with the New York TLC's floater proposal to ban use of cell phones among chauffeurs and cabbies. See some valid arguments below AGAINST such a crippling regulation.
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WSJ REPORT: Pay, benefit questions and disputes emerge amid a weak economy, according to
an article published today. The NLA
recently educated operators on wage issues, urging I/O companies to pay close attention and get informed.
TOUGH NEW RULES: New York taxi cab, black car, and luxury limousine drivers and chauffeurs may lose the right to talk on Bluetooth phones and use GPS systems while enroute. Needless to say, this complicates and interferes with the clear communication chauffeurs need to get client from point A to point B in the fastest way. . .
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LINDA JAGIELA: Last week, Commissioner Matthew Daus gave a favorable ruling to the Avis/We DriveU model in New York City. Although the New York/New Jersey Port Authority had already ruled against the Avis model, Commissioner Daus and his legal team found that the Avis model did not violate any city laws.
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OPERATORS & REGULATORS: In one of the most helpful moves made by the NLA in recent history, NLA attorneys spell out everything you need to know about compliance with labor laws specific to the industry, including the hot topic of "employee vs. independent contractor.”
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TRUTH IN LABELING: Most limousine companies automatically add 18-20% “gratuity” to their bills. Is this really a gratuity or is it a service charge?
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New Jersey and New York area operators face parking and waiting hassles at
Newark Liberty International Airport.
OPERATORS & REGULATORS: TGIS Party Bus, an Oklahoma City based operator recently received a letter from an attorney for OKC Party Bus, also known as Ragin’ Transit Authority. The letter asked TGIS to cease and desist using the name “Party Bus” as apparently OKC Party Bus has a trademark on the name “Party Bus” — at least in Oklahoma.
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DUMB ON THE ROAD: SHOCK VIDEO HERE. This is not exactly the type of publicity that helps the charter and tour and chauffeured transportation industries, let alone the company and NLA member that operates and employs the driver. In fairness to the company, no operator can control every chauffeur or driver at all times, and every company invariably will get an employee who turns out to be a dud. The driver in the video has been put on leave.
But one strong selling point for both transportation segments is SAFETY. It's one of the main things that distinguishes chartered buses and black vehicles from public transit and taxi cabs. There have been too many mass transport accidents in recent years. Talking and texting on cell phones while driving LEADS TO THIS. -- M.R.
KENTUCKY LIMOUSINE ASSOCIATION: The KLA has spent the last few months putting together a simple statement about itself, purpose, goals, and positions.
POSITION PAPER HERE. Helpful to members and legislators alike, such papers can help any industry organization focus clearly on specifics. Note the KLA's official opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act; such clear, bold statements against harmful measures are needed in the anti-business, anti-free market climate developing in many state capitals and in Washington, D.C. as desperately grabby politicians ignore busniess constituents at their peril. -- M.R.
Temecula Valley Wine Country has new rules in place designed to deter drunken booze cruises with limousines. Limousine and charter companies are being asked to hand out pamphlets with guidelines and to contact the wineries in advance when they will be bringing groups of ten or larger. The wineries themselves are working with the limousine companies to eliminate drunken patrons. Establishing this type of criteria should be embraced by every limousine company across the country. In previous years, there have been movements to eliminate busing patrons into wineries. As an industry, we need to take a proactive approach to keep this revenue stream available to us. Every state in the country now has wineries
LINDA MOORE: Yesterday, I spent the day walking the hallowed halls of the Pennsylvania state capital in Harrisburg with the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association. I am always jazzed after a day of lobbying and I want to share my thoughts with you about the experience.
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REGULATORY SPOTLIGHT: LCT’s Jim Luff posted the first installment this week of an ongoing series of updates on a regulatory conflict in the Tampa Bay area that gets to the nub of what many operators face: Costly and inconsistent regulations, rules, vehicle definitions, and fees by meddlesome municipal bureaucracies that needlessly complicate business for operators.
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WEDRIVEU ALERT: Industry associations have succeeded this year in repeatedly stymieing Avis' unregulated, impostor chauffeured concept at numerous major airports. Now comes word of another Avis approach:
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BUSTING GYPSIES: Recent enforcement efforts against illegal operators in Atlanta have caught up a few legitimate operators in the crackdown.
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ATTENTION TEXTERS BEHIND THE WHEEL: "If you cannot afford a chauffeur to drive you around, then your time is not as valuable [as] you think."
See commentary here. Another good selling point for chauffeured transportation: Safe, quiet, and hassle-free texting. -- M.R.
SAFETY SCANDAL: Motorcoach operators facing fines have
formed new companies to avoid penalties and bad reputation.
Another article here.
REGULATORY SOUP: Our business is governed by the PUC, CHP, LAX, Labor Board, IRS, a host of airports, and city and county government agencies. It seems as if you have to be a rocket scientist just to keep up compliance with every agency that rules us. I was reminded of this recently as I stopped to pump gas in my car.
