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Doris Kidd of J.C. Kidd and Associates
Baltimore, Md.— The most recent gathering of the Maryland Limousine Association (MLA) was held on January 28 and several topics were hashed out.
First and foremost, MLA President Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady attended a hearing on a city tax that Baltimore is attempting to amend. The city itself refers to the tax as a “taxi tax” but it is applicable to any vehicle that carries 14 passengers or less. As it stands now, the tax would impose a $1.50 surcharge on each passenger. MLA and other groups would like to see this this lowered to 25 or 35 cents per passenger. Unfortunately, Baltimore officials were forced to reconvene the hearing due a limited understanding of the limousine industry—city officials were unaware that limousines and related vehicles do not have meters like a taxicab.
Uber and other rogue apps were discussed, as seems to be par for the course with most limousine associations these days, but the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) have slapped Uber with a cease and desist order and appear to have the collective backs of the livery industry in the state of Maryland at this point in time. “It’s going to take one state to come down definitively on the Ubers, Lyfts, and Sidecars of the world, and when it does all the other states will follow suit, I’m sure,” says Fridinger.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was also discussed at the meeting. Jack and Doris Kidd of J.C. Kidd & Associates spoke at length about its repercussions on all small businesses. The Kidds, who have a combined 55 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industries, said that the rules are changing every day and recommended speaking with certified, state-trained “health care navigator” to streamline the process. The employer mandate portion of the bill was postponed again last week.
Visit mdlimoassoc.org for more information.
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The Meridian "Tourismo" Las Vegas, Nev.— Meridian Specialty Vehicles, a Las Vegas, Nevada-based, Mercedes-Benz approved bus manufacturer unveiled its new Sprinter-based “Tourismo” midsize luxury motorcoach bus product line at the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Expo in Los Angeles, CA.
The high-end Tourismo is Meridian’s newest in a growing number of product offerings on the popular and eco-friendly Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform, designed specifically for tour, charter and limousine operators.
The Tourismo’s standard six-foot interior ceiling height, 24-foot overall length, multiple high-end European-style reclining seating configurations including bench, booth or forward-facing arrangements, individual overhead air controls and reading lights, PA system, LED mood and cabin lighting, wood grain commercial flooring, video system, over-sized ducted air conditioning and heating, integrated backup camera, skylights and more, truly redefines luxury travel in a midsize platform.
Available options normally reserved exclusively for the Tourismo’s behemoth brothers and sisters include mobile Wi-Fi, fire suppression system, infotainment solutions, 110 Volt/USB passenger power outlets, privacy curtains, tire pressure monitoring, even fully-equipped lavatories. In all, over 100 options are available to customize every bus for each operator’s individual tastes and requirements for comfort and safety.
“With best-in-class 11,030-pound GVWR, incredibly smooth, quiet and comfortable ride quality and ultra-efficient and notoriously long-lasting diesel engines, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was our immediate platform choice for the Tourismo midsize tour bus to answer to our charter clients’ ongoing demand for a sub-20 passenger luxury touring coach," says David Ronsen, President and CEO of Meridian Specialty Vehicles. “Tour guests have become accustomed to high-end accommodations and tour operators are expected to provide luxurious buses, regardless of group size. Until now, operators have had few options other than to operate 40-, 50- or even 60-passenger coaches for a 15 passenger group. When calculating associated fuel and maintenance costs, that practice simply doesn’t add up. The Tourismo solves the problem with a very cost-effective, fully-equipped mini tour bus that achieves an astounding 300+ passenger miles per gallon. Operators will love the best-in-class amenities, including our exclusive luggage bay door and storage system and their passengers will love the privacy and panoramic views provided by the Sprinter’s ample, narrow-framed windows and Meridian’s exclusive glass plug door.”
Visit meridiansv.com for more information.
2/14
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Boca Raton, Fla.—The Florida Limousine Association (FLA) Board of Directors announced last week that Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine Service has been named the president of the association. He previously held the position of treasurer.
The officers for 2014 are:
Vice President: Mike Sobol of East Coast Transportation
Treasurer: Bito Pimento of Enova Worldwide Transportation Network
Secretary: Dave Shaw of Olympus Limousine
Directors: Bob Boroday of Associated Limousine Service; Lorraine Celestino Wilde of GO Airport Shuttle & GO Executive Car; Robert Boroday of Prime Network Ground Transportation; Scott Crowe of Executive Ground Logistics; John Finch of Sunshine Shuttle & Limousine; Tony Marino of Regency Executive Service & Transportation and Amondo Sapiro of M & L Limousine
Vendor Director: Rick Fugitt of Gateway Coachworks
Visit floridalimousine.com for more information.
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