PRLA Updates on Airport Parking Sting, Welcomes AMProd to Meeting

Essington, Pa.—The latest meeting of the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) took place at the Deck at Harbor Pointe and included a stop on the American Motor Products (AMProd) road show, which featured presentations from several sponsors in addition to giveaways and a buffet dinner. Chauffeur Driven Show Manager Lauren D’Ambra also attended the meeting.

Mike Barreto of Flyte Tyme Worldwide Transportation updated the members on the recent sting operation, a joint effort of the Philadelphia Police Department and Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), to target illegal operators, solicitors, and TNCs. Over the two-month period, five violations were handed to illegal solicitors and one vehicle was impounded, resulting in $4,800 in fines.

Barreto also alerted members to the crackdown on livery vehicles parked illegally around the airport, including at the cell phone lot off Route 291. He noted that of the 45 summons given, 15 alone were written to Uber’s Philadelphia company, Gegen. Barreto says that the tickets are currently issued and recorded by the Department of Aviation, but will soon be converted to summary offenses and sent directly to the city of Philadelphia. This means that it could impact an operator’s registration if the fines are not paid, and vehicles can and will be booted and/or impounded.

Some good news for Philadelphia area operators: commercial pickups are at their highest levels since 2008 and that the total recorded pickups for the year is already 20 percent higher than 2013. If the trend continues, the numbers might match those of 2008, pre-recession levels.

David and Wendy Ward of AMProd gave several presentations from some of the sponsors of their road show, including those from Create-A-Card, LimoLive24, and Chosen Payments. The couple also spoke about the benefits of becoming an AMProd member for special discounts and availability of tires specifically for our industry (which can and have been in short supply elsewhere at times).

The next meeting will be held at Maggiano’s in King of Prussia on September 10.

Visit prlainc.com for more information.

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