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Essington, Pa.—The latest meeting of the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) took place at the Deck at Harbor Pointe and included a stop on the American Motor Products (AMProd) road show, which featured presentations from several sponsors in addition to giveaways and a buffet dinner. Chauffeur Driven Show Manager Lauren D’Ambra also attended the meeting.
Mike Barreto of Flyte Tyme Worldwide Transportation updated the members on the recent sting operation, a joint effort of the Philadelphia Police Department and Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), to target illegal operators, solicitors, and TNCs. Over the two-month period, five violations were handed to illegal solicitors and one vehicle was impounded, resulting in $4,800 in fines.
Barreto also alerted members to the crackdown on livery vehicles parked illegally around the airport, including at the cell phone lot off Route 291. He noted that of the 45 summons given, 15 alone were written to Uber’s Philadelphia company, Gegen. Barreto says that the tickets are currently issued and recorded by the Department of Aviation, but will soon be converted to summary offenses and sent directly to the city of Philadelphia. This means that it could impact an operator’s registration if the fines are not paid, and vehicles can and will be booted and/or impounded.
Some good news for Philadelphia area operators: commercial pickups are at their highest levels since 2008 and that the total recorded pickups for the year is already 20 percent higher than 2013. If the trend continues, the numbers might match those of 2008, pre-recession levels.
David and Wendy Ward of AMProd gave several presentations from some of the sponsors of their road show, including those from Create-A-Card, LimoLive24, and Chosen Payments. The couple also spoke about the benefits of becoming an AMProd member for special discounts and availability of tires specifically for our industry (which can and have been in short supply elsewhere at times).
The next meeting will be held at Maggiano’s in King of Prussia on September 10.
Visit prlainc.com for more information.
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Lake Success, N.Y.—Back in March, Mosaic Global Transportation’s CEO Maurice Brewster was one of several small businesses featured in a story appearing in The Wall Street Journal about the difficulties encountered by small-business owners—especially those who are minorities—when trying to secure a bank loan. “I had contacted several banks, and they told me they didn’t like the fact that my assets were mobile, and that my national operations use a network of independent affiliates rather than employees,” says Brewster.
Michael Kaplan, vice president and a principal of Advantage Funding, based in Lake Success, N.Y., read the article and took immediate action. “After learning more about his business and discussing various options, we were certain we could offer him a loan.”
Like most businesses, Redwood City, Calif.-based Mosaic took a hit over the last few years, but by the beginning of 2013 the company was back on track, Brewster says, and 2014 points toward a strong increase of 25 percent by the end of this year. Since then Advantage Funding has provided three more loans and a letter of reference for Mosaic’s use when bidding on municipal transportation projects.
“Maurice and Mosaic Global have developed a close relationship with us, because we figured out how to meet his needs,” says Kaplan. “When we talk, it’s not just about a particular financing need, but also about business strategy. We share our knowledge where we feel we can add value. We’re looking for ways to do business, unlike other lenders that present too many hurdles.”
Brewster, meanwhile, is grateful and excited about Mosaic Global’s prospects. “I feel blessed that [Kaplan] read that newspaper article and reached out to me,” he says.
Visit advantagefund.com for more information. For more about Mosaic Global, visit mosaicglobaltransportation.com.
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The Illinois Limousine Association (ILA) held its board of directors meeting via teleconference July 15. The meeting began with a swearing-in ceremony for its new officers, who include: Tracy Hodge-Raimer of Your Private Limousine serving as president, a position she has previously held; Greg Eggan of OML Worldwide Transportation being appointed as vice president; and Paula DeBiasi of Chicago Coachworks accepting the position of secretary-treasurer. Chauffeur Driven Publisher Chris Weiss was also elected to the ILA board of directors.
Once the board business was concluded, the conversation inevitably turned to the prominent issue on the table: Uber and other rideshares. ILA members recently sent a letter to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn asking him to veto a bill that aims to regulate ridesharing services like Uber. Twenty-two of the association’s 63 members signed the letter, expressing their nearly unanimous displeasure with a bill they believe is not strong enough.
Before the teleconference concluded, the board’s special vote ended with its consent to participate in The Chauffeur Driven Show this November, where the association will have a booth on the show floor (in Association Pavilion). There will be an open board teleconference for all ILA members to join on August 20 at 1 p.m.
Visit illinoislimousineassociation.com for more information.
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