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The chauffeured ground transportation industry relies heavily on being able to communicate with the main office, be it via text, call, or some other mobile check-in. At the same time, an increasing number of states are enforcing and adopting stricter laws that make it illegal to talk or text while driving—and really, why would you want to jeopardize the safety of your passengers?
Zello, a convenient push-to-talk voice app, was launched to help. Simply put, Zello replaces conventional 2-way radios and phone calls. Instead of using designated radio frequencies or phone minutes, it uses the Internet over Wi-Fi or any data network. Over 75+ million users have Zello installed on their mobile devices and PCs. There are two versions: a free consumer app and a paid subscription service called Zello@Work for businesses.
Using voice over IP (VoIP) technology, voice transmissions are high-quality, live-streaming, and without lags. Unlike 2-way radios, there are no range limitations or licensing requirements. You can install other apps on the same device. Zello offers additional features such as photo sharing, availability indicators, history, and call alerts. You can also talk to a group of up to 1200 users by using the channel feature.
Zello runs on all major smartphones and tablets (Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows Phone) Windows PC, rugged mobile devices, mobile computers, and even 2-way radios. Zello@Work, the subscription-based app, can be used for dispatching, driver-to-driver, and driver-to-customer communications. Currently, it is used worldwide in limousine or black car services, as well as taxi, freight, and bus/shuttle services.
Zello is different from other hands-free options that exist now, especially those that are installed in vehicles. According to a recent study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, voice-activated systems can be major distractions in themselves and do not help to reduce the risk of crashes. Also, factory-installed solutions are not available for the majority of vehicles already on the road, especially ones built prior to 2001. Zello can be combined with your Bluetooth-enabled system to bridge that gap and make driving safer.
Zello can be gradually transitioned into existing 2-way radio systems or phone-based systems. Since it doesn’t require a dedicated carrier or data (if Wi-Fi is used), there is no need to add or change cell phone providers. Different types of devices can co-exist on one network. For example, PCs can be used for the administrator console and for dispatching, while drivers can use any combination of tablets, smartphones, or iPods. Employees can even use their own personal devices with Zello in a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) type environment.
For hands-free driving, Zello’s accessory partners offer a wide selection of Bluetooth speaker/mics, remote wireless buttons, and wireless/wired headsets, all certified to work with Zello. Prices range from $35 to $175.
A free 5-user network is available to trial by downloading from Zello@Work. For pricing and more information, send an email to sales@zello.com or visit zello.com.
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L to R: Nashville pass winner Robert Wheeler of Wheeler’s Luxury Transportation, Chauffeur Driven Publisher Chris Weiss, and Miami pass winner GOLA President Cliff Wright of Royal Transportation Group
Orlando, Fla. — The Greater Orlando Limousine Association (GOLA) held its most recent meeting February 10, which was attended by industry members from all over both the Sunshine State and the country.
As Florida continues to present a unified, statewide fight against TNCs, much of the GOLA meeting was dedicated to a report from Florida Limousine Association President Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine Service. Versace conveyed news from the Broward County Commission’s hearing he attended earlier that day, where the commission unanimously voted that TNCs should be regulated as if they were traditional transportation companies.
The decision followed the county attorney’s issuance of cease-and-desist letters to Uber and Lyft weeks prior, as well as county officials’ efforts to fine TNC drivers and impound their vehicles for failure to operate without the proper for-hire permits.
“Rick didn’t take a breath for the 20 minutes he spoke,” said GOLA President Cliff Wright of Royal Transportation Group. He added that Orlando also has issued cease-and-desist orders to TNCs: While Uber—which Wright reported has roughly 4,000 drivers operating in the area alone—“is still turned off at the airport,” Lyft and Sidecar are continuing to operate.
Wright also said that Versace outlined the efforts needed to take the TNC battle to the state capitol in Tallahassee, which GOLA has “already pledged to help with, financially and by sending up a truckload of members.” Continuing with the spirit of industry-wide support, Bill Battisti of Battisti Customs announced at the meeting that, for every one of the company’s vehicles purchased in Florida, it will donate $1,000 to the state operators’ ongoing fight against TNCs.
Chauffeur Driven Publisher Chris Weiss also attended the meeting, and spoke about the economy, the state of the industry, and CD’s upcoming events, focusing on the inaugural Executive Retreat in Nashville this June. He also raffled off a pass to both the Nashville retreat and October’s show in Miami, with Robert Wheeler of Wheeler’s Luxury Transportation winning the former and Wright winning the latter.
The next GOLA meeting is scheduled for March 10.
Visit getaroundorlando.com for more information.
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New York, N.Y. — The National Limousine Association (NLA) recently announced the launch of Ride Responsibly™ (rideresponsibly.org), an advocacy campaign to establish best safety practices and guidelines for prearranged car services and transportation network companies (TNCs), which include ride-hailing/ride-booking application-based car services, such as Uber, Lyft, Sidecar, and Whisk. The critical and urgent need for the Ride Responsibly™campaign is underscored by the results of a recent online survey conducted by Harris Poll commissioned by NLA. The announcement was made by President Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury Limousine.
“The stimulus for the Ride Responsibly™ campaign is the mushrooming number of reports in the media of incidents committed by car service drivers against passengers,” says Buffo. “The lack of standardized federal, state, and local rules and regulations for ride-hailing/ride-booking application-based car services have made it apparent that there is a critical need to enact and enforce reliable safeguards for drivers and passengers alike. The results of the recent NLA survey made it clear that decisive action, definitive guidelines, and regulatory standards need to be established.”
The online survey, conducted by Harris Poll earlier this year encompassing approximately 2,000 adults ages 18+, shows that 73 percent of Americans would not use ride-hailing apps if they were not safe, even if they were convenient. However, only 21 percent of Americans actually feel safe when using chauffeured car services including taxis, limousines, and ride-hailing apps. These results speak to how much passengers value safety in private ground transportation. The poll results further indicate that 88 percent of Americans believe that it is important to know if their driver has had a background check, and 81 percent of Americans believe it is important to have privacy protection from car service drivers. Results also demonstrate an astounding 84 percent of Americans believe that there should be set fares regardless of traffic conditions.
Ride Responsibly™ will establish voluntary standards and practices to act as a resource that equally addresses the safety and needs of prearranged ground transportation services and ride-hailing/ride-booking applications. The program will focus on educating the industry and public about regulations, legislation and best practices within the industry. The goal is to empower and inform the public at large, and drivers and operators alike with the necessary tools to Ride Responsibly™.
Visit rideresponsibly.org for more information.
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