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L to R:
Janos Bokor, ABC Companies;
Colin Johnson, DATTCO;
Don DeVivo, DATTCO;
Dennis Lyons, DATTCO;
Mike Laffan, ABC Companies; and
Paul Mayer, DATTCO
New Britain, Conn. — DATTCO, a multifaceted transportation operation, and ABC Companies recently celebrated DATTCO’s purchase of their 100th Van Hool motorcoach. The new TX45’s delivery was honored at the August International Motorcoach Group meeting in Norfolk.
DATTCO’s current fleet includes Van Hool TD925 Double Deck coaches, as well as CX45’s and TX45’s, but this 100th coach is unique. The new TX45 is configured with two passenger doors, a style rarely seen in North America, and seating for only 52 passengers, offers superior leg room. This configuration, with the lavatory at the rear door, below passenger eye level, coupled with Van Hool’s unique rear window gives a panoramic view for all the riders. In addition, a second door speeds up loading and unloading the coach.
Like all of DATTCO’s luxury fleet, the new TX45 is heavy on creature comfort and safety options. The Grande Lux passenger seats have leather inserts and trim, and the coach is equipped with WiFi, 110 volt and USB outlets, an REI Elite Entertainment system with cordless microphone and five video monitors, woodgrain flooring, and magazine nets. The coach is equipped with Van Hool safety features including three point seatbelts, backup camera, lane departure warning, antilock brakes, Smartwave Tire Pressure Monitoring, Kidde Fire Suppression Systems, automatic stability control, daytime running lights, curbside lighting, and adaptive static aiming lights.
In addition to the TX45 being showcased at the IMG SAM luncheon, DATTCO also took delivery of their first-in-fleet Van Hool CX35. This addition to their diverse fleet expands their midsize offerings for smaller groups who want the luxury and amenities provided on the CX35.
Established in 1924 and now with the second and third generations of the DeVivo family now involved in management, International Motorcoach Group (IMG) member DATTCO is one of the Northeast’s largest and most respected passenger transportation companies. Serving three New England states with more than 2200 employees in 27 locations, they operate comprehensive nationwide motorcoach charters and tours as well as serving the region with line run, transit, commuter, and school bus service.
DATTCO’s Sales and Service Division is one of the nation’s largest IC Bus dealers. In addition, they sell and service Thermo King, four brands of mini-buses, as well as components like Braun wheelchair lifts. They also offer maintenance services and collision repair to other operators.
Visit dattco.com for more information.
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August 1 Membership Meeting of the Minnesota Chauffeured Transportation Association (MCTA)
St. Paul, Minn. — The Seventh Street Social bar and restaurant was host to the August 1 membership meeting of the Minnesota Chauffeured Transportation Association (MCTA). More than a dozen members and guests were on hand to discuss recent issues relating to the association.
MCTA President Charlie Murray of Total Luxury Limousine called the meeting to order by reading the minutes from the association’s previous meeting, and then thanked the membership for their continued commitment to the organization. Murray then welcomed Nate Mussell, a government relations expert at association management firm Lockridge Grindal Nauen, to speak about Minnesota’s Working Families Agenda. This legislation includes a paid sick leave ordinance, and an initiative to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour.
Next, two airport representatives—Atif Saeed, assistant director of MSP Operations/Landside, and Steve Holes, manager of commercial vehicle operations on MSP Airport/MAC proposed commercial transportation ordinances—were introduced to the group. Saeed and Holes expressed an interest in having a better dialogue with the MCTA, and shared their proposal for separate TNC ordinances as well as a fee increase for the on-demand providers. The reps then answered questions from the association members regarding signage, parking, and fingerprint checks.
Murray also shared information about his meeting with Minnesota Senator Al Franken regarding the situation with TNCs. He said that Franken was sympathetic to their cause, particularly in light of the violation of labor laws on the part of TNCs. Murray also addressed the August 1 state minimum wage increase and its effect on the association members, which was the topic of discussion among members.
Before turning over the floor to MCTA Vice President Len Nelson of Valley Limo, Murray gave an update on the 2016 Ryder Cup and distributed letters and maps for the members that detailed parking and drop-off points for the renowned golf tournament. During his report, Nelson encouraged MCTA members to remain in touch with Minnesota’s DOT regarding proposed rules that stemmed from the 2014 passing of the Limousine Modernization Act.
The remainder of the meeting dealt with new business, including the addition of three new members to the association: Gus Ortis of Executive Transportation, Clyde McRae of Rath Transportation, and Matthew Loegering of 1st Class Transportation. Before the meeting adjourned, the members agreed to nix plans to do MCTA decal signage, but instead opted for a certificate of membership to display in the office of each member.
Visit mnlimo.org for more information.
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L to R: TLPA U.S. Vice President Mike Pinckard of Total Transit, Bill George of Kansas City Transportation Group, TLPA Director Jeb Corey of C & H Taxi, and TLPA President Dwight Kines of Transdev
Toronto — Passenger transportation for-hire industry leaders from around the world headed to Toronto from July 20-23 for the Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit (TLPA) Mid-Year International Leadership Conference, headed by association President Dwight Kines of Transdev. After attendees picked up their conference badges, they were welcomed at an open-bar cocktail reception sponsored by #Taxi/The Ride. Event-goers then enjoyed a free evening to familiarize themselves with Toronto and enjoy dinner on their own.
The first General Session kicked off the morning of July 21. Karhoo sponsored the AV equipment and meeting room where Kines welcomed attendees with an update about TLPA activities before Matt Ranen of Ranen Counsulting presented “Results of TNC versus Taxi/Livery App Platforms Study.” Attendees returned after a short morning break and listened to TLPA members Jeb Corey, Bill George, and Mike Pinckard share “Implementation of Alternative Business Models” before the group broke for a lunch sponsored by The Black Car Fund.
In the second General Session, John Boit of Melwood Global, TLPA’s Public Relations firm, updated attendees on the Who's Driving You and Fleet Forward initiatives. Later, Jeb Corey and Megan Bullock presented “National Marketing Report and Proposal.”TLPA members and conference sponsors Nick Quain of #Taxi/The Ride, Ira Goldstein of The Black Car Fund, Tarek Mallah of Karhoo, and Gilles Gomis of eCab made brief presentations about their products and services to the group.
Attendees at the TLPA Mid-Year International Leadership Conference held in Toronto
An afternoon break was followed by Matthew Daus of Windels Marx speaking about “The Expanding TNC Equity Gap.” Reports were given from the Strategic Planning Task Force, Legislative/Regulatory Policy by Ed Kargbo, Responding to TNCs by Bill Rouse, and TLPA Organizational Ideas by Bill Scalzi. The packed afternoon concluded promptly at 4:30 p.m.—giving attendees another evening opportunity to explore the conference’s beautiful host city.
Friday morning began with a TLPA Board Meeting to discuss association business and a breakfast sponsored by eCab. After that, previously registered attendees for a special event were invited to present their tickets to board The Challenge, a 96-foot chartered sailboat, for a sail through Toronto Harbor. It was a welcome way to relax and adjourn the conference before the attendees returned to locales as far away as Australia and Europe to apply what they had learned during the conference.
TLPA’s next event will be its 98th Annual Convention & Trade Show, held October 31-November 4 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Visit tlpa.org for more information.
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