CARLSBAD, Calif. — 1-800-GET-LIMO (www.1-800getlimo.com) has launched its new 1-800-GET-LIMO national limousine network.

The network, led by Mark Adkins of 1-800-TAXICAB, Inc., a 10-year ground transportation network veteran, is taking an old concept — the 3 digit area code — and giving it a fresh twist by using each area code as a phone extension for the 1-800-GET-LIMO limousine network. Passengers connect directly to their local 1-800-GET-LIMO affiliate by simply dialing 1-800-GET-LIMO plus the three digit area code where they need service.

“Using Area Codes as unique extensions for the 1-800-GET-LIMO phone network was one of those ‘Ah-hah moments’” said Adkins, 1-800-GET-LIMO president. “We were exploring speech recognition and other tools, but each of them had a drawback. I looked down at my office phone and saw the little screen that says my office extension ‘108,’ and the idea just clicked. I thought — each affiliate can get their local three digit area code as their unique extension.”

The 1-800-GET-LIMO service is unique in the ground transportation industry. Unlike other services which sign up multiple operators in each geographic area, the 1-800-GET-LIMO business model is to license its service to one operator per three digit extension. So, for example, only one company in the country will use 1-800-GET-LIMO x 303, for Denver, while the 1-800-GET-LIMO affiliate in New York gains the exclusive rights to 1-800-GET-LIMO x 212, and the affiliate in D.C. gains the exclusive rights to 1-800-GET-LIMO x 202.

“Studies consistently show that using a vanity number in advertising creates a greater response than advertising without a vanity number,” Adkins said. “In addition, the affiliate network creates a ‘sum is greater than the parts’ effect as a result of affiliates using the number for their own benefit.”

The referral service also has launched an online site to allow passengers to submit quote requests. The newly developed online quote service has benefited from a steady flow of passengers who have found the service through listings on the sister site operated by 1-800-TAXICAB, Inc., www.1800taxicab.com, which consistently ranks first in Google search results for a number of ground transportation search terms.

The chauffeured transportation industry has begun to take notice. Several industry insiders, including a few National Limousine Association (NLA) past and present board members and operator award recipients, have joined the network, which has been quietly accepting limousine members for the last few months in anticipation of the formal launch announcement.

“I heard about the service through one of our affiliates here in Florida and called Mark,” said Carla Boroday, owner of Associated Limousine Services in Miami and President of the Florida Ground Transportation Association (FGTA). “I got the opportunity to acquire the Miami area code, 305, as our exclusive extension on the phone system.”

Other industry clients include Jonna Sabroff, owner of ITS in Los Angeles; Stephen Qua, owner of Company Car and Limousine of Cleveland; Barbara Curtis, owner of Two Step Limos in Denver; Joseph Uffens of White Tie International LLC in Phoenix; and Mark Mollica of Black Tie Limousines in Boston.

Source: 1-800-GET-LIMO; www.1-800getlimo.com