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- Category: Industry News
You asked for it and we listened. In this column, we ask operators of all sizes and from all walks of the industry a question about their business and report their answers so you can assess how your own company compares to your peers. If you would like to participate, please email Rob Smentek at rob@chauffeurdriven.com for next issue’s question.
TOPIC: Are you giving customers "safety kits," and if so, what's included? Are they branded? If not, are you planning to offer this in the future? Also, have you installed any type of protective shields/dividers into your vehicles? Was it a simple process?
Rich Badalamenti, Vice President
Music Express East in Englewood, N.J.
Francois Bertin, Manager
Pegasus Limousine in Paris, France
Recently, we ordered protective shields that clip into the vehicles. The process is fairly simple to install. It is a selling point that our clientele feels safe and confident about our service. Our chauffeurs don’t mind having the shield installed as an extra layer of protection, even though they are also wearing masks and supplied with individualized hand sanitizer and soap.
Moe Bouayad, President
Crown Worldwide Transportation in Englewood, Colo.
Chris Cosand, President
Elite Black Car Services in Fountain View, Calif.
Agustin Hernandez, Owner
Blackcar Offers Limo Services in Mexico City, Mexico
Katarina Monsberger, Managing Director
RSL Premium Chauffeured Services in Vienna, Austria
Mert Onal, President
ZBest Worldwide in Baltimore, Md.
Virginie Perrocheau, France & International Sales Manager
Imediat Services in Paris, France
Guri Rajput, CEO
Seattle Royal Town Car & Limo in Seattle, Wash.
Jess Sandhu, Director of Operations
A&A Limousine & Bus Service in Seattle, Wash.
Quentin Shackelford, Owner
AllClassLimo.com in Wichita, Kansas
Every company that is still actively transporting passengers in this environment has had to deal with the challenge of proactively finding solutions to keep employees and customers safe. One solution that we quickly transitioned to was the purchase and installation of safety shields. We researched and worked with several vendors to consider various materials and price points, eventually landing on an acrylic material because of its clean look and effectiveness in creating a transparent barrier between the chauffeur and passenger. With the demand for this type of product being at an all-time high, some companies have done a really nice job of making these barriers very easy to install, clean, and maintain. Overall, we couldn't be happier with the response we've received from customers and chauffeurs alike. As you can imagine one of the first questions travelers are asking right now is, "what are you doing in response to this health crisis?" The response has been very positive and many customers have gone out of their way to thank us for taking strong initiatives.
Jay Velastegui, Assistant Vice President
A-1 Limousine in Princeton, N.J.
Joseph Votano, CEO
Abaser Limousine Services in Barcelona, Spain
We’ve loved hearing your answers to our benchmarking questions—but we always welcome suggestions for future topics, too!
Send an email to rob@chauffeurdriven.com you just might see your query answered in our next E-News.
[06.02.20]
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- Category: Industry News
On May 27, the House passed H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, which offered some new guidelines for loan forgiveness eligibility. The bill changes some important components of the PPP to allow businesses more flexibility with the amount spent on payroll and benefits, as well as extending the critical eight-week window for spending the funds. The American Bus Association (ABA), one of many organizations that has been pushing public officials for reforms, responded to the passing of the House bill.
"We appreciate the House taking this action and recognizing the hardship small businesses are facing, particularly for those who did not fully understand their obligations after initially accepting funds under the PPP,” said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso. “By extending the original loan coverage period to 24 weeks, rather than the original eight weeks, and extending the deadline for rehiring workers till the end of the year, the legislation can help some businesses in terms of eligibility for loan forgiveness. But there are many transportation-related businesses who have not received or qualified for PPP money, or who won’t qualify for loan forgiveness, and their struggle for survival during this pandemic continues. We need Congress to do more. As the traveling public remains at home, with businesses and schools shuttered, and the prospect of public transportation on hold for the foreseeable future, these essential transportation businesses cannot hold out without additional help from Congress, just like the other transportation modes received. The private motorcoach industry needs $15 billion in grants and loans to keep moving America when citizens are ready and able to travel again."
Although H.R. 7010 has passed the House, the Senate is currently considering its own bill, which is expected to be voted on this week. There are critical differences in the two chambers’ bills, including maintaining the 75 percent threshold for salaries and benefits in the Senate bill.
Visit buses.org for more information.
[06.01.20]
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- Category: Industry News
Last week, the National Limousine Association (NLA) put out a call to action to its members to reach out their congressional representatives in support of proposed changes to the Paycheck Protection Program. In less than a week, NLA President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide reported that they had seen more than 1,800 responses. In a process that takes only about a minute to complete, members are connected to their representatives.
The PPP has been a lifeline for numerous small business nationwide, although it has been a bit imperfect in how it applies to our industry. The chief issues regarding forgiveness eligibility have been the eight-week period for usage of funds and the requirement of spending 75 percent on salaries and benefits.
But good news: The House passed its version of reforms in the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (H.R. 7010) on May 27, which could offer the following relief:
- Reducing 75/25 ratio (payroll/utilities and rent) to 60/40 for more flexibility with loan forgiveness
- Extending deadline to rehire from June 30 to Dec. 31
- Increasing loan maturation from two years to five years
- Extending the covered period for forgiveness from eight weeks from the date of origination to the earlier of 24 weeks from the origination date or December 31, 2020
The Senate is considering its own version of the bill, which is expected to be voted on this week. Vitally, the Senate bill does not include the modified 60/40 ratio, so more work is needed.
“While that is a great initial push, it is vital that as many people as possible use this tool to help make our collective industry voice even louder,” Alexander wrote in his weekly President’s Letter to members. “If you have already shared our requests with your representatives, it is greatly appreciated. I hope you have shared this call to action on your social media and with your colleagues, affiliates, and employees.”
The link to the call to action is available here.
The NLA also has an extensive COVID-19 resource page, including near daily updates on legislative efforts through its lobbying firm Cornerstone Government Affairs, available here.
[06.01.20]