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Munich — Sixt Limousine Service was named Europe’s Leading Chauffeur Company at the 22nd annual World Travel Awards (WTA) ceremony. Held September 5 in Sardinia, the event is considered to be the travel and tourism industry’s equivalent to the Academy Awards, with winners selected based on a poll of industry experts worldwide. This is the third consecutive year that Sixt Limousine Service has taken the award in this category.
“We are delighted that our limousine service has again received the WTA,” said Regine Sixt, senior executive vice president of Sixt International. “The prize confirms that we are correct to insist on providing our customers with tailor-made premium services, always bringing them to their destination with the greatest possible comfort, and offering them a unique travel experience.”
Sixt Limousine Service offers a broad range of services, from shuttle and event services to airport transfers and sightseeing trips, with specially trained, multilingual drivers and premium vehicles. Service is primarily aimed at travelers with particularly high standards for their mobility. The diplomatic corps of various countries are among the company’s clients.
Visit sixtlimousine.com for more information.
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President Jeff Shanker of
A-1 Limousine
Princeton, N.J. — On September 16, members of the Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) met up to discuss industry developments and local legislation. Chauffeur Driven’s Publisher Chris Weiss and Editor Madeleine Maccar were both on hand for the association’s first event since its May auction.
President Jeff Shanker of A-1 Limousine opened up the meeting by announcing that Chris Stochholm of New Jersey Limo Finder is ready to start putting the LANJ logo on apparel and items to boost the group’s public recognition, build brand unity, and put some money back in the association’s coffers. As Stochholm had been acting as a one-man committee, Jennifer Wong of DriveProfit and Dan Sutich of Perfect Chauffeur both volunteered to help with the association’s marketing arm.
As state legislation was on recess for July and August, LANJ’s legislative committee saw a laidback summer—though members forged ahead with their grassroots effort both by walking the halls and speaking with the state’s elected officials on behalf of legally operating transportation companies. The association has been appealing to a number of senators and has managed to make some headway with a number of them by stressing TNCs’ ongoing insurance and safety issues.
Oscar Garrido of Partners Transportation (left) and CD Publisher Chris Weiss
Ambiguous wording in newly proposed regulations about sharing buses between companies and the sheer volume of paperwork involved has the association working to get the final rule overturned, as the “recordkeeping nightmare” it would create could be logistically prohibitive to loaning out buses.
In response to the many software options now available to operators, LANJ will hold a technology symposium September 30 at EmpireCLS’s headquarters. Dashride, Deem, GroundWidgets, GroundSpan, and Trip Tracker are among those who have agreed to present at the symposium.
New business included extending hearty kudos to the social media committee for generating “some pretty incredible page visit numbers” with regard to LANJ’s Facebook page. It was, however, agreed that the page should refocus on lauding LANJ members rather than relying too much on sharing negative press for TNCs.
Cadillac and Vehicle Tracking Solutions both sponsored the afternoon meeting, with Fleet Account Executive Mark Leddy speaking on behalf of the former company and Director of Business Development Adam Ross representing the latter.
Jennifer Wong of DriveProfit and Chris Stochholm of New Jersey Limo Finder
Craig Sante, intelligence analyst for the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, delivered the meeting’s keynote address. Discussing the Suspicious Activity Reporting System (SARS), Sante emphasized that since LANJ members’ chauffeurs frequently visit airports and other potentially risky sites, they’re in a prime position to notice anything questionable or suspiciously out of the ordinary. His presentation touched on how terrorists can look like anyone, outlined the eight signs of terrorism, and how the exchange of information is crucial, echoing the “If you see something, say something” mantra familiar to any frequent Northeast Corridor traveler. Sante emphatically stated that information is useless unless it’s reported to the proper authorities, using SARS success stories as examples of Homeland Security in action.
Mike Marroccoli of The Capacity Group discussed the benefits of STOP, explaining that he has nothing to do with the program but promotes it out of concern for the industry in the face of “a dangerous insurance market where your livelihood is at stake,” thanks to the limited insurance options for chauffeured ground transportation. He spoke about how the program can be used as chauffeur training and be tailored to educate them about a certain region.