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OUT OF SYNC: We've heard the arguments over and over: You can drive a car at 16, go to war at 18, but can't drink legally until you're 21. You can legally rent a limo at 18 with some operators, but not rent a car from most rental agencies until you're 25. Or at least pay a hefty rate if you are below 25. Now an organization called Choose Responsibility has punctured the myths surrounding the 21 drinking age.
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REALITY CHECK IN THE CARDS: Seems as if the Democrats are going wobbily on the reviled, anti-business union-driven card check legislation which has been deemed one of the biggest political threats to the chauffeured transportation industry. In the face of near-universal opposition from the private sector, moderate Democrats are realizing they want to get re-elected. Union card-check legislation has been a priority topic at the last several LCT conferences and trade shows. Hopefully, the radical Employee Free Choice Act will be taken off the industry threat list soon; there's plenty ahead with equally destructive cap (grab) n' trade, high tax, and government health care proposals. -- M.R.
REALITY DOSE: Some
helpful data here in understanding energy choices, options, and alternatives facing the U.S. transportation system. Stay informed.
ON GLOBAL WARMING THEORY: Nothing like a
BIG PICTURE VIEW to stir the pot on a Monday. And something to consider before counting carbon credits, buying carbon offsets, capping and trading, and glorifying every green-labeled vehicle being hawked, whether it's truly an energy/money saver or not. -- M.R.
SALES TAX SLAMS INDUSTRY: Another
example and summary of how chauffeured transportation companies are dealing with the new New York state sales tax on chauffeured vehicle services effective June 1. Industry efforts are underway to minimize its effects.
SLEAZING LAS VEGAS: LCT's Driving Force e-newsletter features
an article today from the Las Vegas Sun about a lawsuit filed against taxi and limo companies and Vegas area strip clubs for allegedly creating illegal kickback schemes to bring customers. The article mentions limo companies but focuses on the taxi drivers. Without a precise breakdown, would the assumption be that it's more of a cab than limo problem?
CONTROLLING SUBSTANCES: With so much concern about prom teens and limo drinking, how would operators prevent the following limousine fiasco?
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RURAL CRASHES: The National Transportation Safety Board has
called upon the heads of the
American Bus Association and the
United Motorcoach Association to upgrade their
safety plans and procedures in the event of motorcoach crashes in remote areas.
PHILLY OPS prove that there are still serious forms of political activism that actually aim to improve the situations of business owners, i.e. limo operators. LCT covers the "March On Harrisburg". . .
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SCHOOLMARMS AT THE GATES: Don't think for a minute that recent isolated cases of limo-bans at school proms will remain atypical. LCT has noticed a growing and disturbing trend of public school officials regulating, banning, or obstructing the free choice of renting limousines for the prom -- an established prom tradiiton. It is emerging as a key threat to a bread and butter market of the chauffeured transportation industry. . .
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MOVING FORWARD: We would never be so bold as to predict a bottoming out for the industry, but the GCLA's May meeting proved there is a consistent pulse. . .
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WARNING ABOUT WAGES: This week, operator and LCT scribe Jim Luff delves into the difficulties of defining wages and compensation for chauffeures and employees, and how one major chauffeured transportation company could be facing a rude reckoning.
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COMING WEDNESDAY IN DRIVING FORCE: Watch for Linda M. Moore's extensive report on the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association's struggle against the Philadelphia Parking Authority. It's a regulatory tale typical of what so many operators must contend with. Check it out in Wednesday's edition of LCT's e-newsletter, DRIVING FORCE.
CHARTER BUS CRASHES: In response to some high profile bus crashes, the California Assembly has
passed a "safety bill." That's progress, but there's no mention of passenger seat belts for motorcoaches. Isn't that the real issue? -- M.R.
PERSPECTIVE: For an excellent summary of Avis WeDriveU's operational weak spots and mistakes, visit the All Things Limousine blog, a solid forum of industry information and operator know-how. As WeDriveU defeats pile up and the Avis chauffeured business model tanks, the quality practices of the real and legit chauffeured transportation industry will stand strong and speak for themselves. -- M.R.
EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT: Today's Wall Street Journal presents a
strong argument against union card-check legislation -- a major threat to American businesses and one of the leading concerns in the chauffeured transportation industry -- from an unlikely source. If a senior radical politician who lost in a major landslide election opposes the EFCA, maybe it can be stymied for good, or at least until a more favorable business climate emerges. -- M.R.
MEDIA REPORTS: Orion Pacific, the Orange, Calif.,-based charter and tour operator involved in the deadly Monterey County, Calif., bus crash this week, drew high ratings for its
inspections and safety compliance, according to D.O.T. records.
JUST FYI: The Limousine Association of Houston circulated the below memo today on how operators should handle swine flu precautions.
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BUSES FOR BUREAUCRATS: A newspaper editorial praising the use of mass-style transit for proms and condescending to limo companies should get your operator blood boiling.
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LEAVING HOUSTON: Avis WeDriveU has again been stopped in its chauffeured tracks as momentum builds against its unregulated inroads into chauffeured transportation. This was a flawed, unfair business model from the get-go, and now regulators are waking up, thanks mainly to active operators and associations pointing out the obvious. The tally of success so far: Phoenix, San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, WHERE NEXT???
