Friday, September 30, 2016

Tesla Model S On Autopilot Involved In Crash

<p><a href="http://ift.tt/2cFUNwE">Photo via Tesla</a></p>A Tesla Model S driver in Germany got into an accident while Autopilot was activated, but the semi-autonomous feature may not be to blame.

The Tesla Model S crashed into a tourist bus in Germany, slightly injuring the driver in the process, the AP reported. The 29 people on the bus were unharmed in the accident.

German police are saying the 50-year-old driver is blaming Autopilot for the crash, according to the AP. The Model S rear-ended the bus on the highway.

Business Insider article here

Keywords

accidents   autonomous vehicles   bus crash   driverless cars   German operators   self-driving vehicles   Tesla   Tesla Model S   

 

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Tire Failure Caused Fatal South Carolina Charter Bus Crash

<p>(Photo from WBTW-TV 13)</p>RALEIGH, N.C. -– The NC Highway Patrol released their report Sept. 28 on the deadly crash involving a charter bus of football players that happened Saturday Sept. 17 in Richmond County.

According to investigators, a 1993 MCI Motor Coach Bus registered to Sandy River Baptist Church located in Chesterfield, S.C., was traveling east on U.S. 74 bypass near the city of Hamlet when the front left tire blew out.

WBTW-TV 13 News article here 

Keywords

accidents   bus crash   charter and tour   charter and tour operators   fatalities   motorcoach operators   motorcoaches   tires and wheels   

 

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Wednesday, September 28, 2016

TNC Drivers In CA Will Face Stricter Background Checks

<p><a href="http://ift.tt/28Ipr63">Photo via PEXELS (jeshoots.com)</a></p>SACRAMENTO, Calif. — TNC drivers will be subject to stricter background checks and face tighter rules on driving under the influence through legislation authored by Assemblymen Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) and Katcho Achadjian (R-San Luis Obispo).

Under one law, ride-hailing companies no longer can hire drivers who are registered sex offenders, have been convicted of violent felonies or, within the last seven years, have a driving-under-the-influence conviction. The companies will face fines of up to $5,000 for violating the rules.

The second law prohibits drivers from having a blood-alcohol level of 0.04 or higher compared to the current level of 0.08 for non-commercial drivers.

The Los Angeles Times article here

Keywords

background checks   California operators   driver safety   hiring   hiring chauffeurs   Lyft   passenger safety   regulatory enforcement   state regulations   TNCs   Uber   

 

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GCLA 2016 Casino Night Fundraiser Throws Out Good Deals

The Greater California Livery Association held its sixth annual Casino Night lobbying fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Penske Cadillac Buick GMC dealership in Torrance, Calif. 

Keywords

Acton Fleet Sales   California operators   dealerships   fundraiser   GCLA   Greater California Livery Association   limo associations   lobbying   SoCal Penske   

 

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California Operators Raise Stakes For A Righteous Cause

<p>San Diego area operator Tony Talia (L) and LCT contributing editor (R) Jim Luff with Stacey Martinez at the GCLA Casino Night in Torrance, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 (LCT photo)</p>TORRANCE, Calif. — The Greater California Livery Association‘s bag of lobbying funds got a little heavier with donated winnings from its annual Casino Night on Sept. 24.

About 85 operators and vendors “gambled” at blackjack, poker and roulette tables and participated in a silent auction to raise $17,000 minus event costs for the association’s lobbying efforts in Sacramento, now focused on achieving regulatory parity with transportation network companies (TNCs).

LCT GCLA PHOTO GALLERY HERE

The big poker winner of the night was operator Abe Zeke of Masters Limousine in Los Angeles, who won a 55-inch digital TV donated by sponsor Grech Motors.

GCLA Casino Night was held at the Penske Cadillac Buick GMC dealership in Torrance, site of lead sponsor Acton/SoCal Penske Professional Vehicles.

Keywords

Acton Fleet Sales   California operators   dealerships   fundraiser   GCLA   Greater California Livery Association   Grech Motors   limo associations   lobbying   SoCal Penske   

 

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Skedaddle Works To Change Charter Bus Business

<p><a href="http://ift.tt/2dbq3lW via Skedaddle's Facebook page</a></p>NEW YORK — Skedaddle, the ridesharing startup, is trying to do what Uber and Lyft did for ride-hailing for charter bus service around the country. The business, which was launched two years ago on the premise that people would want to escape the city on the weekend and needed a means to do so, is starting to take the chartered bus industry by storm.

