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WFLA members (L to R): Dave Shaw, Dennis Rochford, Gus Shahin, Jerry Chavez, Justin Nystedt, Blaze Basevic, Jeremy Jenkins, and Dewey Buxton.Tampa, Fla.—The most recent meeting of the West Florida Livery Association (WFLA) was held on the March 18.
This meeting was solely dedicated to a duo of government bills that were introduced at the state level. These bill are: SB 1618 and HB 1389; they are more commonly known in Florida as the “Chauffeured Limousine and Safety Act.” This proposed legislation will de-regulate the ground chauffeured transportation service on the local level. The House chair on the transportation committee, Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-22nd District), titled these bills “The Uber Bills” because the “declawing” of these long-standing state laws will greatly benefit the opportunistic TNCs across the state of Florida. These two bills in the state House and Senate are essentially rewriting the legislative book in regard to how the limousine industry is regulated in the Sunshine State. If the bills pass, the state would then become the governing authority supplanting the current county and local organizations that control ground chauffeured transportation services.
WFLA members attended a House of Representatives committee meeting in Tallahassee, Fla. to vehemently oppose these bills. WFLA representatives were in the state capital to speak on the bills, and represent the industry at the Senate Transportation committee meeting on 3/26. They were also in Tallahassee to continue the fight on 4/2 and 4/3 as well.
As it stands now, Uber can only conduct business in the city of Jacksonville. They were unceremoniously banned in Miami, and other Florida cities are openly fighting off the unwanted advances of the overbearing TNC. Uber remains undeterred, however, throwing all of its considerable resources behind this legislation that could allow its service to operate across the state.
This situation is still developing, and CD will have more as it unfolds.
Visit wflatampa.com for more information.
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Rick Szilagyi, NELA CEOBoston, Mass.—The New England Livery Association (NELA) held its quarterly meeting this past March, the last meeting before its annual Tradeshow scheduled for April 22. The meeting was sponsored by Don Brown Bus Sales and Lighthouse Insurance.
First on the agenda was a prickly issue that Connecticut NELA members are having with the NYC Taxicab and Limousine Commission (TLC) in regard to TLC officers inappropriately ending interstate travel jobs by removing chauffeurs, clients, and also impounding their vehicles, is one step closer to resolution. The TLC is now working with NELA due, in no small part, to the efforts of Lew Aflalo, general manager of Hoyt Livery. Aflalo initiated a meeting in the Constitution State with state legislators and representatives from the Connecticut Department of Transportation to formulate a broader plan to deal with these issues in short order.
NELA Chief Executive, Rick Szilagyi discussed the continuing efforts in Rhode Island to institute a minimum price floor for livery ($40), which was begun years ago in an effort to further clarify the lines between taxi and livery, and now is being challenged by app-only companies (Uber, SideCar, Lyft, etc.) entering that market. “The PUC plans to move ahead with another hearing on the issue,” says Szilagyi, “The $40 minimum charge we believe is in the public interest because it keeps them (Uber) as a non-taxi service, and that protects our industry and consumers from such things as surge pricing, and ensures the public is provided transportation in vehicles that meet safety and compliance regulations.”
Szliagyi also reviewed a plan to meet with the new Boston police commissioner, William Evans, who has previously stated that he views the app-only companies as “gypsy operators.” NELA Secretary Teale Smith of Maine Limousine closed out the meeting. Smith, who is also co-chair of the upcoming NELA Seminar & Tradeshow, gave an overview of the event itself, and the seminars (Insurance, DOT Operating Responsibilities, PCI Compliance, Quality Control in Your Office, Email Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and App Panel Discussion) that will be presented on April 22 at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
4/14
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NCLA leaders (L to R): new Treasurer Vernon Gambill, President Carolyn Henson, outgoing Treasurer Jerry Thomas, and Vice President Teddy Crider Morrisville, N.C.—The most recent meeting of the North Carolina Limousine Association (NCLA) was held in the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) terminal two conference room.
Jerry Thomas, formerly of Prime Time Limousines, has stepped down as treasurer of NCLA after selling his company. NCLA thanked him for all his hard work and fellowship before announcing that Vernon Gambill of Black Tie Transportation will take up the baton as the new treasurer in Jerry’s stead.
Jon McCormick, U.S. DOT division administrator, discussed compliance with DOT regulations of safety, licensing, and insuring vehicles over 15 passengers. McCormick asserted that the agency “has difficulty witnessing many violations because a DOT officer’s work is not performed on the weekends or evenings when many trips commence.” McCormick made his information available to the group for assisting in investigations into operators not operating under DOT regulations. President Carolyn Henson of Prestige Limousine recommended that one person from NCLA be a means of bringing information to the DOT to simplify and to avoid increasing the workload on DOT personal.
Ground Transportation Manager at Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, Laurie Suggs, then took the podium. Suggs disseminated a good deal of information regarding the new terminal, Terminal 1, at RDU. First and foremost, it was determined that “Limo Zone 4” (denoted by a brown sign) is the area that all for-hire vehicles will be required to pick up and drop off passengers. Suggs strongly suggested to call ahead if passengers would need assistance in this drop off/pickup area, and it was made known that no cameras will be focused on the area. Suggs then shifted gears to discuss the renewal of RDU stickers for livery vehicles. Renewals soon will be able to be accessed online via the RDU web site, and operators will be able pay for the new sticker with a credit/debit card. The renewal period for these stickers has also been extended by one month until the end of April.
Suggs concluded the meeting by guiding interested NCLA members on tour of the new terminal, and all its amenities.
Visit nclimo.org for more information.
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