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L to R: Ron, Brandan, and Jackie Stein of Exclusive Sedan Service
Exclusive Sedan Service is proud to announce that they are celebrating their 40th year in the luxury ground transportation industry. Founded in 1980 by Jackie and Ron Stein, this family-run business has been built core values that include safety, customer service, and efficiency.Although Exclusive Sedan Service is Hollywood-area fixture, providing vehicles to corporate clients, VIPs, and the motion picture industry—you can often catch a glimpse of one of their classic vehicles in many major productions—the company is proud to offer their first-rate service to clients in over 750 cities worldwide.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Exclusive Sedan Service’s 40th anniversary,” says Ron. “This milestone would not have been possible without the love of family, unparalleled expertise of our team, support of our affiliates, and loyalty of our wonderful clients. Above all, infinite gratitude belongs to my son, Brandan Stein, whose leadership, vision, and passion expanded us into something far bigger and greater than I could have ever imagined.”
The second-generation Stein joined the company part time in 1998 making Exclusive Sedan Service a true family-run operation. Since then, Brandan was eventually promoted to vice president of operations, and now serves as president and COO.
“It has been my greatest honor to uphold the legacy of excellence my father, Ron Stein, established in the earliest days of Exclusive Sedan Service. My twenty-plus years of success in this industry is attributed to the support, knowledge, and contributions of our incredible team, clients, affiliates, and associates,” says Brandan.
Today, Exclusive Sedan Service has grown tremendously since its start as a single-car operation. Currently, the Steins run more than 40 in-house vehicles ranging from standard sedans and SUVs to minicoaches, and Sprinters.
Visit exclusivesedan.com for more information.
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Avoid the Talking Heads
We’d normally encourage you to consume as much diverse media and information as possible, but hours and hours are filled with unnecessary and often discouraging coverage. Now is the time for information, not reactionary hysteria from the media—we’ll have plenty of time to grade our elected officials once this is over. A better alternative is to rely only on trusted sources, such as industry associations, government websites (local and national), or even set up specific Google alerts on your phone so it filters out as much of the nonsense as possible (see resources below). Any information CD shares is about your business and only from vetted sources.
Use Social Media Cautiously
Facebook and other social media sites are valuable ways to share suggestions and a few chuckles, but beware of erroneous information being spread regarding COVID-19. There’s nothing wrong with laughing at the hundreds of toilet paper memes that have circulated, but be especially wary of well-meaning friends sharing cures or treatments, recipes for homemade sanitizers, or anything medical related. The CDC knows better than your Facebook friends. Even political information can be woefully wrong or a terrible scam, so think twice before believing, clicking, and sharing. These posts can be cleverly disguised and appear to be from legit sources, but do your due diligence now, in the future, always. Check snopes.com if in doubt, or better yet, only rely on official sources.
Marketing?
According to a Facebook live broadcast by Simon Curtis of Curtis Gabriel, the key to any crisis is calm thinking and good decision making, while being both proactive and reactive. Marketing isn’t about advertising right now, but showing that you are engaged with your customers when they need it the most. Everyone has coronavirus fatigue; people are looking for hope. Share inspirational messages and show that you are human, too. Like and comment on your customers’ posts. Show how you can lend a hand to them and your community. How about a personal phone call to your customers? Most of all, don’t go dark and disappear from social media! There are a lot of decisions that you’re being forced to make right now, but keeping up with consistent content three to four times a week will show your customers that you are taking this seriously but also focused on the future—and that you’re ready for when America is moving again.
Get Creative!
- There’s no shame in promoting your ramped-up efforts to clean your vehicles—as long as you are using approved cleaners and sanitizing products. Don’t assume; check the list on the EPA’s website here: epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2. Communicate that with your current and future clients via email, on your website, and on social media.
- Many states have restricted restaurants to pick up or delivery only, although many of local options don’t have delivery services available. Check with your area restaurants to see if they could use your services. Those that already deliver might need help, too, as the demand grows.
- Offer an errand service to customers and their families. Many customers have older relatives or those with underlying illnesses who have been asked to self-quarantine. Picking up some essentials for them such as groceries or home essentials (toilet paper if you can find it!) can free up stressed care-givers for other tasks.
- Health care workers are putting in extra shifts in already-stressed medical facilities. Partner with a local hospital or medical office to offer late-night or end-of-shift transportation home for exhausted professionals. Sell it as a safer option than them driving while drowsy. But don’t forget to pay special attention to cleaning your vehicle before and after.
