TNC Battle Comes to Wisconsin

Mike Hartmann, WLA PresidentThe Wisconsin Limousine Association (WLA) welcomed Chauffeur Driven Editor Madeleine Maccar on its most recent monthly conference call November 18, where association membership was a key topic of discussion—as, of course, was the ongoing battle with TNCs.

Like in most other regions, operators in The Badger State are fighting for a level playing field, finding a common ally in taxicabs, and seeking the assistance of lobbyists in appealing for treatment equal to that which TNCs receive on a legislative basis.

According to WLA President Mike Hartmann of Stardust Limousine, chauffeured ground transportation representatives had joined the area’s taxicab association at the state capitol in Madison in the hopes of getting TNC-related amendments into then-proposed legislature governing ride-share operations. While WLA members cite one senator who pushed for more stringent background checks and vehicle inspections for TNC drivers, most of the amendments they rallied behind were ultimately voted down.

“It’s common sense that the vehicles should be inspected,” Hartmann said. “But the main thing in my mind was drivers not being fingerprinted because right after TNCs were approved in the state, a lady was assaulted in Madison. When the police wanted the name of the driver, Uber said, ‘Nope, you have to get a search warrant.’ It just seemed like there should have been, at the minimum, more thought put into this legislation.”

The association is currently revisiting its meeting schedule and looking for ways to reinvigorate its membership base, as all members on the call agreed that getting members more involved would help identify the biggest issues that regional operators are facing.

WLA’s next conference call will be January 20.

Visit wisconsinlimo.org for more information.

[CD1215]