GOLA Closes Out 2014 with Busy December

GOLA’s new electronic billboard promotes legally operating transportation companies Orlando — The members of the Greater Orlando Limousine Association (GOLA) saw a December chock-full of activity, with two city council meetings and the launch of a new billboard campaign promoting passenger safety through awareness of licensed ground transportation options, as well as its annual holiday party.

GOLA members took to Orlando’s City Hall first on December 8 and again on December 15 in their efforts to encourage the city to regulate illegally operating TNCs. Uber and Lyft representatives were present at the first meeting but only Lyft was in attendance at the second one.

A ruling issued after the second meeting mandated that rideshare companies have until February 1, 2015, to acquire appropriate insurance, conduct adequate driver background checks, and ensure that their drivers are operating properly inspected vehicles, according to GOLA President Cliff Wright of Royal Transportation Group.

“It’s everything we’ve been asking for since Day One,” he said. “Public safety has been our big push, with the billboards and everything.”

The association has seen a great deal of success with the inaugural billboard campaign it launched at the end of the September, which had directed the public’s attention to TNCs’ safety issues. Its newest billboard focuses on promoting legally operating transportation companies and will run through the first week in January.

“We were really happy with the first billboards but decided to change the message to keep Uber and Lyft out of it this time,” Wright said. “I’m sick of hearing about Uber and Lyft, and everybody else felt the same way. We didn’t want to give them any more press.”

GOLA closed out its year with a well-attended holiday party at Westgate Lake Resort, which offers a view of Disney World’s fireworks display. The nearly 100 people in attendance were also treated to dinner, music, and entertainment, courtesy of an association member’s dance company.

The first GOLA meeting of 2015 will be held January 13.

Visit getaroundorlando.com for more information.

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