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KLA President Carey Fieldhouse of R & R Limousine and KLA Secretary Kent Sparks of Lake Cumberland Limousine
Louisville — In its first meeting since the derby came to town, members of Kentucky Limousine Association (KLA) convened June 2 with a full agenda to discuss.
On June 3, the association’s lobbyists at the Rotunda Group held a meeting with Kentucky House representative Hubert Collins and the Kentucky Transportation Committee. The meeting provided a sounding board for TNC regulations, as well as an update on the statute status of both insurance requirements and the sizes of stickers all TNC drivers in the state will be required to display in their vehicles’ front windows. As of April 30, Lyft is the only ride-hailing company to meet all of the state’s regulatory requirements and was granted operating authority in Kentucky.
Also on April 30, the Division of Motor Carrier’s Office of Legal Services reported that the amendments to KRS 281 include: elimination of both certificate of need and contract carrier designation; raised fees for certificate application and annual operator authority/vehicle renewals; instituted three-year criminal background check requirement for all persons directly involved with the general public in any capacity for any company; extended driver history requirements; and added required vehicle inspections by only ASE designated facilities.
In association-specific news, five KLA members’ companies reported additions to their fleets. Combined, the new vehicles include Cadillac sedans and Escalades, a Ford Transit limo and shuttle, 5-door Lincoln MKT 120” stretch limo, replacement Lincoln L sedans, and a 38-passenger TEMSA motorcoach.
KLA members also have a full slate of upcoming events to look forward to, starting with its annual participation in the Kentucky State Fair this August. The association’s booth will feature giveaways and also display KLA Treasurer Jenny Summit’s limobus.
The association will also host its first-ever advertised Member Appreciation Day, which it’s planning for a September debut. The inaugural event will also serve as an opportunity for the Republican and Democratic candidates in this autumn’s gubernatorial race to meet with KLA members so they can discuss the state of the industry with the governor-hopefuls.
“We’re very excited about this and putting it together,” said KLA Secretary Kent Sparks of Lake Cumberland Limousine. “The upcoming governor's race here is a crucial one for our industry, so giving both candidates, now that they have been selected by their parties, an opportunity to come speak will be huge for ground transportation in Kentucky.”
A fall retreat that would have KLA visiting a local coachbuilder is also in the works, as members have been brainstorming ideas to flesh out the association’s non-business aspects of their meetings.
The next KLA meeting is scheduled for August 11, with the location to be determined.
Visit kylimo.org for more information.
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WFLA President Dave Shaw
Oldsmar, Fla. — The West Florida Livery Association (WFLA) met May 26, its last Tuesday meeting before changing its meeting schedule to the third Wednesday of each month.
WFLA President Dave Shaw of Network Limousines welcomed all in attendance before updates were provided by Secretary Joe Russo of Primetime Limousines, Treasurer Gus Shahin of Luxury Transportation Limousine, Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (HCPTC) regarding the ongoing TNC battle, and officers discussing the NLA, Florida Limousine Association, and Greater Orlando Limousine Association. Tom Smith of Click-A-Ride, an app that connects the riding public only with properly licensed and insured transportation companies, also spoke at the meeting.
As the WFLA has been working closely with the HCPTC to better regulate TNC operations, the commission’s then-upcoming Rules & Policy Committee meeting and workshop was discussed, which WFLA members were encouraged to attend. The committee unifies both the taxicab and black-car sides of the ground transportation industry to properly identify, define, and regulate commercial vehicles.
The next meeting of the WFLA will be held June 17 at FlameStone American Grill.
Visit wflatampa.com for more information.
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Windy City Limousine’s new Transit, modified by Battisti Customs
Chicago—When George Jacobs, president of Windy City Limousine, heard that the new Ford Transit was going to be available as a limo van in North America this year, he quickly placed an order for the very first one.
“I’m very proud to own the first Ford Transit limo in the U.S.,” Jacobs said. “It’s a slick vehicle. It’s a Ford, so you have the immediate confidence factor. It’s less expensive to put together than an eight-passenger limousine, and it has more seating and more amenities. I really think this vehicle is going to take off.”
Battisti Customs of Elkhart, Ind., converted a black Transit high-roof, extended wheelbase cargo van into the luxurious 13-passenger limo van. It features a wood floor, black leather couch-style seating, two flat-screen TVs, and a bar. There’s also plenty of headroom so passengers can comfortably walk to their seats.
Windy City VP Kathy Kahne andPresident George Jacobs Bill Battisti, president of Battisti Customs, estimates that the Transit limo van will cost at least $10,000 less than other limo van alternatives and “fuel savings will be significant.” Transit is available with a choice of three engines, the standard 3.7-liter V6, an available 3.5-liter EcoBoost® or 3.2-liter Power Stroke® diesel. Transit low- and medium-roof regular wheelbase wagons with the standard 3.7-liter V6 or the EcoBoost engine get a 14/19 mpg (city/highway) EPA-estimated fuel economy rating (the available 3.2-liter Power Stroke diesel is not EPA-rated).
Jacobs said that the Transit limo will fill an important niche between traditional limousines and party buses. He expects it to be popular for a wide range of customer applications, including weddings and proms; group outings to concerts, sporting events and the theater; and for use by destination management companies.
“This is something with pizzazz,” he said. “Customers won’t forget it and they’ll want to book it again. If our first Transit limo van starts to sell out like I think it will, then I’m going to buy many more.”
Operators can order Transit wagons for typical shuttle applications in addition to Transit limo vans. Transit wagons are available in three roof heights and three body lengths with seating for eight, 10, 12, and 15 passengers. In addition to Battisti Customs, Tiffany Coachworks of Corona, Calif., and Executive Coach Builders of Springfield, Mo., have built and sold their first Transit limo vans as well.
Visit windycitylimos.com for more information.
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