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Among those who attended were PRLA President Steve Rhodes of Rhoads Limousine and Board Member Anthony Onorata of Anthony Limousine.
PRLA Legislative Committee member Michael Barreto, Philadelphia branch manager of Flyte Tyme Worldwide, stated that the association is looking to get more proactive in its interactions with government agencies, and has even gone as far as hiring legal counsel to aid in its fight with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA).
“We planned the Day on the Hill in order to try get education out to the House side of the Hill and their consumer affairs committee regarding The Ride Share Bill that has been sitting for close to a year,” said Barreto. “We tactfully set up appointments with members on the committee and had conversations with them. The overall position we created raised a buzz.”
Barreto said the information they provided was eye-opening to a lot of the representatives and their staff, especially among those who have used TNCs in the past and were unaware of the “digital hitchhiking” aspect of the services. The PRLA members met with roughly 20 people in Harrisburg and followed up the following day by sending links to the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association’s Who’s Driving You campaign to roughly 275 legislators and staff.
“Any initiative we were able to accomplish is beneficial to the industry. We’ve gone to the Hill before, but this time we had a clear concise message,” added Barreto.
Regrettably, the Ride Share Bill was passed by the House on October 19, giving TNCs the green-light to operate permanently in the state of Pennsylvania. However, this is not viewed as a total loss to the chauffeured ground transportation industry, as Barreto pointed out that there were “amendments added in that made regulatory oversight of livery a little less burdensome.” Also, the state is reportedly restructuring the tariff requirements to not be so concrete so operators can promote more dynamic flexible pricing.
In light of this recent turn of events, PRLA will now look to focus its efforts on the battle with the PPA, specifically to combat the recent 110-percent increase in the per-vehicle rate for vehicle registration.
The next PRLA meeting is scheduled for November 15 in Atlantic City.
Visit prlainc.com for more information.
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“We are thrilled with what Lincoln has done with the 2017 release of the Continental,” said Terry Murtaugh, co-founder of United Private Car. “It’s still an icon, but completely modernized with an exciting new look and feel inside and out.”
“It’s been getting a lot of attention and positive feedback already,” added Jason Dornhoffer, United Private Car co-founder. “Our chauffeurs have been surrounded by curious drivers at the Logan Airport Limo Pool anxious to hear all about it, and most importantly our clients love the amenities and comfortable ride.”
The Continental joins United Private Car’s growing roster of luxury sedans, SUVs, and executive vans, bringing the company’s fleet to 18 vehicles.
Visit unitedprivatecar.com for more information.
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As president and CEO of Dav El/BostonCoach, the largest privately-owned chauffeured transportation company worldwide, Solombrino has grown the company through numerous acquisitions and partnerships with leading industry organizations.
He has worked tirelessly on behalf of industry issues nationwide, including successfully driving legislative wins in the battle to improve competitive business conditions for the taxi and limousine industries with transportation network companies (TNCs).
A four-time president and founder of the NLA, Solombrino has vast experience in numerous leadership posts intermittently from 1983 to 2016. He has held posts as the legislative committee co-chair, show co-chair, education co-chair and leading member of the public relations committee, where he has been a driving force advocating on behalf of transportation issues.
Additionally, Solombrino sits on the board of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), and was appointed to serve as president of the allied leadership council, which he has held for 15 years. Solombrino is one of a select few to win GBTA’s Industry Icon Award and is a two-time GBTA Allied Member of the Year winner. He also founded and served as past president of the former Massachusetts Limousine Owners Association.
He is also a member of the New York Private Livery Association and the SKAL Club of Boston. In January 2000, Solombrino was named one of the 25 most influential executives in business travel, leading the industry into the new millennium, by Business Travel News, a top trade publication. Solombrino was also named Suffolk University Alumnus of the Year in 1984 and was a Deputy Sheriff in Suffolk County in Massachusetts.
Visit bostoncoach.com for more information.
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