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- Category: Industry News
Keep yourself informed and connected to other members of the industry by attending these important meetings. You can also view meetings for the rest of the year on Chauffeur Driven’s Industry Events page.
International Association of Transportation Regulators
“Regulatory Reboot” Conference (virtual)
12/13-12/17 (registration required)
Minority Limousine Operators of America
“Goal Setting for 2022”
12/15 at 2:00 p.m. ET via Zoom
Strategy Leaders
“Valuations: What Is Your Business Worth, and Why It Matters” webinar
12/15 at 1:00 p.m. ET (registration required)
New England Livery Association
Quarterly Meeting and Holiday Party
12/16 at 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. ET at Kowloon (registration required)
Illinois Limousine & Bus Association
Coffee With the ILLBA
12/21 at 10:00 a.m. CT via Zoom (registration required, email illinoislimousineassociation@gmail.com)
United Motorcoach Association
Weekly Town Hall
Every Thursday at 2 p.m. ET via Zoom (registration required)
Did we miss your association meeting? Let us know! Email susan@chauffeurdriven.com or rob@chauffeurdriven.com to be included in our calendar.
[12.14.21]
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- Category: Industry News
ABC Companies, a leading provider of motorcoach, transit, and specialty passenger transport equipment in the USA and Canada, has expanded its distribution agreement with Turtle Top to offer its popular Odyssey, Terra Transit, and Vanterra product line in locations covering the eastern seaboard from Georgia to New York State, as well as the states of Oklahoma and Texas. The Turtle Top conversions will be available on a number of premium performance chassis’ including the Ford E 350, E450, F550, F600, and Freightliner S2C for flexibility in almost any application. ABC will offer combustion and 100 percent battery electric versions of popular models, providing EV options for Turtle Top premium shuttles with numerous seating configurations to accommodate up to 34 riders and multiple wheelchair options. The expansion strengthens ABC’s position in the passenger van and shuttle space as micro-transit and on-demand services are rapidly expanding.
Turtle Top premium shuttle with EV options for ABC Companies
“We are excited to expand distribution of Turtle Top products for our customers with these high-quality commercial passenger vehicle options that can bring greater service flexibility and proven quality to their operations”, said ABC Companies Vice President Marketing Thom Peebles. “These proven performers can help customers take advantage of the growing needs in their municipal and regional communities for micro-transit, mobility as a service and paratransit applications, as well as applications from airport shuttles to premium passenger transport operations.”
For fleets who are integrating zero emissions vehicles, the battery electric chassis options from ABC Companies provides a scalable EV solution built on industry leading proven technologies.
“Customer service excellence is a shared core value at Turtle Top and ABC, and we are excited to bring our strong reputation for service and parts support to the passenger van and shuttle market, enhancing our customers’ competitive advantage,” said ABC President/Chief Commercial Officer Roman Cornell. “Delivery of the vehicle is a small part of the ownership cycle, and ABC believes that our continued service and support of our customers is what sets us apart and has been the hallmark of our success.”
“ABC Companies offers a comprehensive portfolio of service, parts, warranty, and customer care support behind every sale. This approach ensures the high quality of our Turtle Top products will be supported with equally high standards of service for our shared customers,” added Turtle Top General Manager Matt Sausaman.
Offered through ABC’s Specialty Vehicles & Technologies (SVT) division, Turtle Top buyers can expect the same levels of technical expertise, comprehensive service and parts support that ABC is renowned for in the private motorcoach industry. The SVT division is focused on discovering and bringing innovative solutions and strategies to market that offer transformative mobility options to ABC customers.
“Our dedicated SVT sales team specializes in helping customers seamlessly onboard these new products to ensure smooth operations from day one,” said Cornell. “Our ‘Make it Happen’ approach is based on exceeding customer expectations and simplifying fleet integration for private and public operations, including those who are readying for zero-emissions adoption.”
Visit abc-companies.com for more information.
[12.13.21]
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- Category: Industry News
A snapshot of what’s in the news for the week of December 6, 2021.
Omicron Variant: It looks like Delta has some competition as the newest strain of COVID, Omicron, has hit the States. The news broke over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and the first case of the variant was reported in California last week with many other states quickly following. World leaders are taking notice and trying to hinder the spread, with many imposing additional restrictions on travel (especially from many southern countries on the African continent where the variant was first discovered). Associations across the travel spectrum have voiced their concerns just as restrictions on international travel were loosening. Although time will tell how virulent or deadly this strain will become, one thing is for sure: we’re all getting a lesson on the Greek alphabet.
Mask Mandates Extended on Transportation Through March 2022: The Biden administration has extended the federal mask mandate for all travelers on airplanes, ships, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares and at transportation hubs such as airports until March 18, 2022. It was previously extended this past August to mid-January 2022, but was revised with the Omicron variant ready to make its way through the States just in time for winter. Due to the rising and troubling number of assaults and batteries from frustrated and combative travelers, fines for not wearing a mask were doubled in late summer, with first offenses now clocking in at $500 and repeat offenders facing possible fines up to $3,000.
Job Numbers: It was a disappointing jobs report last week as the US economy added 210,000 jobs in November, fewer than half of what economists expected and the slowest job creation month in 2021. Leisure and hospitality, which was leading the job recovery this year after being the hardest-hit sector during the pandemic, fell from the ultimate position for an essentially flat month. Instead, jobs in transportation (trucking) and warehousing captured the top spot—which probably isn’t a bad thing considering the issues in the supply chain. One off month isn’t cause for panic, so we’ll find out how well the holiday season was for the economy in early January.
NYC Vaccine Mandate: Outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio isn’t leaving the Big Apple with a whimper. In what has been called a first for the nation, the mayor of the country’s largest city—and the epicenter of the pandemic throughout 2020—has announced that all employees of private businesses will be required to have at least one shot of the COVID vaccine by December 27. The mandate was already in place for city employees and health care workers, and there won’t be an option for testing over vaccine. Guidance is expected to be released by the mayor’s office by December 15. Of course, everyone is under the gun as employees were given just three weeks to get into compliance and businesses scramble during the remaining days of the year. De Blasio cites the new variant as the reason for his strict measure, although it’s unclear if incoming mayor Eric Adams (who assumes the role on January 1) will continue with the mandate.
Further, the city will require children aged 5-11 to show proof of one vaccination dose in order to enter fitness, indoor dining, entertainment, and performance venues starting December 14. New Yorkers aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of two vaccine doses, instead of one, except for those who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, starting December 27.
[12.08.21]