- As passengers are told not to use transportation options, such as flights or trains, they still need travel, for example, to sick or distant relatives. Offer longer-distance transportation for a special rate. They can multitask or just enjoy the ride. You know your business best, so be sure to check with your lawyer, accountant, and any local authorities on new services.
Official Resources
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NLA: limo.org/page/COVID-19
- American Bus Association: buses.org/about/consumer-information/coronavirus-facts-not-fears
- American Ground Transportation Association: agtaweb.org
- Global Business Travel Association: gbta.org
- The Transportation Alliance: thetransportationalliance.org
- United Motorcoach Association: uma.org/covid19
- Small Business Administration: disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
- World Health Organization: who.int
We’ll keep you updated on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter) and through our newsletter. Keep the conversation going and don’t forget that we’re stronger together!
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- Category: Industry News
Seven national industry associations in ground transportation have come together in these unprecedented times on behalf of the industry in a letter to President Trump and Congressional leaders asking for $12 billion to help our beleaguered industry.
The letter, which can be viewed here, was signed by leaders of the National Limousine Association (NLA), American Bus Association (ABA), American Ground Transportation Association (AGTA), Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), The Transportation Alliance (TTA), United Motorcoach Association (UMA), and Near Airport Parking Industry Trade Association (NAPITA).
Although the political process is changing quickly, the letter included an eight-point plan for protecting companies from all facets of transportation, including taxis, liveries, rideshare, buses, shuttles, paratransit, and non-emergency medical trips. The points:
- Deem the industry a national “essential service.”
- Provide $12 billion in immediate cash grants to fleet operators to provide industry relief.
- Ensure guaranteed vehicle loan deferment/forbearance for at least 120 days.
- Declare the industry is eligible for zero-interest SBA loans and ensure such loans are made available within two weeks of application, with no payments due for six months.
- Mandate that all government accounts with transportation companies be paid within five days of billing.
- Require insurance companies to suspend auto liability premiums on passenger transportation vehicles pulled out of service, without requiring transportation companies turn in their license plates.
- Allow operators to postpone real estate tax payments as well as vehicle fuel and utilities payments such as phone, electricity and internet services, without penalty or disconnection.
- Open a pipeline to cleaning products to ensure vehicles are regularly sanitized, and to help our industry promote the safety of our services.
A key message in the letter: “Collectively, the industry moves 3 billion passengers a year, approximately the same total number of passengers moved by the equally vital airline industry, for example. Hundreds of thousands of drivers—most of them independent, small American companies—affiliate with our members’ businesses for their livelihood.”
Association Leaders Urge Companies to Get Involved
Associations are working around the clock to keep abreast of the legislation and to ensure that transportation—beyond the airlines—is part of the next rounds of protective emergency funding. However, it’s equally important that operators make their voices heard.
“It is vital that every member of our industry contact their representatives in Washington, D.C., to support our efforts in obtaining federal relief. Please ask your affiliates, staffs, and industry friends to do so as well. The bigger our collective voice, the stronger our lobbying efforts will be,” said NLA President Robert Alexander in a letter to members. You can view a sample letter here: https://conta.cc/3afylUC.
ABA President Peter Pantuso is urging companies to take it a step further and to make calls to members of Congress.
“Our industry is intricately linked to the airlines and tourism, to schools and universities, and to healthcare access and vital services for our most vulnerable,” said TTA President Thomas Arrighi in a press release. “We need to make sure the people, vehicles, call centers, maintenance facilities are here to keep America moving when this is over. We have a pragmatic plan to do that. But we can’t do it without help from Washington.”
UMA President & CEO Larry Killingsworth also described the current plight of motorcoach operators and the need for immediate federal action in his letter to members: “We are seeking immediate action on a package of grants and loans for short- and long-term relief. In times of crisis, bus and motorcoach operators are typically in the heroic position of rolling in to evacuate Americans from natural disasters. They are not accustomed to needing rescue themselves. Today we are calling on our federal government for help.”
Association Resources
NLA: limo.org/page/COVID-19
American Bus Association: buses.org//about/consumer-information/coronavirus-facts-not-fears
American Ground Transportation Association: agtaweb.org
Global Business Travel Association: gbta.org
The Transportation Alliance: thetransportationalliance.org
United Motorcoach Association: uma.org/covid19
Near Airport Parking Industry Trade Association: napita.org
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