Toward the end of the meeting, Weiss spoke on behalf of Chauffeur Driven, highlighting its upcoming Miami show and thanking the many LANJ members in attendance who have contributed to the show as a committee member, mentor, or supporter. He also raffled off a show pass, which was won by Oscar Garrido of Partners Transportation.
The next LANJ meeting will be November 9.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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L to R: Steve Bufe of Wolfington Body Company, CD’s Philip Jagiela, and PRLA Director Anthony Onorata of Anthony Limousine
King of Prussia, Pa. — After a month’s break in its meeting schedule, the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) regrouped September 9 at Maggiano’s Little Italy, where CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela and Editor Madeleine Maccar were among approximately 30 members and supporters in attendance for a meeting that covered a range of topics.
The meeting kicked off with Jagiela discussing the rapidly approaching Chauffeur Driven Show in Miami, and noting how present PRLA member Alan Candeub of Park Avenue Limousine will be among the mentors at the Operator Mentoring Program on the first day of the show.
PRLA President Steve Rhoads of Rhoads Limousine
On behalf of software company Limo Alliance, PRLA’s newest vendor member, Matt Hayes and Raj Grewal respectively introduced the new venture and offered an overview of its services. Grewal, also of Blackbird Worldwide, explained how the Limo Alliance reservation and dispatch app “lifted the best part of TNCs so passengers have everything they want” and aims to solve the industry’s supply problem in terms of populating its app with a shared inventory among those companies on its platform, which was 26 users at the time of the meeting. Available October 1, the software targets small- to midsize operators, offers back office capabilities, and allows for a customizable interface.
PRLA President Steve Rhoads of Rhoads Limousine reported on how a few members made the trek to Harrisburg at the end of July to speak with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) legal staff, which was a largely successful endeavor and “a learning experience for both sides.” The PRLA’s representatives stressed the importance of public safety, especially in terms of TNCs’ lack of insurance, and were somewhat frustrated when the PUC didn’t respond quite as they anticipated. With state legislature, the PUC, and PennDOT all vying for jurisdiction, enforcing varying and conflicting regulations is nearly impossible—though members feel like they’re being given the runaround or simply blown off. PRLA’s membership base is encouraged to write letters to the PUC, Department of Labor, Philadelphia Parking Authority, and other related organizations to make sure their voices are heard.
A TNC hearing in Pittsburgh had been scheduled for the next day, for which PRLA members had drafted a letter meant to be read as a testimony; however, Jim Schantz, legislative assistant to Senator Linda Boscala, had to regretfully inform the room of the meeting’s cancellation. He assured everyone that the PRLA’s letter would be read at the next hearing, and that all efforts would be made to hold a similar hearing in the Philadelphia region so local operators would be able to both attend and testify.
Kevin Klumpp of Rhoads Limousine and PRLA Treasurer Chris Haines of Michael’s Classic Limousine
The TNC conversation continued, with operators conveying their displeasure that Uber Black is allowed to operate in Pennsylvania. Some operators noted how the playing field still hasn’t been leveled off (though Uber Black does follow the regulations put to traditional chauffeured ground transportation) and others conceded that “no one’s going out of business over Uber”—but it was emphasized that the industry and taxis alike must keep fighting because “once we’ve stopped fighting, we’ve lost.”
Buses were also a topic of discussion, in terms of apportioned plates, intrastate travel, and possible changes in the lease and exchange of vehicles between operators. Rhoads, an honorary director of the Limousine Association of New Jersey, shared how the neighboring association has written a response to the “absolute nightmare” presented by the proposed liability assumed by those who would borrow large vehicles from other operators.
As two seats are set to expire on the PRLA board—those of Rhoads and Director Perry Camerlengo of Luxury Limousine—the meeting ended with a discussion of association bylaws.
The next PRLA meeting is scheduled for October 7 in Doylestown.
Visit prlainc.org for more information.
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