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Winnipeg, Manitoba — After two long years of lobbying the Winnipeg Taxi Board, Sunshine Transit Services finally won the right to use MV-1 vehicles in its fleet. The MV-1 vehicles are built specifically for the transport of disabled, wheelchair-bound clients and their passengers who don’t want to ride in the traditional, conspicuous vans.
The Winnipeg Taxi Board initially denied Sunshine Transit an accessible limousine license in 2012. With the signing of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA), help from the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD) and the Public Interest Law Center, Manitoba's one and only accessible limo license was granted to Sunshine Transit Services in August 2014.
"People with disabilities experience the same life events as people without disabilities, such as trips to the airport, graduations, weddings, and funerals. All situations in which you might want access to a limo,” says Allen Mankewich, a wheelchair user. "Having the option to ride in an accessible limousine ensures we are able to enjoy the world the same way other people do.”
"Sunshine Limo was created to support the disability community. I sincerely thank all those who helped us advocate for accessible limousine service in Winnipeg,” says Gary Jakeman, owner of Sunshine Transit Services.
Visit sunshinetransit.ca for more information.
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Marlton, N.J. — The National Limousine Association (NLA) received the results from the 2015 Board of Directors Election, according to an announcement last Friday, February 6. The ballots were received, tallied, and audited by Strouss, Hui, Roomberg Ellis, P.C.
The following seven operators have been elected to serve the 2015-2018 term on the NLA Board of Directors:
U.S. At Large: Jeff Greene of Greene Worldwide Transportation in Atlanta, Ga., and Ron Stein of Exclusive Sedan Service in North Hollywood, Calif.
U.S. Central Region: Steve Qua of Company Car & Limousine in Cleveland, Ohio
U.S. Northeast Region: Michael Campbell of Grace Limousine in Manchester, N.H.
U.S. Southeast Region: Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation in Rockville, Md.
U.S. Southeast Region: Laura Canady of SC Express Transportation in Aiken, S.C.
U.S. West Region: Christopher Quinn of Corporate Transportation Solutions in Granite Bay, Calif.
“On behalf of the entire membership, we want to truly thank each and every candidate this year, as it shows the commitment many of our members have to our association,” says NLA President Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury Limousine. “As many members may not be aware, these elected board members spend hundreds of hours per year and thousands of their own dollars traveling on your behalf. It is a true commitment they have made to you, their constituents.”
As announced last year at NLA’s Day on the Hill, the association is taking a proactive stance against the proliferation of TNCs across the industry. NLA is currently working with Evins Communication on what it calls its largest public relations campaign. The association also released a white paper on its position against TNCs, which is available on its website at limo.org.
Visit limo.org for more information.
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Barb Simkus, pictured here at ILA's inaugural Chauffeur Appreciation Day held this past October, recently retired from the association after serving as its secretary for 28 years.
Chicago — From airport regulations to legislative meetings to wishing its longtime secretary a fond farewell, 2015 has been—and promises to be—a busy year for the Illinois Limousine Association (ILA).
Zero Dwell Time, a policy that O’Hare International Airport let remain largely unenforced until recently, has been in effect since January 5. The regulation will see increased enforcement efforts at the airport, which means that chauffeurs must promptly pick up and drop-off their passengers to avoid tickets. The policy’s resurgence is O’Hare’s response to congestion at the terminals.
ILA President Tracy Raimer and Vice President/Legislative Affairs Chair Greggory Eggan recently met with State Representative David Harris to both foster a relationship with a state legislator and stay as up-to-date as possible on state initiatives that may have significant impact on the chauffeured ground transportation industry. They are continuing to make appointments in the Chicago region with industry leaders.
In his correspondence with Harris, Eggan elucidated the following points on behalf of ILA: TNC vehicles should be required to carry commercial primary insurance cards; the association remains unconvinced that placing an insurance claim with a TNC won’t cause confusion for the public; from a safety standpoint, there needs to be a way to identify both vehicles and their drivers as appropriate for ride-sharing; and the state law should take priority over lesser locally enforced rules. Additionally, ILA is in favor of the portion of rolling stock exemption for 10-15 passenger vehicles to accurately reflect gross vehicle weight limits.
The association has also recently bid adieu to its hard-working and dedicated secretary of 28 years, Barb Simkus, who has retired from the ILA but not the industry. She will continue to work part-time at A-1 Airport Limousine Service in a public relations capacity, a role she has held for the past six years.
ILA is currently seeking volunteers to assist with its Meeting Planning Committee, which is responsible for coordinating and hosting the association’s membership meeting. The association’s other plans for 2015 include: a website overhaul; expanding ILA’s role as an advocate for the industry on both the statewide and national levels; hosting educational and networking events according to members’ needs, as well as a luncheon for new members; and expand its membership to include more of the Midwest region.
ILA’s spring meeting will be May 20.
Visit illinoislimousineassociation.com for more information.
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