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FLA President Rick Versace of A1A Limousine & Airport Service
Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Limousine Association (FLA) is gearing up for its Florida Ground Transportation Day on March 25. The legislative event—affectionately dubbed “Rally in Tally”—will draw upon statewide representation, as livery, taxicab, and other ground transportation operators from throughout the state are expected to come together in its capital of Tallahassee to act as a unified voice for the industry.
“The most important thing is to get people up there,” FLA President Rick Versace of A1A Limousine & Airport Service wrote in an email. “Every company should bring three people to this event.”
More than 100 participants are expected to bolster the day-long event, which will occur with five weeks left of the current legislative session and aims to educate elected officials on strategies for effectively regulating TNCs—with public safety being the top priority.
FLA and its supporters are seeking safety-minded regulation by stressing that TNCs need: 24-hour commercial liability insurance; more stringent driver background checks, which would include fingerprinting; thorough vehicle inspections conducted by qualified third-party inspectors; established minimum fares; mandatory drug screenings; and privacy safeguards for TNC passengers.
Florida Ground Transportation Day will begin with 8 a.m. meetings. FLA’s public relations firm Sachs Media Group will be scheduling an 11 a.m. media availability event, where leaders from the various industries participating in the legislative day can be interviewed by reporters.
Visit floridalimousine.com for more information.
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LANJ First Vice President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services Worldwide
Trenton, N.J. — Members of New Jersey Limousine Association (LANJ) headed to the state capital in Trenton on March 19 to voice their dissent in regard to Assembly Bill 3765, which the Assembly Transportation Committee ultimately passed that afternoon with a 7-3-1 vote.
A-3765 not only comes with a host of to-be-finalized regulations that aim to protect the safety of TNC passengers, but also takes “a step toward leveling the playing field” for TNCs and the ground transportation industry, according to LANJ First Vice President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services Worldwide. But the bill’s “gaps in critical areas” had LANJ members concerned that it simply does not address all of the necessary issues.
“Our opposition was to the current form of the bill, not the concept,” Sharenow said.
Sharenow, who went to the state house with LANJ’s PAC Chair Peter Corelli of Lakeview Custom Coach and Immediate Past President Jim Moseley of Trip Tracker, testified on behalf of the association. His testimony highlighted the reasons why LANJ opposed A-3765, which included: treating TNCs as entities outside ground transportation, exempting them from the requirements that the livery industry follows to ensure passenger and public safety; the bill’s failure to demand medical exams and drug screenings for drivers; inadequate vehicle inspections; substantially lesser insurance requirements and per-trip collection of fees for TNCs in comparison to livery operators; and the continued regard for TNC drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.
“All of these items are still in negotiation for the final bill,” Sharenow said. “But TNCs will be regulated in some way, shape, or form—the chair of the transportation committee, Assemblyman [John] Wisniewski, made that abundantly clear.”
Uber issued a statement in response to the bill’s passage, expressing its disappointment over A-3765’s narrow victory. While LANJ is not entirely happy with the bill’s passage, it does take heart in these first steps to regulate TNCs and will continue its fight for both increased safety and a level playing field.
“LANJ is not completely satisfied with all of the amendments, so we will continue to meet with the bill’s sponsors to help craft additional amendments to the current bill that we feel are necessary,” said Sharenow.
LANJ’s next general meeting will be March 31 at NJHA Conference and Event Center in Princeton.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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Brett Barenholtz (left) of Boston Car Service, who won the meeting’s 50/50 raffle and donated his winnings back to the NELA Massachusetts Legislative Fund, and NELA President Michael Callahan of Able Limousine
Boston — The New England Livery Association (NELA) held its spring quarterly meeting on March 10 at Logan Airport’s Embassy Suites. Like the association’s February 17 ad hoc meeting that introduced new initiatives and allies, much of the March meeting was dedicated to outlining NELA’s efforts to combat the ongoing challenges that TNCs are presenting to the livery industry.
In its pursuit of a level playing field for all transportation companies, the association has hired a team of Massachusetts-based lobbying and PR firms, all of whom were represented at both the ad hoc and membership meetings: public affairs and government relations firm Travaglini, Eisenberg & Kiley, as NELA had previously worked with Robert Travaglini several years ago; lobbying firm Murphy Donoghue Partners; and government/community relations and business development firm The Nolan Group.
“I think the battle really is waged through dealing with legislators and I think the best way to do that is with professionals who know how to play the game,” said NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi. “I think that hiring lobbyists and PR firms, while expensive, is a necessity.”
Because NELA’s general operating fund can’t cover the costs of outside support on its own, NELA is establishing state-by-state legislative funds. Thirty association members are currently contributing to the Massachusetts fund; a second state fund is also gaining traction, which will help pay government relations and lobbying firm The Mayforth Group to represent NELA in Rhode Island. NELA President Michael Callahan of Able Limousine issued a general appeal for members to help fund the association’s legislative efforts.
L to R: NELA Secretary Andy Tighe of Tristar Worldwide, Mike Campbell of Grace Limousine, and NELA President Michael Callahan of Able Limousine
NELA is also finding a viable partnership with Massachusetts-area taxicab operators. “We really should be able to partner with taxi companies—especially now because, even working with taxis, going up against TNCs is like David and Goliath,” Szilagyi said. “If livery and taxi companies operate as they’re supposed to, we really shouldn’t bang into each other too much, anyway.”
Representatives from meeting sponsor New England Ticket Fairness Alliance were on hand to speak to NELA members. The alliance is dedicated to both increasing transparency and creating an open and competitive market in the ticket industry, and was seeking NELA’s support in its own lobbying endeavors.
A pass to Chauffeur Driven’s Miami show was raffled off, which was won by Mike Campbell of Grace Limousine. The association also had a 50/50 raffle; Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service won and donated his winnings back to the Massachusetts legislative fund.
The next NELA membership meeting is scheduled for June 9.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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