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FLA President Rick Versace Fort Lauderdale — When Florida Limousine Association (FLA) met up January 24 with more than 40 companies represented, all eyes were on a statewide proposal from Uber that would allow the company to operate in all 67 counties without regulations from each municipality, while also sidestepping taxes enforced by authorities at the state’s ports and airports.
The TNC is looking to pay a flat $5,000 fee to eschew traditional operating standards in the state, a privilege that, if not also afforded to traditional transportation providers, could further create an uneven playing field in an already fractured state.
With the state legislation session beginning in early March, FLA President Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine Service stressed the importance of starting now to formulate a strategy, organize, and come together.
“If they succeed in passing this legislation, it’s game over,” Versace said. “We need to either stop this bill or get the taxi and limousine industries included in it. We know Uber is here to stay and has hired some of the most powerful lobbyists in the state but now we're asking that we're given the same opportunities that the TNCs are--if they're given carte blanche to operate within the entire state, then we want that, too.”
The issue will be further discussed at future FLA meetings, starting with the next one in Las Vegas on March 14.
Visit floridalimousine.com for more information.
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WLA President Mike Hartmann
Madison, Wis. — Wisconsin Limousine Association (WLA) President Mike Hartmann of Stardust Limousines and WLA member Larry Epstein of Gallant Knight Limousine represented the Badger State’s livery industry at a January 31 meeting of the Wisconsin Coordinated Transportation Cooperative (WCTC). The WCTC is a collective of transportation associations representing the likes of rail, taxi, shared-ride companies, medical transport, and chauffeured transportation, all working together for a common goal.
The meeting, moderated by WLA lobbyist Gary Goyke, and Wisconsin Association of Taxicab Owners President Paul Bitorff, was meant to establish WCTC’s role in unifying various transportation groups, as well as how it will serve as an umbrella organization facilitating discussions and advocacy work regarding legislative initiatives that will affect all transportation providers in Wisconsin.
Additionally, the meeting covered not only the Legislature’s recent actions and how they will affect the state’s transportation industry but also the continued threat of TNCs—though to a lesser degree.
“Uber/TNCs were not talked about a lot,” Hartmann reported, adding that WCTC is working to add amendments to a proposed state TNC-related bill that the collective is just starting to work on. “TNCs want to get into medical transportation in Wisconsin because there are subsidies from the state they would receive if they get into this area of transportation.”
The WLA representatives addressed the 5-percent rental fee for higher-occupancy vehicles that they, the rest of the association, and Wisconsin operators have been inconvenienced by—and a fee that only affects luxury ground transportation.
There will be a Legislative Day for all transportation providers in Wisconsin on March 8 at the state capital of Madison. Hartmann strongly encourages those who operate in the state to attend, and the association is working on developing letters and brief talking points for those who will be speaking with elected officials during the event.
“We need to let them know what we are about so they stop taking stances against us,” Hartmann said. “We are part of the solution, not part of the problem.”
The next WLA conference call will be March 15.
Visit wisconsinlimo.org for more information.
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Springfield, Mo. — First Class Customs is pleased to announce that it has received MasterUpfitter status from Mercedes-Benz for 2017-2018. According CEO Jay Glick, “this requires builders to follow strict guidelines for electrical and body modifications that meet or exceed all FMVSS and DOT standards.”
Sprinter interior as finished by First Class Customs
All seating is pull tested for safety, and this ensures compliance with the highest of standards as set by Mercedes-Benz.
“First Class Customs plans to capitalize on our MasterUpfitter status by focusing the core of our production on building high-end private vehicles. Our goal is to make the private-sector builds more than 50 percent of our business,” said Glick. “With a high level of fit and finish plus price value, we are in a great position to compete.”
Over the coming months, First Class Customs will be debuting several new models, including a Sprinter limousine interior to be released this month.
Visit firstclasscustomsinc.com for more information.
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