Limousine Association News Round-Up

Greater Orlando Limousine Association

The Greater Orlando Limousine Association (GOLA) is working with the office of U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Florida, to ensure that limousine operators in the Orlando area have access to any economic stimulus monies that become available to small businesses.

Most operators who belong to GOLA operate fleets of 10 vehicles or less. Additionally, GOLA is negotiating with the Orange County Convention Center to make the pilot program that allows GOLA to manage the luxury curbside lane at major events into a permanent contract with GOLA. The program has been operating for the past two years, allowing GOLA members to stage curbside at major events such as the Home Builders Show, and provide transportation for attendees to their hotels, restaurants, and other area venues.

Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association

The Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association has negotiated with the Philadelphia International Airport a program which will waive all transponder fees for association members. Members can expect to save $25 per vehicle as a result of this program. The airport will be raising the fees it charges operators to use the limousine lot and back roadways as much as 50%. The association is continuing to work with the airport. Charles Newkirk, operations manager for Parkway Corp. who manages the limo lot and the back roadways for the airport, will address the association at its next meeting.

Maryland Limousine Association

The Maryland Limousine Association will host a Mega Membership Drive and Exhibition Sunday, March 22. The day long event will include chauffeur training with Tom Mazza as well as a vendor exhibition and used vehicle corral. For more information, visit the association website at 2ww.marylandlimoassociation.com.

Luxury Base Operators Association

Luxury Base Operators Association is working with the Bus Association of New York State to ensure that the state does impose a sales tax on service being proposed by Gov. David Patterson.

This tax would resemble the tax in place in New Jersey. The Limousine Associations of New Jersey is working with the state legislature to get the limousine industry exempted from the tax in 2010. LBOA continues to push forward reciprocity with Westchester County, Nassau County, and New York City.

Limousine Associations of New Jersey

The Limousine Association of New Jersey is working with the State Commissioner of Labor and the Chief Administrator for the Department of Motor Vehicles to make them aware of the Avis “We Drive You” program.

LANJ is drafting a position letter which will be sent to the State Assembly Transportation Committee in an effort to ensure that this program is governed in the same manner as the limousine industry.

LANJ has been working to repeal the state sales tax on limousine service. They have received a commitment from the Chairwoman of Assembly Appropriations Committee to rescind the sales tax on limousine service by July 1, 2010.

LANJ also is working with legislators to amend the New Jersey limo law. The law states that the passenger count can be four above the original manufacturer’s recommended capacity which limits 120” limousines to nine passengers. The amendment will allow for the manufacturers to certify the vehicle capacity.

Additionally, the modification will give state police the right to conduct investigations of illegal operators if they have reasonable cause. LANJ has been working with the New Jersey State Police and the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Transportation, and the taxi industry since 1999 when they mutually formed the state limousine advisory board.

On March 11, 2009, LANJ will host a meeting at Empire Coach’s New Jersey facility. The guest speaker will be NYC Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Matthew Daus. LANJ is challenging the new NYC TLC’s requirements to produce extensive documentation including background checks on companies and chauffeurs.

Source: Linda Moore, LCT Magazine