- Details
- Category: Industry News
“We just had a good old time. I rather enjoyed myself,” Salinger said of the anniversary shindig. “Of course, we took the next day off because my wife and I were beat. But it was great.”
Salinger’s self-launched career followed a three-year stint in the army, which he left knowing that he wanted to set out on his own path by being his own boss. Five months later and with a $1,000 loan from his father, Salinger opened the first of what would be many service stations.
In the five decades that have passed since then, Salinger has been involved in numerous transportation-industry businesses: an independent Volkswagen repair facility called The Bug Shop; heavy-truck towing, recovery, and repairs; used-car rentals; a before-its-time precursor to Jiffy Lube; and, of course, Unique Limousine, which opened in 1982 and was the first limousine company in Harrisburg. He also found time to raise a family with his wife of nearly 49 years, Josie, and served for 13 years on the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association board—two of those years as president.
“His family and employees are all so proud of his accomplishments,” said Tracy Salinger, one of his four daughters and Unique Limousine’s affiliate/general manager.
Having his family involved in his various pursuits over the years has Salinger “tickled pink,” especially since he credits their patience and dedication over the years—as well as the support of “phenomenal staff”—as the secret to the continued success of his companies that have all serviced an industry he just loves.
“Without the good Lord blessing us and having a wife and family like I have, none of this would have been possible,” he said. “Without the support of my staff—from the people who wash the cars, the mechanics, the chauffeurs, the office staff, the whole way up—it wouldn’t have happened. I tell everyone that I didn’t build this business—the staff did. I just steer it.”
And it’s important to Salinger that he’s able to continue along this path, as the most rewarding part of his time spent working in the transportation industry is helping his clients.
“I really enjoy making people happy, or being a part of what makes them happy,” he said. “When I still drove, I loved doing weddings because we were a part of someone’s happiness. It’s all about serving the public.”
It is that spirit of service and reciprocity that Salinger says exemplifies the industry, and cites as an example an upcoming springtime event Unique Limousine will be participating in, providing “very reduced rate” transportation for a nonprofit initiative to help nearly two-dozen young women without father figures.
“This isn’t a give-me business,” he says. “I have a philosophy: Give back to those who give to you. It makes me feel good because, in many ways, a lot of these people have helped me.”
Visit uniquelimousine.com for more information.
[CD0215]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
San Diego — American Motor Products (AMProd) has partnered with Michelin to bring a unique and first of its kind National Fleet Discount Card designed specifically for the people-mover segment of the tire business. Limousine, taxi, paratransit, and now motorcoach and bus fleet operators across the country can obtain their commercial fleet tires through authorized local Michelin dealers and get discounted National Fleet Account pricing.
Originally conceived as a solution for the limousine industry, AMProd partnered with Michelin in 2013 to bring a direct program through Michelin’s Business to Business solution for stretch limousines, Town Cars, and small buses under its TCAR program. In the year and a half that the AMProd National Fleet Discount Card Program has been offered, over 400 companies have signed on to participate in the People Mover fleet program. AMProd is expanding its reach into the taxi, paratransit, and motorcoach industries. With over 3,000 tires delivered in the first full year, the expectation is to grow significantly in 2015.
In addition, AMProd is expanding with an East Coast office opening in early 2015 to service its eastern seaboard clients.
Visit amprodusa.com for more information.
[CD0215]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
Winnipeg, Manitoba — After two long years of lobbying the Winnipeg Taxi Board, Sunshine Transit Services finally won the right to use MV-1 vehicles in its fleet. The MV-1 vehicles are built specifically for the transport of disabled, wheelchair-bound clients and their passengers who don’t want to ride in the traditional, conspicuous vans.
The Winnipeg Taxi Board initially denied Sunshine Transit an accessible limousine license in 2012. With the signing of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA), help from the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD) and the Public Interest Law Center, Manitoba's one and only accessible limo license was granted to Sunshine Transit Services in August 2014.
"People with disabilities experience the same life events as people without disabilities, such as trips to the airport, graduations, weddings, and funerals. All situations in which you might want access to a limo,” says Allen Mankewich, a wheelchair user. "Having the option to ride in an accessible limousine ensures we are able to enjoy the world the same way other people do.”
"Sunshine Limo was created to support the disability community. I sincerely thank all those who helped us advocate for accessible limousine service in Winnipeg,” says Gary Jakeman, owner of Sunshine Transit Services.
Visit sunshinetransit.ca for more information.
[CD0215]