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To keep the New England Livery Association (NELA) membership informed and active, NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi spearheaded a series of online meetings throughout the month of May for operators and vendors to discuss issues relating to the COVID-19 crisis.
NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi
Beginning with a “virtual town hall” exclusively for its Connecticut members on May 1, Szilagyi hosted close to 10 operators sharing their experiences and plans dealing with the industry shutdown. NELA Board Members Charlie Wisniewski of Teddy’s Transportation, Teale Smith of Maine Limousine Service, and Joe Cardillo of AOT Global were strong advocates for the session and offered their perspective on industry issues and programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
“Kudos to the operators that took part and made the hour-long session transpire as we had hoped,” says Szilagyi. “While the goal was to hold a session for Connecticut members, most of the specific issues we are all experiencing apply nationwide. The participants made the session a success, and set the stage for more.”
Based on the success of the May 1st Connecticut session, and with a quick analysis of the number of Connecticut attendees versus the number of invitees, the NELA Board approved a plan to hold six more online meetings across the New England states. The Maine/Vermont session was held on the morning of May 20, while Rhode Island operators were engaged that afternoon. The New Hampshire session was held on May 21, with three Massachusetts sessions on May 22.
Most sessions were in the half-dozen operator range, which Szilagyi says was the goal. Dividing the meetings by locale eliminated the awkward, overcrowded Zoom meeting rooms everyone has become familiar with and allowed for greater participation and more intimate conversations.
“Splitting Massachusetts into three sessions made sense,” says Szilagyi. “Having 15-20 people on such an online meeting would have been too difficult to manage, and resulted in less benefits to the individuals who attended. We achieved productive numbers on these calls from the standpoint of value and manageability. We can all read the material bombarding our inboxes each day, but having the opportunity to interact with peers on the challenges and opportunities is of much greater value.”
While PPP and EIDL remained the chief hot-button topics throughout the month, the focus of how to use those funds shifted as the meetings progressed. Another issue discussed was unemployment payments. With many chauffeurs and in-house staffers making more money on unemployment, operators have had difficulty bringing back employees as work has increased somewhat. Owners are now faced with a dilemma of “turning in” their otherwise loyal staff.
PPE was also discussed during the sessions, including the potential of installing soft or hard partitions. With that topic, came the potential increase in liability from installing after-market materials which could interfere with airbag deployment and become dangerous in the event of an accident, which led of course to recommendations for consulting with insurance agents.
NELA’s next quarterly meeting will be held June 9 via webinar from 2-4 p.m. Szilagyi is encouraging all members and vendors to register in advance. He is currently at work building a slate of topics and securing presenters. Guests will include National Limousine President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide and Ellen Kearns of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, which specializes in labor and employment law. The meeting is sponsored by Dedicated Funding.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
[05.29.20]
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A new loan program championed by The Transportation Alliance (TTA) has gained significant traction over the past 10 days, and has now caught the attention of Congress and the White House.
TTA President Tom Arrighi
According to a press release from the association, the proposed $500 billion federal loan package would provide low-interest loans of up to $10 million per eligible small business, to be repaid to U.S. government after 10 years. The loans would be reserved for small businesses that are critical to the supply chain and help with the immediate reopening of the economy. It focuses on critical sectors like manufacturers, resellers, defense industrial base, health care, financial services, construction, and transportation providers.
Loans would be intended for small businesses with fewer than 1,500 employees with revenues under $40 million. Only U.S.-owned and -operated small businesses that have been in operation for at least seven years with a proven track record would be eligible.
The pragmatic and fiscally responsible plan has received immediate support from hundreds of businesses and trade associations representing more than 310,000 companies and employing 8 million workers across the United States. There has been a growing interest from Congressional leaders and White House staff over the details of this plan, its focus on immediately "jump-starting" the economy, and the fiscal responsibility that proves you can move the economy forward without further increasing the deficit. Leaders have applauded this plan designed for small businesses by small businesses and not government.
"Small businesses have the workers and the proven track record, and the U.S. government has the investment capital," said TTA President Tom Arrighi. "This is an investment that focuses on Made in America by small businesses who employ tens of millions of American workers. Together, we can get America back on its feet through a partnership with government, small businesses, and our amazing workforce."
To voice your support for Small Business Jump-Start America Act, contact Paul Miller, legislative counsel to TTA, at pmiller@mwcapitol.com and 703.383.1330.
Visit thetransportationalliance.org for more information.
[05.26.20]
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Springfield Coach Group has come up with an innovative method to ease the concerns of operators, chauffeurs, and passengers in regards to spreading viral and bacterial infections. The Springfield, Mo.-based builder has introduced a germ-killing ultraviolet (UV) light option into the air circulation system of their new vehicles. When installed into the “hub” of the HVAC unit, a band of broad-spectrum invisible UV light will kill bacteria and germs as the air blows through the vents.
Broad-spectrum UV light installed in a vent
The idea was developed by the father-son team of Springfield CEO Gary Spaniak Jr. and Vice President of Marketing Gary “G3” Spaniak III.
“We got the idea from the air conditioning units I have at home,” says G3. “The UV lights we’re installing in vehicles work with the same parameters as a home unit.”
The broad-spectrum UV lighting is commonly used to disinfect water, sterilize surfaces, destroy micro-organisms in food products, and kill airborne bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi. This tech is similar to the UV wands that many operators are using today.
L to R: Gary Spaniak III, CEO Gary Spaniak Jr., Congressman Billy Long (R-Mo.), and Dustin Campbell
The Spaniaks first introduced the UV lighting into Springfield’s removal vehicles built for coroners and the funeral industry. As bodies often still transmit germs and bacteria, this technology added a layer of safety for the drivers and medical personnel.
Since the brand-new COVID-19 is still being studied and tested, Springfield makes no claim that their UV light option will kill the virus, although G3 says that having this in a limousine only increases the duty of care that sets the chauffeured ground transportation industry apart. Springfield is offering UV light installation free of charge in new limousine builds.
On Thursday, May 21, Springfield Coach welcomed Congressman Billy Long (R-Mo.) for a tour of their facility, and to give him an up-close look at their new Mercedes “medical-grade first-call” vehicle for medical examiners and forensic specialists to transport bodies. The first-ever 100 percent purpose-built vehicle of its kind, Springfield lined the interior with stainless steel to make cleaning and sanitation easier than ever. The vehicle also utilizes the UV technology.
The interior of Springfield’s new “medical-grade first-call” vehicle
“There are hardworking people … that risk themselves to exposure, and they need [a vehicle] to keep them safe,” G3 said to KY3 News, who was on scene to cover Long’s visit. “Once the process is made where they’ve removed the deceased, they can wash it out within minutes, disinfect it, and limit exposure to themselves and their family.”
Long also used the opportunity to speak about the struggle faced by small and family-owned businesses in the Ozarks region. The Congressman pledged his support for the luxury ground transportation industry and is looking to increase efforts to assist operators who are struggling.
Visit limoland.com for more information.
Editor’s note: HVAC UV light systems should only be installed by professionals. While they have been shown to be effective in killing viruses, improper installation can cause harm to humans. UV wands should only be used on surfaces with the proper safeguards so that eyes and skin are protected.
[05.26.20]