PYMENTS.com item here

Keywords

apps   charter and tour operators   client markets   group transportation   line runs   motorcoach operators   motorcoaches   on-demand service   

 

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Why, It’s Just The Cutest Little Bubble Bus

<p>(Photo credit: Co.Exist.com / Fast Company)</p>When you step on Olli, a bubble-shaped driverless bus now in trials in Knoxville, Tenn., you can ask the bus if it will take you where you need to go or to recommend a restaurant for dinner, and the robot will politely answer.

Depending on location, the electric minibus can also work like Uber, letting passengers request a ride through an app.

Co.Exist.com/Fast Company article here

Keywords

autonomous vehicles   buses   driverless cars   group transportation   Las Vegas   Las Vegas operators   mini-buses   Nevada operators   self-driving vehicles   

 

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Ohio Family Opens Party Bus Business

<p><a href="http://ift.tt/2dBoH27 via Carpe Diem Party Bus' Facebook page</a></p>SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Dean and Amanda Pulfer started Carpe Diem Party Bus after their own personal experience with party buses and knew Springfield could benefit from the business.

“We used party buses for our bachelor and bachelorette parties and we thought it would be a great thing to have,” said Amanda Pulfer. “We drove past an auction house, saw the bus and we decided to make it happen.”

Springfield News-Sun article here

Keywords

family businesses   New Operator   Ohio operators   party buses   small business   small-fleet operators   startup   

 

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Luxury Travelers Value Experiences Overall

<p><a href="http://ift.tt/25vRBVX">Photo via PEXELS (stokpic.com)</a></p>The luxury travel industry still yields high results with affluent consumers going on more than triple the number of trips average households take, according to a report prepared by Resonance.

General consumers in the U.S. take only an average of 4.8 trips a year, compared to the wealthiest 5% who take more than 14.3 trips per year. The luxury travel sector alone pulls in about $390 billion each year, with each trip costing $3,115 per family member.

Luxury Daily article here

Keywords

client markets   leisure travel   luxury market trends   research and trends   VIP service   wealthy clients   

 

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CA Governor Signs Bus Safety Bills

<p>California Gov. Jerry Brown&nbsp;<a href="http://ift.tt/2dbpUz4">Photo via Flikr (usacehq)</a></p>Two years after a charter bus crash killed 10 people, including five Los Angeles-area high school students, Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 27 signed legislation that will improve safety regulations for such large vehicles.

The bill will require charter buses designed to carry 39 or more passengers and made after July 1, 2020 to be equipped with emergency lighting that would be automatically activated in the event of a collision.

The measure also requires bus drivers to provide written or video instructions to all passengers on how to use the vehicle’s safety equipment and emergency exits prior to any trip.

Los Angeles Times article here

Keywords

California operators   charter and tour   charter and tour operators   industry regulations   motorcoaches   passenger safety   state regulations   vehicle safety   

 

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NYC Uber, Lyft Drivers Protest For Union Rights

<p><a href="http://ift.tt/1o5pmgp">Photo via Wikimedia Commons (Nathan Keirn)</a></p>Drivers for Uber turned out in the streets of Queens on the morning of Sept. 27, demanding their right to unionize outside the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission in Long Island City.

“We demand living wage fares, no pool fares, protection from exploitation, union representation,” read one big green sign held up by one Uber driver.

The TNC workers — categorized as “independent contractors” rather than employees by tech companies like Uber and Lyft — had joined up with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181, which represents city bus drivers. Copies of over 14,000 signed union cards sat in a fat bundle on the table in the center of the demonstration, 10,000 cards thicker since May.

VICE News article here

Keywords

driver behavior   driver pay   employee vs independent contractor   independent contractor issues   Lyft   New York City   New York operators   New York Taxi & Limousine Commission   TNCs   Uber   unionization   

 

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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Metro Cars Builds Strong Affiliate Relationships

TAYLOR, Mich. — Since 1990, Metro Cars has billed itself as synonymous with safe, reliable, quality transportation. Its motto, “one call for all your transportation needs,” rings true when you look at their fleet; with sedans, stretch limos, limo coaches, executive vans, shuttles, and luxury motorcoaches, they’ve got any and all affiliate needs covered.

The company is the exclusive transportation provider at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, and provides chauffeurs who are TSA security screened, drug tested, and carry photo ID badges.

Its farm-in to farm-out ratio is about 50/50, so they are experienced on both sides of the spectrum.

<p>Mark Hayden, corporate director of risk, safety and information technology</p>Mark Hayden, corporate director of risk, safety and information technology for Metro Cars, says when you’re doing a farm-in, remember one important rule: “This is another company’s customer, and you have to treat them with the utmost respect and care. This isn’t just a passenger — this is someone who has entrusted their client to you.”