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NEW JERSEY LEADS THE WAY? Pressure is mounting in the Garden State to cut the
dreaded tourism tax on motorcoaches. Excellent idea. Now, how about creating some real stimulus for the chauffeured and charter transportation industries by replicating that concept for limousines, sedans, mini-buses, SUVs -- basically all luxury-based chauffeured transportation, and then applying it in all 50 states? While they're at it, governments can cut tourism, sales, AND corporate business taxes on transportation. Now, that would be some stimulus worthy of some hope and extra change without bailing anyone out! -- M.R.
NYC, NASSAU & WESTCHESTER TLCs SET UP NASSAU RECIPROCITY
New policy allows chauffeured operators to move about with more flexibility
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ARGUMENTS AGAINST: Here is one more factual finding to be added to the industry lobbying arsenal against the union-driven Employee Free Choice Act: It's
blatantly unconstitutional. That's something to file away for use against zealous unionistas out to destroy free markets and free speech. -- M.R.
LESSONS FOR OPERATORS: This WSJ account of how the business community stood strong and unified against the anti-democratic card check legislation is a better example of "Yes We Can" than anything politicians in DC can muster. The chauffeured transportation industry would do well to draw from this example as it battles rampant regulations, a decimated business travel climate, and Avis WeDriveU. Regadless of prevailing political winds, unity coalesced through NLA and local association involvement, as well as LCT Magazine events, can net results favorable to operator survival and service growth. -- M.R.
INDUSTRY ALERT: While Avis WeDriveU may be ceasing chauffeured rental car operations in Miami-Dade County, its concept is still being promoted in the travel industry, as
this travel blog shows. The chauffeured transportation industry -- the one that follows the rules and pays for licenses -- needs to keep educating travel agencies and bookers not only about the superiority of legitimate chauffeured services, but how Avis WeDriveU has been dealt a pivotal, precedent-setting blow. Similar regulatory decisions in other metro areas are very likely on the way, thanks to pressure from actively engaged industry associations. Avis WeDriveU should not be presented as a viable ground transportation alternative. Hand-in-hand with the regulatory battles goes the PR offensive as well. -- M.R.
UNION MISCHIEF UPDATE: News that 41 U.S. Senators are
lined-up against the union-driven Employee Free Choice Act may be the formation of a firewall against this anti-business, anti-worker, anti-democratic legislation.
OPERATORS NEEDED: The Luxury-Base Operators Association will be meeting with Taxi & Limousine Commission officials next week to go over proposed rules affecting chauffeured transportation for New York City. . .
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FLEX FUEL & CARD CHECK: These scams are two of the most odious threats to the health of the chauffeured transportation industry in America. Get the facts on these loser trends. . .
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GOOD VS. BAD: Two newspaper articles were posted today on limousine operators that illustrate two sides of the coin. . .
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NEW LAW: The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative takes effect June 1. Read all about the details here.
For ground transportation companies, this has to do with cross border trips to Canada and Mexico. Great Lakes Limousine Association Executive Director Richard Greiner made the following points:
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EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT? Call it the LAZY LABOR THEFT ACT. As if porky so-called stimulus, higher taxes, crippled corporations, and anti-capitalism weren't enough. Now the labor minions of the Democratic Party appear to be readying some of the most destructive anti-business legislation since the Depression-era Smoot-Hawley Tarriff of the 1930s. . .
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WATCH OUT: California ex-governor turned mayor of Oakland turned attorney general Jerry Brown is cracking the whip on worker's comp. His latest lawsuit filing
goes after what he considers to be a fake employee-owned company business model being used to avoid worker's comp payments. It's all part of an underground economy where business owners are avoiding worker's comp and payroll taxes funding disability and unemployment insurance programs, according to the LA Times article. In this suit, the state is asking for civil penalties of at least $300,000 from Contractors Asset Protection Assn. Inc. of Rancho Santa Fe. This is serious business requiring staying current on state regs, and watching out for affiliate work and joint ventures with companies not staying legit. -- J.L.
CALIFORNIA CRAZY: California is the home of LCT Magazine, but we must admit that our state can be a royal embarrassment. Because liberal legislators have been too inept and greedy to keep the state budget balanced since the late 1990s, the annual vehicle licensing fee now must rise from .65% of the value of a vehicle to 1.15%. And guess which businesses are
affected the most? Those with fleets. Even moreso, those with luxury fleets. So the "car tax" on a $70,000 limousine will rise from $455 per year to $805 per year. This is just one more hurdle for the chauffeured transportation industry in California, which already faces enough of an anti-business climate. We urge operators and the GCLA and its lobbyist to look into offsets, exemptions, and/or legislation that can at least spare providers of ground group transportation the dreadful car tax inrease. Whether the vehicle is a bus or limo, they're both greener, safer, and more efficient than self-transportation since they take vehicles off the road. Sounds like an industry ripe for a tax rebate or giveback. -- M.R.
