- Details
- Category: Industry News
Jacksonville, Fla. — East Coast Transportation announced that it has launched a next-generation reservation/dispatch platform in an effort to improve customer service and streamline its reservation systems online, on mobile devices, and in its back office.
According to Mike Sobol, managing member of the company, the platform was developed from the ground up, to integrate all facets of technology like mobile communications, GPS, telephony, and corporate bookings into a cohesive platform. East Coast Transportation leverages the latest SantaCruz technology for faster performance, ease of booking online or via mobile device, and more efficient routing of its team. The app, which is available on the company’s website, allows customers to book service, track their chauffeur, and manager their trips.
“We’ve made a considerable investment in technology to better service our customers and affiliates,” he says. “The new app-based software will simplify the reservation process and streamline the workflow for service delivery. Customers today like using their phones and tablets to do business and the SantaCruz platform makes it all possible. We are excited about the new software.”
Visit ectjax.com for more information.
[CD0415]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
The meeting kicked off with establishing that this year’s Monte Carlo Night will be held at Twining Hall again, PRLA President Steve Rhoads of Rhoads Limousine (who holds an honorary board position with the Limousine Association of New Jersey) discussing the differences in Pennsylvania and New Jersey’s TNC fights, and some association housekeeping. Rhoads also advised operators to continue speaking with their representatives and senators, and provided a list of key issues to serve as possible talking points during those meetings.
Mike Barreto of Flyte Tyme Worldwide also cited a recent study from expense management provider Certify, which addressed the “huge jump” in Uber’s percentage of all paid ground transportation rides in North America over the course of a year: In March 2014, it accounted for 15 percent of the continent’s ground transportation; in March 2015, it held a whopping 47 percent of that total.
“A 32 percent jump in just one year is extremely scary,” he said, adding that Uber also represented 71 percent of business travelers’ first-quarter ground transportation spending in San Francisco, 56 percent in Dallas, and 49 percent in Washington, D.C.
Jim Schantz, a legislative assistant from Pennsylvania Senator Lisa Boscala’s office, spoke about the state budget, warning all in attendance, “The governor’s looking for every possible dollar sources he can and nothing is off the table: Don’t be surprised if your industry becomes a sales-taxable item, too.” He echoed Rhoads’s call for meeting with state and local representatives.
“When you go speak to your local senators, remind them that you have enjoyed being a non-sales tax industry and your customers have enjoyed that, too,” Schantz said. “Urge them not to pass the sales tax that you would have to pass on to your customers.”
Schantz also explained that state government “hasn’t had to deal with a whole new entity in years” and touched on two ways that things could play out: Either legislation will have to recognize TNCs under PUC’s rules and regulations, or “Uber will cease to exist.”
Senate Bill 447 was also among the topics Schantz discussed, as he provided a summary of the regulatory, safety, and liability issues it addresses. Introduced in February, SB-447 defines the differences between livery companies and TNCs, and calls for stricter regulations of the latter to better align with the state regulations imposed on the former.
Chauffeur Driven’s Director of Events Lori Battista and Editor Madeleine Maccar were both present for the meeting. They raffled off a pass to October’s Miami Show, which was won by Mel and Don Marrolli of A. Royal Limousine.
The next PRLA meeting is currently planned for May 13.
Visit prlainc.com for more information.
[CD0415]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
The association had previously hired a business advocacy firm, The Rotunda Group, to assist with the regulatory issues it has in regard to TNCs, and lobbyist Riggs Lewis provided an update on legislative affairs. The group has been meeting with local government representatives on behalf of the KLA, and in mid-May will bring one of its members along to discuss the association’s issues with the chairmen of both the House and Senate’s transportation committees.
HB-207—a bill that not only laid out TNC regulations but also recognized what Lewis called “legislatively brand-new territory” with a new section of the Kentucky Revised Statutes—passed 90-7 in the House earlier this year. But the specifics of enforcing those regulations and the authority to do so continue to be murky areas, especially since Uber and Lyft have been pushing back and launching local campaigns to drum up fresh support.
App-on/app-off insurance coverage and safety education are the new TNC battlegrounds in Kentucky, and Lewis advised KLA’s members that, if they’re unhappy with something, “we can always amend a statute to any session we want to be more specific because, typically… a statute is always a trump card over regulation.” The next step, he said, is to apply pressure to the cabinet to have regulations put in place to the KLA’s liking.
The conversation then moved to association matters, with Jenny Summit of Xtreme Transportation delivering the treasurer’s report and KLA President Carey Fieldhouse of R & R Limousine inviting members to suggest ideas for fleshing out future meetings’ non-business content. Guest speakers, site visits to members’ facilities, and a trip to local coachbuilding factories were all among the considerations for future meetings to include.
KLA’s booth at the Kentucky State Fair this August was also on the docket for the monthly meeting, particularly in terms of what vehicle will be on display for the 10-day event. As previous fairs have proven with stretch limousines and Mercedes-Benz Sprinters drawing a significant crowd, Todd Roberts of Jaco Limousine Service pointed out that “the vehicle is a huge deal” when it comes to booth traffic.
The meeting ended on a light note, as NeVelle Skaggs of Skaggs Limousine & Transportation talked about how the TV show “Flip My Food” will be filming at his company’s showroom on April 24 for a segment about cooking in RVs.
Chauffeur Driven’s Editor Madeleine Maccar was on hand for the meeting, and spoke about both the magazine and CD’s upcoming events. She also raffled off a pass to CD’s Miami show, which was won by Summit.
KLA will not be holding a May meeting because of the Kentucky Derby, but will regroup on June 2 in Louisville.
Visit kylimo.org for more information.