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Transportation fleet operators from around the country met with federal lawmakers June 13 in Washington, D.C., bringing with them messages urging safety measures on federal contracts and fair business practices at America’s airports.
Members of the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA) met with dozens of U.S. representatives, senators, and staffers as part of the trade group’s annual Legislative Fly-In. Members focused discussions on two major issues for the industry.
First, members discussed the importance of requiring that drivers who provide transportation services funded in part by the federal government submit to and pass a national fingerprint-based background check. More than 80 programs across the federal government are authorized to fund transportation services for individuals with disabilities, older adults, veterans, people with lower incomes, and others who require alternatives to traditional public transportation services.
“The public must feel, at all times, that safety is the primary concern,” TLPA President Bill Scalzi said. “Proper biometric-based background checks are the gold standard, and they definitively confirm that drivers are who they say they are. These checks can protect passengers from harm and serve as a deterrent to dangerous actions, including everything from assaults to terrorist acts.”
Second, members discussed the importance of ensuring a level playing field for transportation companies that provide service to America’s airports. Fees for airport access for such companies must be proportional to the use of such facilities, the members said. In addition, if passengers cannot find a carrier because it lacks equal access to on-site facilities, or if operating rules favor one provider over another, then airports risk artificially distorting the market.
“If companies abide by the same safety rules and pay a fair fee for access to airports, then passengers will decide for themselves what is the best mode of transportation, rather than the airport tipping the scale in favor of one company over another,” Scalzi said.
These issues and others will be topics of discussion at the TLPA’s 99th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Denver, Colo., from October 8-12.
Visit tlpa.org for more information. [CD0817]
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ALA’s Casino Night drew a crowd of nearly 130 attendeesScottsdale, Ariz. — When the Arizona Limousine Association (ALA) hosted its first-ever Casino Night fundraiser on July 29, familiar industry vendor Chosen Payments served as the co-producer of a debut event that drew nearly 130 guests.
Held at local dealership Certified Benz & Beemer, the showroom was cleared out to accommodate blackjack, roulette, and craps tables, prizes, and lots of event attendees. Among the triple-digital turnout were Greg Maddock of SoCal Penske and Dan Bourbonnais of The Hudson Group, who traveled from California to show their support for the ALA and represent their respective companies, both of which were sponsors of the event.
Jason and Kendra Kaplan of The Driver Provider
Additional sponsors who helped make the night of food, fun, and gambling a success included Chauffeur Driven, Create-A-Card, Drive Profit, Creative Bus Sales, Driving Results, First Class Customs, FastTrak, GroundWidgets, Livery Coach, and Chosen Payments.
Chosen Payments Marketing Manager Jim Luff, who also serves as an ALA board member, proposed the Casino Night idea last year after the credit card processor helped host a similar event for the Greater California Livery Association. He also served as both the emcee and chairman for the ALA’s fundraiser.
The evening raised not only almost $5,000 for the regional association but also awareness of its efforts on behalf of the industry. According to ALA President Jeff Conly of Vitesse Worldwide, the event, which he plans to see become an annual one, also serves as a way to introduce non-members to the ALA in a friendly, casual setting, as well as highlight the benefits of membership.
ALA’s next event will be its meeting today, August 8.
Visit azlimousineassociation.com for more information.
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Essington, Pa. — 
Those in attendance included transportation vendors and operators The first general membership meeting of the United Passenger Transportation Association of Pennsylvania (UPTAPA) was held June 26, which was attended by Chauffeur Driven Editor Madeleine Maccar and Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela. Jagiela also serves as executive director of the new association.
Before the meeting even formally began, the intimate group of attendees quickly struck up an impassioned, frank conversation about TNCs, with particular focus on the gig model’s overall failings and also how its companies’ meteoric rise in popularity both created and perpetuates a public demand for them, making the likes of Uber and Lyft veritable powerhouses that have incited an indelible change in the for-hire vehicle game.
Much of the meeting was dedicated to establishing the goals of an association that was organized to unify all facets of ground transportation throughout the state, including taxis, paratransit, ambulances, school buses, airport shuttles, and livery.
Mike Barreto of Eagle Chauffeured Services and Douglas Rydbom of Premiere #1 Limousine represented the UPTAPA leadership team of operators, with Louis Weiner of All Star Limousine Worldwide unable to attend. Baretto kicked off the day’s agenda by explaining UPTAPA’s goals, philosophy, and focus. He said that with the May inaugural meeting attracting attendees from as far as New York and from transportation companies throughout Pennsylvania, there is a demonstrated need for a statewide association that bridges the gap among transportation providers.
CD Editor Madeleine Maccar and UPTAPA Executive Director Philip Jagiela Both he and Rydbom emphasized that the nascent association is not looking to compete with any others currently in existence; rather, that they were filling a void while assembling a greater presence for transportation providers and amassing a more effective conduit for increased efficiency and expediency in exchanging information.
“It’s all about the unity of Pennsylvania transportation,” Rydbom explained. “There’s a lot going on but we don’t always hear about it right away—sometimes, bus companies or other vendors know more than we do.”
“Our value proposition is to offer unity, legislative efforts, and strength in numbers for a bigger voice,” Barreto added. “There is no other statewide transportation association that aims to unify school buses, livery, taxis, and paratransit. We’re offering all Pennsylvania transportation outfits a unified front for a stronger presence on The Hill and strength in numbers in general.”
Indeed, the association plans to take to the state capital in Harrisburg for a Day on the Hill in November. It also divided the country’s sixth largest state into three smaller sections—Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh— to host a meeting twice a year to ensure that even the most far-flung potential members have a chance to attend the meetings geographically closet to them.
The association is currently looking to put a lobbyist in place to assist with its legislative agenda. Jagiela, who also works with other associations within the industry, provided a national perspective on how other more livery-centric associations are facing many of the same problems, and that the bigger and more successful ones have successfully leveraged their social media presence and digital communications to improve their reach and broadcast their message. He said it is of the utmost importance to adapt to these rapidly shifting times to remain not only relevant but also in business.
“This association is embracing change, not standing in the way of it or railing against it,” Jagiela promised.
The next UPTAPA meeting will be held in the Pittsburg region on September 27.
Visit uptapa.org for more information.
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