PROM BUS: Palo Alto High School in California's bay area
has decided that stretch limos are not okay for the prom, but buses will provide the transportation. School administrators say that limos are too expensive and buses are more practical. Students are disappointed in missing out on limo rides and think of buses negatively (who wants to ride a school bus?). What about providing limo buses or minicoaches for the prom? Would this comply with the new school rules? This would offer more affordable per passenger trip costs and provide loads of luxury, comfort, and yearbook photo opps. -- J.L.
LEGAL NEWS: Chauffeurs have filed a federal class action lawsuit in Las Vegas against their employer, Whittlesea -- Bell Transportation, the fifth largest chauffeured transportation company. The
lawsuit seeks back wages for Bell Trans chauffeurs and cites a Labor Department opinion and multiple court cases. The argument is that chauffeurs are entitled to minimum wage and overtime. This is happening two years after voters approved a state constitution amendment to raise wages, and adds to complications of Nevada's minimum wage law. This is a legal battle being fought state by state; a federal court ruling will overshadow state jurisdiction. This is an important case to follow. -- J.L.
VERY PRIVATE: Chauffeured transportation operators have been part of the infrastructure at private airports for years, and it's been a great source of revenue. As air traffic gradually shifts from traditional airports over to private airports, doing business at these airports will become a bit more complicated. As the Transportation Security Agency implements its new
"security directive," there will be more regulations and driver background checks put into place. Don't be surprised to hear about
more law enforcement being tied into private airport business, either.
The point is: private airport business is an important market segment to serve, but it ain't gonna get easier. Operators are building relationships with fixed base operators (FBOs) who manage these airports, and with online booking engines that focus on these airports such as
Fortis Riders,
Savoya, and
Celebrity Jet Charter. They're also attending events put on by the
National Business Aviation Association, a major industry association for FBOs and suppliers. It's very good to stay informed, and to anticipate that this trend will require more administrative functions on your end. This is what happened at major airports during the 1970s and 1980s, and private airports will get more scrutiny, regulation, and enforcement as they become a major source of cash, congestion, and safety concerns. -- J.L.
CARD COMPLIANCE: Kelsey Gerlach, business relationship manager for Century Business Solutions, is concerned that operators become updated on PCI compliance, a policy now adopted by major credit cards for merchant members. The Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard has been created to alleviate problems caused by financial fraud and theft.
Click here to access the PCI Reference Guide. There's a lot of information to sift through, but it has been provided by industry members who created the PCI compliance standards, Gerlach said. Century Business Solutions has already taken care of this policy change for customers, but the industry should stay updated on this recent changeover. Online booking providers are also making sure these changes are made to their systems. -- J.L.
LIMOS GOOD, NOT BAD: Yet another politician has been heavily criticized for taking limo rides. Former senator Tom Daschle was supposed to be the new secretary of health, and played a major role in Obama's campaign.
He's been accused of failing to pay more than $100,000 in taxes for a donated limousine. The pressure was so intensive that he stepped back and turned down the offer. How many times have you read news stories like this one, where limo rides are considered an obvious source of payoffs and corruption. (Newspaper editors are winking at readers when the word "limousine" is mentioned prominently.) This makes me wonder: is there anything the National Limousine Association can do to refute such criticism? Could there be a new program offering reduced fare rides to well known political leaders in our nation's capital? A "clean up" program demonstrating how limousine rides with NLA members are safe, legal, legitimate, and luxurious? Just a thought... -- J.L.
STRETCHING IT: British public officials in Birmingham and towns across the country
are not happy with the increase in stretch limousines, which are usually built by U.S. limo manufacturers and imported. A traffic commissioner will be meeting with the UK limousine trade association and local authorities from across the country to discuss safety issues. Chauffeured transportation was provided for years through luxury sedans, which can weave through the tight streets and not cause as many logistical problems as stretch limos. But young customers have loved the stretches. It will be interesting to see what happens.
In other global news,
Australian operators are feeling the recessionary pinch as business drops 30%-40%, much like what the U.S. industry is experiencing. -- J.L.
BAD CUSTOMERS: I am sick and tired of reading news stories
about chauffeurs being robbed or hijacked by criminals fleeing bank robberies, or being crashed into by a drunk driver, or some other wrongdoing. There's no way to protect them from everything bad that can happen, but practical operators do what they can to hire the right chauffeurs, train them constantly, track them with GPS, communicate through hand-helds, dispatch them effectively, and move them away from weather disasters, traffic tie ups, and other calamities. Yet there's no way of making them 100% safe, even if they learned martial arts or carried a gun. Limousines and chauffeurs get a lot of attention out there: they represent wealth, glamor, and opportunities for good guys and bad guys. -- J.L.
