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Nearly two dozen operators, industry vendors, and board members attended the recent Limousine, Bus, Taxi Operators of Upstate New York (LBTOUNY) Zoom meeting on March 3. It was the first meeting of the year and was led by LBTOUNY President Kevin Barwell of Giorgio’s Limousine Service.
Several other state association representatives also joined the call, including Limousine Association of New York President Jeff Rose of Attitude New York, Long Island Limousine Association President Tom Gouldsbury of Azure Limousines, NLA First Vice President Doug Schwartz of Executive Ground Transportation, and Bill Yuhnke of Liberty Cabs on behalf of The Transportation Alliance. Each were offered time to discuss the issues impacting their area of the Empire State.
LBTOUNY President Kevin Barwell
After brief introductions from attendees, Barwell turned the mic over to the guest speakers from the insurance world: Stephanie Ruggles and Alex Gesicki of National Interstate Insurance and Mark Crisafulli of Haylor, Freyer & Coon. As N.Y. operators continue to struggle with insurance rates and new burdens of coverage limits, including the mandatory $1.5M SUM insurance that covers under- and uninsured motorists in an accident, the trio offered their assessment of the market and tips for a favorable renewal. Communication with your broker, detailed hiring practices and training, and use of in-vehicle cameras all topped the list. And because the market is so tight from primary and excess carriers leaving the state and the industry, they warned that a canceled policy may result in difficulty in securing coverage and may be limited to risk pools with rates many times higher.
LBTOUNY Legislative Chairman David Bastian
Next, Legislative Chairman David Bastian of Towne Livery shared the goings-on in the state capital. They have seen an increase in TNC and livery drivers without the proper plates and thus, the required insurance, picking up passengers, which Bastian said was ultimately a safety issue should an accident occur. Thanks to a great working relationship with the state, both Bastian and Barwell encouraged operators to take and send pictures of these vehicles—including buses—so that they can help with enforcement. Barwell also shared that he’s been made aware of the DMV issuing the incorrect plates to TNCs without the required insurance, which is an issue they are following closely. They are also working to get a sales tax exemption for the industry through the Assembly and to the governor after already passing the Senate.
The effects of the Schoharie crash in 2018 continue to linger, but the association and industry will officially have representation on the newly created Limousine Passenger Safety Task Force. David Brown of Premiere Transportation was appointed, although he is only one of two livery companies on the committee that mainly comprises families of the crash victims and other agencies that are pushing for additional regulation. Brown says he hopes to be able to provide a balance between a public that wants stricter regulations and the industry’s ability to operate safely but also profitably.
Barwell noted that the association is the preliminary stages of organizing a Day on the Hill for Albany and hopes to resume in-person meetings this summer, including their late-season baseball outing. The next meeting is scheduled for April 28 via Zoom.
Visit lbtony.com for more information.
[03.15.22]
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On March 10, the Biden administration announced the extension of the federal mask mandate on airlines and transportation services until April 18, 2022. With COVID cases plummeting rapidly across North America, and many locales dropping or modifying their own masking protocols, US Travel Association (USTA) President and CEO Roger Dow sees an opportunity to reinvigorate worldwide travel and move toward a phase-out of the current regulations that have been in place throughout most of the pandemic.
U.S. Travel Association President & CEO Roger Dow
“The Biden administration urgently needs to send a clear message to the American public and the world that it is safe to travel again, particularly for vaccinated individuals, despite this 30-day extension of the federal mask mandate. We continue to urge the federal government to phase out the mask requirement and put forward a clear plan for travelers within this 30-day period. The Biden administration can help to normalize travel conditions in their April 18 framework by repealing both the pre-departure testing requirement for vaccinated international inbound air travelers and the federal mask mandate.”
On February 25, when new guidance was issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that relaxes many COVID-era policies—including indoor mask wearing—USTA, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Airlines for America, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce appealed in a letter to White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients to replace pandemic-era travel advisories, requirements, and restrictions with endemic-focused policies that enable travel to resume fully and safely and the American economy to accelerate its recovery.
The recommendations to restore travel included:
- Removing the pre-departure testing requirement for all fully vaccinated inbound international arrivals.
- Repealing the federal mask mandate for public transportation networks or provide a clear roadmap to remove the mask mandate within 90 days.
- Ending “Avoid Travel” advisories and the use of travel bans.
- Working with other countries to normalize travel conditions and entry requirements.
- Developing by June 1, benchmarks and timelines for a pathway to the new normal that repeals pandemic-focused travel restrictions.
New cases of COVID have decreased to a seven-day average of 35,000, down from more than 800,000. United Airlines, which had the strictest vaccine mandate policy for its employees of all air transportation, recently relaxed its guidance and allowed its non-vaccinated employees to return to work—which was fewer than 4 percent of its workforce.
Visit ustravel.org for more information.
[03.15.22]
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- Category: Industry News
Mercedes-Benz Tourrider Premium
The new Mercedes-Benz Tourrider Premium motorcoach will premiere at the upcoming CD/NLA Show this March 27-30 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. Mercedes-Benz describes the vehicle as a luxury motorcoach for the first-class segment that has been specifically designed for the North American market. You can read more about the Tourrider product line here.
The company says that the 45-foot three-axle vehicle with a chrome-plated central star sets new standards for design, comfort, technology, and individuality in the US and Canada. Especially important today, its aerodynamic shape has been optimized for low fuel consumption.
Mercedes-Benz Tourrider Premium interior
The Tourrider Premium is available with a panoramic TopSky glass roof and ambient lighting for night trips. LED strips along the luggage racks and underneath the windowsills create a comfortable atmosphere and offer greater safety for passengers. The spacious interior is also more than 2 inches higher in the Premium version than in the Tourrider Business. Both versions offer an option for up to two wheelchair space and a lift.
For safety, the Tourrider is among the first motorcoaches to be equipped with the standard Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA 5) system with pedestrian detection and will brake automatically to a full stop if stationary or moving obstacles, including people, are detected. A radar-assisted adaptive cruise control system also maintains a safe distance at cruise speed.
The optional Attention Assist (ATAS) keeps an eye on the driver at all times. It provides a visual and audible warning if it detects typical signs of fatigue or inattentiveness. As another safety feature, the lane departure warning system, a camera system behind the windshield, detects if the vehicle unintentionally strays from the marked lane and alerts the driver.
Passive safety was also a design focus. The Front Collision Guard offers unique protection for drivers and tour escorts. The system consists of a cross-profile that serves as an underride guard in the event of an accident. The structure behind it consists of crash elements that will absorb energy in a targeted way in the event of an impact. The Mercedes-Benz Tourrider is also equipped with integrated energy absorbing bumpers in the front and the rear of the vehicle.
From the Daimler Truck global engine family, the Mercedes-Benz OM 471 in-line six-cylinder engine delivers 450 hp and achieves a maximum torque of 1,550 ft lb (2,102 Nm). The Allison WTB 500R torque converter automatic transmission, which has proven itself in North America over many years, is responsible for power transmission.
When it’s time for service, Daimler Coaches North America has a comprehensive service network across the US and Canada. In alignment with Daimler Truck North America’s service and parts distribution networks, operators can rely on more than 700 Detroit Diesel service locations and 18 full coach service centers.
You can see the new Tourride in person on the show floor at the CD/NLA Show in Vegas. Be sure to stop by the Daimler/Mercedes-Benz booth #280 to get a look.
Visit media.daimlertruck.com for more information.
[03.15.22]