“You have to think of it like you’re an extension of a company that trusts you with their business, and vice versa,” adds Paula Mikola, vice president of sales and marketing.

LCT CONNECT PROFILE HERE

In the 25 years the company has been in business, they’ve seen many changes in the way operations affiliate with one another. “I think people have really started to realize how important affiliate work is. Now, I think more operators understand it can be a really lucrative part of doing business,” Mikola says.

<p>Paula Mikola, vice president of sales and marketing</p>In addition, Ray Domzalski, design and advertising manager, mentions the important role tech has played in connecting businesses to each other. “Technology has really helped us gain access to a larger pool of qualified companies. It’s easier to screen and learn more about them, as well as communicate.”

LCT Connect has aided Metro Cars in doing just that. “There’s been a lot of pressure to change from outside of the industry to provide better service and be more reliable,” Domzalski explains. “It’s really made companies band together instead of fighting one another.”

Mikola says the company has affiliates in about every market, but the business occasionally goes into a new market or one where they’ve never had a request <p>Ray Domzalski, design and advertising manager</p>before.

“That’s where LCT Connect comes in. People spend time, money, and effort to be on the site, and this helps us vet potential affiliates better. It’s really a great resource.”

Mikola hopes the site will help the company expand its relationships with other luxury ground transportation companies. “I think we’ve built some wonderful relationships at the [LCT] shows, and I’m sure there are many more out there we would love to be able to build on and get to know.”

Keywords

affiliate networks   Affiliate Report   Detroit   Detroit operators   farm-in   farm-out   how to   LCTconnect.com   Michigan operators   

 

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Tiffany Limo Bus Offers Versatile Entertainment

<p>Photos from Limoforsale.com.</p>PHILADELPHIA, Penn. — A Tiffany Coachworks limo bus used mostly for weddings comes with ways to enchant all types of clients, in all kinds of settings.

Just look at the seven photos showing the party-dance pole basking in various lighting themes.

The 2012, 34-passenger Freightliner M2 diesel party bus is now available on Limoforsale.com for $98,650 at 52,834 miles.

DETAILS, SPECS & SELLER INFO HERE

Among the entertainment amenities: fiber optic lighting, strobe lights, premium sound, touch screen entertainment, TV/DVD, dance pole, iPod aux integration, satellite TV receiver, and a disco ceiling.

“I have all the service records for this meticulously kept bus,” the seller writes of the white bus, which has mechanical and interior condition ratings of 10 and an exterior condition rating of 9.

“Great addition to anyone’s fleet and it comes with a book of business if you’re located in the tri-state (Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey).”

Keywords

entertainment electronics   limo buses   Limoforsale.com   online vehicle sales   party buses   party poles   Tiffany Coachworks   used vehicles   vehicle sales   

 

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New Cadillac CT6 Helps Move Brand

<p><a href="http://ift.tt/2dixSXu">Photo courtesy of Cadillac</a></p>Cadillac’s CT6 is new for this year, and it seems to check off many of the boxes on what a large luxury sedan should be. It’s larger, yet very sleek-looking from the outside. It has the luxury sedan look, with a long hood and body, but still a shorter rear end when viewed from the side. The front end has a large grill and wraparound headlights that extend farther back on the hood. It’s a bit flashy without being over the top.

wtop article here

Keywords

Cadillac   Cadillac CT6   new sedans   new vehicles   premium luxury sedans   Vehicle Reviews   

 

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Bespoke Rolls-Royce Interiors To Make You Marvel

<p><a href="http://ift.tt/2d8DaX2">Photo via Robb Report</a></p>In 2003, Rolls-Royce opened its Bespoke Design division as part of the company’s headquarters and production center in Goodwood, England.

The team is tasked with creating exquisite examples tailored to the automotive aspirations of its most discriminating clientele. From one-of-a-kind cars to extremely limited-edition runs, here are just a few of the marvels manufactured.

Robb Report article here

Keywords

luxury market trends   Rolls-Royce   unique vehicles   vehicle design   vehicle interiors   

 

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Mercedes-Benz Unveils Bulletproof Stretch Limo

<p><a href="http://ift.tt/2dixGHO">Photo via Drive Spark</a></p>German carmaker Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its range topping Maybach S600 Pullman Guard armored limousine ahead of its official debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

The Maybach S600 Pullman Guard is approximately 256 in. long, has a 174 in. long wheelbase, and weighs a massive 5.6 tons.

Drive Spark article here

Keywords

Mercedes-Benz   Mercedes-Benz S-Class   new vehicles   security   vehicle security   

 

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