EAST COAST UPDATE: Eleven Northeastern states are discussing a "Low Carbon Fuel Standard" aimed at carbon reduction in vehicles and buildings: Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. These states "hope that the new standard will push companies to develop cleaner fuels and related technology in order to comply with the standard,"
according to the AP. And in December, California adopted a similar plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions. These regulatory issues are still being pushed in many states regardless of the economic recession. This is why Green Ride Global, Limousine Environmental Action Partners, and LimoGreen have become important to chauffeured transportation operators. Corporate travel program requirements and public interest have also motivated operators in all ground transportation sectors to go green and tell their stories. -- J.L.
DRIVING FOR DRINKERS: A young transportation entrepreneur at the University of California/San Diego has found a worthwhile chauffeured niche that doubles as a public service.
Drunk drivers kill 13,000 people each year in the U.S. Each accident could have been prevented had the driver ridden in a chauffeured vehicle.
Despite all the awareness, tougher laws, and social stigmas, drunk driving remains a chronic problem.
Drunks may not be the most appealing clients, but think about what you could prevent. That limousine tragedy underscores the need for such services. -- M.R.
DIVERSITY: While reading
this news piece on Pittsburgh Transportation Group hiring a new HR manager, it struck me once again how many sizable operators have over the years expanded their fleets beyond chauffeured transportation. And that also means taxis, which is ironic since the taxi industry has been hostile many times to the limo business when it comes to lobbying and pressuring airports and state/municipal bureaucrats to go easy on taxis and take it out on limos. Perhaps this will change that picture long term as taxi companies continue to lose revenue and chauffeured transportation expands. And perhaps the long term growth will be tied into operators becoming transportation companies and not just limo companies. Metro Cars (Taylor, Mich.) and Harrison Global (Waltham, Mass.) operate taxis along with chauffeured vehicles. AFC Corporate Transportation (Houston) has put school buses into its mix. And there are plenty of other operators who are building impressive transportation fleets especially through motorcoaches and shuttle/limo buses. The management duties are similar: hiring and training drivers; financing, maintaining and remarketing fleet vehicles; dealing with licensing and regulation mandates; setting up corporate accounts. Once you get into the transportation business, you can expand those skills and resources into ancillary markets. This could be a way to stabilize revenue and profits during economic downturns. -- J.L.
CHAMELEONS: Major car rental companies like Avis and Hertz are trying out several new outfits. Hertz is checking out
car sharing, and will compete with Zipcar. Avis and Hertz have invested heavily in the U.S. off-airport/local car rental market to compete with the largest rental fleet in the world, Enterprise Rent-A-Car,
as reported recently in LCT Magazine. And what else... hmmm, let's see, did I forget to mention chauffeured transportation? Avis is working closely with WeDriveU to enter major American markets and bypass for-hire licensing fees and regulations. Hertz is pushing Worldwide Executive Limousines in global markets, and is also taking steps to set up operations in the U.S. These are well funded, global competitors for limousine operators to take on, but it's not clear yet whether Avis or Hertz will be successful and choose to stay in this industry.
-- J.L.
CANADIAN HASSLES: Operators at the Pearson International Airport in Toronto have to deal with "scoopers," the Canadian term for illegal limousine operators who prey on tired passengers waiting in ground transportation lines. Casey Jason, a Toronto area operator and chairman of the Ontario Limousine Owners Association, recently was quoted in the
Toronto Sun warning operators about the practice. LCT Magazine recommends that the industry find a legal way to render these scoopers the transportation equivalent of pooper scoopers. -- M.R.
COULD BE WORSE: As the Big 3 automakers fail to win federal bailout funds, there's talk that one or more of these companies may declare bankruptcy. GM and Chrysler stressed the point they need immediate funding to stop gap December losses. But if they do declare bankruptcy, it's not the end of the world. It is something
happening in big numbers in the U.S. now for consumers and businesses, but federal judges overseeing bankruptcy cases don't shut the doors overnight. It could very well mean layoffs, revised labor agreements, downsizing production lines, and renegotiating with suppliers. And reinventing their mission statements and business strategies. If your company must consider bankruptcy, it could be worse. -- J.L.
CHEERS: It's that time of the year again... time to help your community by taking drunk drivers off the road. Chauffeured transportation companies know a lot about this, and some add this public service announcement to their promotions.
There' a lot being said on the subject by:
1.
NY 54 Limousines in Chandler, Ariz.
2.
Post-Tribune Columnist Bob Kostanczuk
3.
Texas DOT
We hope you enjoy your holidays and help your town enjoy theirs. -- J.L.
GETTING THE WORD OUT: Towne Auto Group's David Bastian sent out this letter to the chauffeured transportation industry to build support for the Detroit automakers during a very tough time.
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NYC NEWS: New York City's Mayor Bloomberg announced this morning an incentive program to motivate taxi owners to switch over to fuel efficient vehicles. This happens not long after a federal district court judge ruled that taxis don't have to live up to the TLC's 25 MPG mandate.
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STREET SWEEPING: A Queens, N.Y., police officer
was given kudos by a local newspaper for not letting Noble Limousine Service clog traffic. Noble was recruiting drivers and let them back up traffic for hours on 35th St. in Long Island City. Things got ugly until Highway Officer John Glynn rode his scooter through the clogged street and wrote summonses for the violators - motivating drivers to clear out of the way. That is one tough town. When you're providing luxury service - whether you're in NYC's livery, black car, or luxury limousine category, you want to be considered a high-level customer service provider and not just a bunch of punks.
