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WLA President Mike HartmannWisconsin — TNCs continue to beleaguer The Badger State, and the Wisconsin Limousine Association (WLA) has been battling their incoming droves by the twofold method of getting safety information to their passengers and sounding a call for increased unity among local ground transportation operations.
As members have been seeking a way to inform their clients about the dangers of TNCs with specific examples and facts, Wisconsin operators have begun utilizing the TNC position papers issued by the NLA’s Ride Responsibly initiative—and learned some unsettling things themselves in the process.
“From our meeting, one of the members asked for something simple to show customers about the percentage of TNC assaults compared to limousines and taxis,” WLA President Mike Hartmann of Stardust Limousine said. “From what I see, authorities do not keep track of where assaults and other incidents happen. What I do find interesting in the NLA paper is that the customer can be found liable if the TNC driver does not have the correct insurance and the TNC denies liability. We could tell our customers that they may be at risk for liability if their TNC driver causes injury and give them an example, like if their TNC driver hits a bike rider while a customer is in the vehicle and then the bike rider goes after the rider for damages.”
AB-918 called for the “regulation of taxicab companies and taxicab dispatch services, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a criminal penalty.” On February 22, the Wisconin State Assembly voted 7-1 on it.
Papers were submitted to the state senate March 1 regarding SB-759, Streamlining Regulation of Taxicab Companies. The senate bill aims to “simplify the regulation of taxicab companies and dispatch services in Wisconsin” via a standard regulatory structure that would help “create a level playing field” and highlights the fact that companies offering similar services should be legislated the same way.
The next WLA conference call will be March 21.
Visit wisconsinlimo.org for more information.
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The MCTA welcomed nearly 30 attendees to its March 4 post-Super Bowl partySt. Paul — Even a year before the February 4 Super Bowl LII brought scores of out-of-towners, football die-hards, and one of the busiest days in sports to Minneapolis, the members of the Minnesota Chauffeured Transportation Association (MCTA) have been gearing up for The Big Game’s nearby arrival.
On March 4, the association combined its annual holiday party with a post-Super Bowl celebration observing members’ successful completion of statewide transportation logistics that required true all-hands-on-deck participation and support. The celebratory dinner at The Lexington brought together nearly 30 local operators, their spouses, and teams to toast to a job well done.
MCTA members—including President Charlie Murray of Total Luxury Limousine (third from left)—enjoyed dinner, drinks, and a reception at The LexingtonMuch like previous years, the evening affair included a Year in Review slideshow and a trivia contest filled with fun facts about and childhood photos of attendees.
Current MCTA President Charlie Murray of Total Luxury Limousine—who began making his company’s Super Bowl plans as far back as January 2016—held a short program to recognize 2017’s outgoing president Len Nelson of Valley Limousine and secretary/treasurer Gina Brennan of Corporate Car & Coach.
Check out the April edition of Chauffeur Driven for expanded coverage of the event.
Visit mnlimo.org for more information.
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Joe Puelo of Dav El/BostonCoach (left) with the pass to the Chauffeur Driven Executive Retreat raffled off by CD Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip JagielaMarlborough, Mass. — When the New England Livery Association (NELA) met up for its most recent quarterly meeting March 6, nearly 50 members and supporters were there, including CD Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela.
Once NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi welcomed everyone, Scott Solombrino of Dav El/BostonCoach discussed what the National Limousine Association (NLA) has been doing for the industry both nationally and locally.
Scott Solombrino of Dav El/BostonCoachSolombrino updated those in attendance about the national association’s most recent Ride Responsibly PSA featuring actress, advocate, and abuse survivor Pamela Anderson, which has received widespread media attention and has generated veritably viral waves.
He also discussed a “Surface Transportation Tax” that Massachusetts legislators have been seeking both assistance and support with. The bill would impose a tax on TNCs from which livery and taxi operators would be exempt—and has been gaining traction in Florida, too. Additonally, NELA’s support of the bill could get the issue of fingerprint background checks back on the table.
To close out his time at the mic, Solombrino cited some interesting numbers: Uber has completed four billion while Lyft has done 300 million—comparatively, BostonCoach has 100,000 under its belt. This speaks of the demand for chauffeured transportation that TNCs have created a market for, which means that operators are well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity by marketing their superior, safer services.
NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi (right) speaks with Brion and Amela Svenson of Four Star Limousine During Jagiela’s turn at the podium, he reiterated Solombrino’s point about a growing need for ground transportation: With a daughter living in a major American city, she has embraced the car services she now knows she has access to—an opportunity that ore traditional livery companies should be latching onto. He encouraged those in the audience to update their business plans to expand their overall business strengths accordingly.
Jagiela also highlighted the educational and networking opportunities at the upcoming Chauffeur Driven Executive Retreat, which will be held in San Diego from May 6-8, before raffling off a pass to the event. Joe Puelo of Dav El/BostonCoach was the lucky winner.
Members from all over New England attended the quarterly meetingKeynote Speaker Greg Nanigian of Sandler Training closed out the informational portion of the meeting, He explained different types of behavioral styles using the “DISC” method (dominant, influence, steadiness, and compliant) and how employing a mix of those personalities yields a well-rounded workplace.
Raffles that included a 50/50 and scratch-off lottery tickets closed out the evening meeting.
The next NELA event will be its Chauffeur Appreciation Day June 7, and its annual membership meeting will be June 19.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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