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Williamsburg, Va — The Virginia Limousine Association June meeting was hosted by James River Transportation. The meeting featured presentations by special agents from both Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) and also the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
The ABC officials spoke about the recently passed legislation allowing for collection of wine tasting fees by motor carriers. A short application is being developed that will not have a fee. Upon issuance of the one year permit, a copy should be carried in the vehicle and the fees must be submitted to the winery or brewery either before, or at the time of, service. Fees cannot be submitted afterwards. The tasting fees charged cannot be for a greater amount than the winery/brewery charges. The VLA will provide updates on the application process on its website when available. ABC agent Tom Kirby also spent time answering questions and enlightening attendees on the nuances of the laws in Virginia regarding alcohol in for-hire vehicles.
Special Agent-in-Charge Tom Penny of the Virginia DMV reported seeing a decline in stretch limousine activity, and an increase in party bus vehicles as well as (strangely enough) more private limousines which require great effort to catch operating illegally. The DMV is working closely with FMCSA and passenger carrier checks will be increasing.
Penny also informed members of the DMVs efforts to “level the playing field” with the ridesharing apps. They are attending judicial conferences to get judges to understand the importance of the violations to get the “level playing field,” and he encouraged members to contact their local police departments as well to emphasize the importance of compliance. These efforts will be especially important moving forward with the Uber/Lyft situation. Arlington Police will be enforcing laws on Uber/Lyft and the DMV will be hosting taxi enforcement training at various state police departments as well.
Dylan Bishop, a DMV law intern from legislative services, encouraged VLA members to make sure to answer the recent survey on the ridesharing apps, and to keep making our voices heard as the DMV has been tasked by the legislature to “fix the problem” before next year’s general assembly.
Visit virginialimousineassociation.orgfor more information.
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Haverhill, Mass.—Royale Limousine, manufacturers of Lincoln and Cadillac stretches, Sprinter minicoaches, and custom mobile offices, recently announced that it has added two new distributors to its roster in a move to better serve its East Coast Customers. The company celebrated 30 years in the industry in 2013.
The two new distributors are Lakeview Custom Coach (lakeviewcustomcoach.com), which serves the Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia area, and Gateway Coachworks (gatewaycoachworks.com), which serves all of Florida. In addition to the company headquarters in Massachusetts, the company also has sales and service centers in New York, California, and Nevada.
Visit royalelimo.com for more information.
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Framingham, Mass.— The June meeting of the New England Livery Association (NELA) was held at Ken’s Steak House. The sponsors of this event were Don Brown Bus Sales and DATTCO.
NELA CEO Rick Szilagyi delivered an association update, which included: announcing Rick Cavalieri of BostonCoach and Andy Tighe of TriStar Worldwide as new board members for 2015; spotlighting a new member benefit relationship with Chosen Payments; recapping the Rhode Island hearings both at the state senate and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC); and upcoming events such as NELA’s 14th annual Chauffeur Appreciation Day (July 17) and the 13th Annual George Colarullo Memorial Golf Tournament (August 19).
NELA President Mike Callahan of Able Limousine presented service awards to the outgoing board members, Becky Laramee of All Points Limousine and Eric Tonkonogy of Exceptional Limousine. Mark DiChiara of Gateway Limousine, who was not present at the meeting, was also thanked for his service.
Visit nelivery.orgfor more information.
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