NAME BRANDING: Building an effective company brand name is not easy. There are legal issues involved in trademark laws and corporate identity practices, and there are practical issues in establishing an effective, well remembered name. In chauffeured transportation, there are a lot of locally known company names that are sometimes identical or close to other operators in another part of the country. This can be a real problem when a competitor has that company name trademarked and wants to protect its company name in court. A less legally troubling problem is changing your company name inconsistently and confusing your customers. You may have added the words "worldwide," or "global," or "transportation," or something else to your website, but you still have the old company name everywhere else. And then you might change the name again in six months, further confusing people.
Here are a few articles to review that offer guidance on protecting your business name:
Business Name Registration
Picking the Perfect Name for your Corporation
How to Name Your Business
BAD GUYS: A limo operator and his mechanic are
going to jail in England for dealing cocaine. The limousine business was just a front for drug dealing. Using a chauffeured transportation business as a storefront for an illegal business, and to use the limos to transport contraband, also happens in the U.S., according to an FBI agent who spoke to me off the record. It's not a common occurrence, but it does happen near airports in major cities. It's very good to background check your affiliates and farm-outs - just in case.
-- J.L.
WHAT'S NEXT?: That election campaign was dragged out for quite a long time - nearly two years. It looks like the decision has been made and there won't be any lawsuits challenging state balloting, a la the 2000 election. Both McCain and Bush have given complimentary bow out speeches. So what's next for President-elect Obama, and how will this affect the chauffeured transportation industry?
CNN Money offers a good overview of the economic issues that affect the new administration. The limousine industry has mixed feelings. In an LCTmag.com web poll that happened about two months ago, a little more than half of the respondents backed McCain and the rest Obama. Speakers at industry events have mostly expressed apprehension about the impact of an Obama administration on labor laws and enforcement, business regulations, and taxes. Whatever the Obama administration and the increased number of Democratic House and Senate members go after, they have something much larger to deal with than anything else: the credit crisis and its impact on the global economy. They'll have to dig through this with the help of the other party, the business community, and the public.
-- Jon LeSage
NLA President Richard Kane recommends that members contact their U.S. senators on amendments to the Real Interstate Driver Equity (RIDE) Act. This will also be coming up before the House either in late November or after the first of the year.
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GREAT IDEA: What is it about bank robbers using limos to get away? The latest episode,
which happened in Dallas, is not the first time this has happened this year. Perhaps watching TV news or surfing the web gives these guys ideas: "Hey, I'm going to do that in my town!" A stretch limo might look much better as a getaway car than a rusted out, crashed in 1985 Buick LeSabre, but it doesn't seem to be working for these bad guys.
Here's commentary from New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission Chairman Matthew Daus on the Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade's lawsuit on the black car 25 MPG rule.
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Two previous chairpersons of the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission are supporting the federal lawsuit filed by the Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade challenging the 25 MPG rule that is due to start up Oct. 31, 2008. Howard Harrison sent out this response in Limo Talk National Newswire from current chair Matthew Daus and the original press release announcing opposition to the TLC's mandate.
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CUSTOMER CONFLICT: It's not an easy time for operators, especially those in hurricane zones or dealing with corporate clients going out of business. Unfortunately, there's a more regular, routine problem that comes up: dealing with unruly, violent customers. Two stories were posted with this sad tale - one in
Toronto and one in
Daytona Beach. Why is it that an industry that provides such a high level of service gets dragged into these messes? Passenger alcohol and drug overuse is part of it, along with powder keg problems in major cities. Many chauffeured companies do what they can to subvert or stop these fights through chauffeur training, dispatcher communications, law enforcement agency relationships, and vehicle security equipment.
STRETCH MARKS: Corporate executives have been shunning stretch limousines for years now, especially after the Enron fiasco happened and federal corporate clean-up legislation was passed earlier this decade. And the negative public image goes back even further, especially into the 1980s. That's when people were worried about being perceived as similar to
Gordon Gekko. Gekko was the main character in the hit Oliver Stone movie,
"Wall Street," which lambasted financier corruption and ironically came out the same year as the October stock market plunge. These days, corporate execs want chauffeured rides, but they're being picked up in black sedans, SUVs, buses, and executive vans. Stretches are cool for retail customers (especially kids) who want them for special events and nights on the town. My, how things change.
WAGE TRENDS AND COMPARISONS: It goes without saying that wages and labor issues have moved to the forefront of operator concerns. Here are the latest findings from payscale.com on what chauffeurs are earning, based on experience and region of the country.
Operators with vehicles carrying more than 15 passengers (that means 14 plus driver) is requiring more from state and federal Dept. of Transportation standards, no matter if it's a stretch limo, bus, or van. Limousine Association of Houston President Joe Jordan sent out this Texas DOT summary to members.
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The U.S. Senate just passed a $25 billion loan program for automakers building fuel efficient vehicles. The House also passed this bill on Wednesday
and President Bush is expected to sign it by end of day tomorrow. Automakers have been lobbying hard for this money for nearly two years as they feel the pressure of increasing vehicle fuel efficiency at least 40% by 2020. To reach this level, automakers' costs will be more than $25 billion, but they've been asking for a cost-saving loan program such as this one. Detroit was able to get what it needs during days of $700 billion loan clamor.
California's Public Utilities Commission is
banning cellphone use by train engineers a week after a Metrolink crash in Los Angeles took 25 lives and badly injured other passengers. The engineer was text messaging that day, though it's not clear yet whether that was the cause of the collision. The PUC also oversees chauffeured transportation. California, like many other states, recently banned the use of hand-held cell phones in cars, requiring drivers to use speaker phones or Bluetooth. Communicating with chauffeurs in California and several other states should be regulated by operators and not so much by state governments.
There's a lot coming up very soon: LCT East at the Mohegan Sun, and then right after that, I'll be flying over to Chicago to attend the first-ever
Green Fleet Conference. I'm looking forward to learning more about the fuel and vehicle options that affect operators and will be covering it online and in LCT Magazine. Green Fleet is being put on by Automotive Fleet, a sister publication here at Bobit Business Media. It will mostly be made up of corporate and government fleet managers and auto manufacturers and suppliers promoting their green programs. This should be good - I used to cover that industry and know that fleet managers have been bringing alternative-fuel vehicles into their fleets since the early 1990s and have a lot of experience with every thing you can think about: CNG and LNG, propane, hybrids, hybrid electric, hydrogen fuel cell, ethanol, and in the '90s - methanol. I can't wait - maybe I'll see you there.
-- Jon LeSage
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is lobbying the state legislature to support his "pay-as-you-drive" insurance plan,
where drivers would pay insurance rates based on how many miles driven per year. The article doesn't mention drivers who go beyond the normal average of 15,000 to 20,000 miles per year in their personal cars. What about a chauffeured transportation vehicle that's running 50,000 or more miles a year? What would that cost compared to insurance rates paid by the industry today? Will transportation companies be considered seperately and be able to negotiate fleet discounts? This has to move through the state legislature, but it sounds like it could go over and be adopted.
Working the Democratic and Republican conventions is like having the Super Bowl in your city. You can make a lot of revenue and gain new clients, but you can also face a lot of problems. This is one of the main reasons operators should join state limousine associations. Officers and members from the Limousine Association of Colorado and the Minnesota Chauffeured Transportation Association have attended organizing sessions put on by convention planners and government agencies involved with the upcoming Democratic convention (Denver, Aug. 25-28) and the Republican convention (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Sept. 1-4). The associations are quite clear on state and federal transportation rules that control the events, and can negotiate with local government to resolve problems before they happen and inform members on what needs to be done to get through the conventions successfully.
Another story on a limo being used in a bank robbery, this time in the Pittsburgh area. This isn't the first time limos have been used in a crime. It's one of the weird parts of being in this industry, and it makes questions come up. Who owns this limo? Was the operator or chauffeur involved in the robbery? Will the police make this information public? Weird things definitely happen to transportation companies in this country, just ask somebody in the car rental industry.
LEARN HOW TO LOBBY: The chauffeured transportation industry is doing more government relations work now than ever. But it's not an easy thing to do at first - getting guidance is necessary. The Maryland Limousine Association is hosting a one-day training session on “how to lobby for your local limousine association”.
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Jim Luff discusses his recent insurance audit and offers advice on how to prepare for the site inspection.
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Ford's Limousine & Livery Manager Doug Walczak is sending out a letter to the industry on the "black car" MPG rules in New York City, and a method for changing over Town Cars and not having to only purchase hybrids. His detailed letter is presented here and is valuable for operators to read.
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Most operators get headaches when they think about having their offices inspected by the state highway patrol, public utilities commission, or some other agency. Stardust Cruises, based in Santa Maria, Calif., used this opportunity to put out a press release. Read on for a good example of how/why operators need to put out more company info to the media.
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Jim Luff laments new legal trends impacting the industry, including the brand-new “hands-free” cell phone law in California.
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Ever-increasing gasoline and diesel prices make the public and transportation business owners feel frustrated and powerless on a weekly basis. And being an elected official criticized for not doing anything about the crisis is also a stress machine. A
New York Times article lays out the heated argument in Congress. As the story says: "Fourth of July fireworks came early on Capitol Hill."
"The failure of the U.S. transportation network to meet the needs of a growing population and economy is already having an impact on everything from safety to the environment, from quality of life to economic growth. We must immediately reform the approach we take for funding, planning, and building infrastructure so that we can keep people and goods moving across the country and around the world." So says Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Click here to read his commentary and intense reader reactions.
Here's
a site to visit if want to read the latest on what's happening with airports and airlines: a topic that affects many chauffeured transportation operators. As airlines cut down on their flights to save money on jet fuel and other expenses, operators are losing some of their bookings. Staying posted is important these days.
He looks like such a nice guy, but is he ripping off the public? That's the claim made about North Carolina Governor Mike Easley
in the Charlotte Observer. The state spent $61,000 for daily chauffeured Mercedes rides for the governor and his wife. Is this reasonable for state taxpayers to cover? And how many chauffeured trips are they talking about? The point here is that chauffeured rides are being mentioned in the newspapers regularly these days as an example of misspending of tax funds. That is not good for the industry - keep it in mind as another topic for explaining the positive points on why elected officials and government agency managers are making a smart, effective move using chauffeured transportation.
New Jersey's Star-Ledger
ran a grim story about a New Jersey man who will be sentenced today for raping a limousine driver last year. Unfortunately, safety can be a crisis point for companies in this business, and having top security procedures and protocols in place is a must do. What does your company do? Feedback is always good to read.
AMERICAN INVASION: What can be more inspiring than the sight of an American-style limousine in London?
Our British brethren appear to embrace American limousines with enthusiasm, so much so in fact, that 40 percent of stretch limousines on British roadways are considered illegal.
A recent article highlights the
industry woes amid encouraging signs that demand for stretch limousines remains strong.
Now the British face the vexing trade-offs that many industry associations contend with across the U.S.: How do you regulate the limousine industry enough to ensure fair competition and safety, but not so much that you stifle businesses and entrepreneurship?
CRIMINAL HISTORY? Operators would be required to check drivers' criminal records if recently filed legislation becomes law in Massachusetts. Once authorities found out a registered sex offender with a suspended license had driven kids to a prom,
Rep. William Lantigua, D-Lawrence, filed the bill. Click here to read the story.
GREEN SCENE: Some "luxury limousine" companies doing business in New York City are going green, although they don't have to.
New York-based Town Car International is one of those companies, said Russ Cooke, CEO. Along with office greening, the company is implementing New York City Taxi & Limousines Commission guidelines. Although it doesn’t belong to the “black car” category; it is alternative-fuel vehicles including natural gas vehicles, hybrids, and bio-fueled vehicles; suggesting shared rides to clients when appropriate; and, using directional and tracking GPS units in all vehicles to improve usage and travel time, Cooke said.
Avoiding the mandatory purchase of fleet vehicles that get at least 25 mpg is a relief for "luxury limousine" operators. "Black car" operators are seeing the other side of the coin...
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Click here to read a column in the Orlando Sentinel where a chauffeur asked for guidance on the legal issues related to receiving tips from passengers. Feedback from an Orlando -based labor-and-employment lawyer is presented in the story.
Every limousine industry association should have a website. Most do, but it's important to keep them up-to-date, and a site that visitors would come back and use. The Great Lakes Limousine Association, a Michigan organization serving Detroit and other state markets, has upgraded its website.
Click here to see news, an event calender, GLLA officers, downloadable industry documents, and other useful information.
If you've never done it before, attending the NLA's once-a-year Day on the Hill is a thing of wonder. You get to walk through underground tunnels to meet with members of Congress and their key staffmembers... you get to smell and feel the history of the country's legislative center... you'll feel like you're making a difference informing decision makers about issues of great concern to chauffeured transportation companies. Go the
NLA website for details and a registration form.
CHAUFFEUR POSEURS ARE NOT ENTREPRENEURS: Prom season brings big demand for limousines, and plenty of opportunities for some off-the-books operators.
This article shows how a lack of enforcement in Maryland worsens the problem of illegal operators.
Another investigative
TV report reveals how an illegal operator was netted in Lynchburg, Va.
Both the
Virginia Limousine Association and
Maryland Limousine Association are examples of how associations nationwide can create awareness and enhance enforcement of the problem.
Legal operators should make available upon client request ample proof that they are registered either with the state's Public Utilities Commission, Public Service Commission, or comparable authorizing agency of operator licenses.
PROM AND GRADUATION SEASON: Showing proof of a legal operator license is good for business. Prospective clients are increasingly being made aware of the importance of doing business with limousine operators that are licensed and legal. In many states, consumers can verify an operator's status by contacting the Public Utilities Commission. A good public relations tactic for an operator is to become an authority in the local media on the subject of doing business with certified, legal chauffeured transportation providers. Operators should consider sponsoring public service announcements in high school publications and on school websites, as well as local homeowner association newsletters and websites.
One of the strongest sentiments among industry operatives at the ILCT Show was a growing exasperation with increasingly meddlesome governments at all levels. It seems as if politicians grasping for more tax nickels can’t seem to leave their pudgy, smudgy fingers off the polished limos. Like the fat kid that wants one more cookie-jar treat, the greasy-slippery finger crowd keeps trying to pick the pockets of limousine and chauffeured vehicle operators.
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Mayor Bloomberg’s speech last week on “green” regulations being implemented in New York City has intensely caught the attention of the chauffeured transportation industry. It’s not clear to the major companies whether they have to comply with these new rules and when that will happen. As for now, this is what we’re hearing about the proposed rules:
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