Driverless Car Technology Moving Faster Than Expected

Federal transportation officials are rethinking their position on self-driving vehicles with an eye toward getting the emerging autonomous technology into the public’s hands, according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In a written statement Monday, U.S. Department of Transportation spokeswoman Suzanne Emmerling said that with rapid development of the technology, federal policy is being updated.

“Breathtaking progress has been made,” Emmerling wrote. She said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx ordered his department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration update its 2013 policy “to reflect today’s technology and his sense of urgency to bring innovation to our roads that will make them safer.”

AP article via Huff Post Tech here

Keywords

autonomous vehicles   driverless cars   industry trends   mobile technology   research and trends   self-driving vehicles   

 

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Taxi Industry Climbing Back In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — What explains this resurgence in people entering the taxi industry in the city that launched transportation network companies?

Hansu Kim, owner of the Flywheel taxi fleet, says for the first time he is seeing Uber drivers applying to become taxi drivers. He says they realize they can make a higher hourly wage driving cabs than Ubers.

“There is a stigma attached to taxi cab driving. But Uber and Lyft have created a lot more people who would now consider driving as a way to make money,” Kim says.

While taxi drivers’ incomes are still down about 25% since Uber launched, their incomes have started to stabilize, he adds.

Wall Street Journal Digits blog article here 

Keywords

driver behavior   driver pay   San Francisco operators   staying competitive   taxis   TNCs   Uber   

 

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D.C. Operator Richard Kane Takes On Uber Black

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Richard Kane wants to go toe-to-toe with ride-sharing giant Uber Technologies Inc. to compete for the on-demand luxury ride market.

Kane, the president and CEO of D.C.-based International Limousine Service Inc., is releasing an app called Wheelz on Demand that will allow customers to hail high-end sedans and Lincoln Town Cars with their smartphones. It’s a direct attempt to take on Uber Black service.

Washington Business Journal article here

Keywords

apps   mobile technology   on-demand service   Richard Kane   startup   vehicle apps   Washington DC operators   

 

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Uber To Settle Lawsuit Over Airport Fees Charged To Riders

Transportation network company giant Uber will reimburse $1.8 million in fees it collected in 2013 and 2014, under a settlement reached Friday.

The settlement is a rare concession from a company that continues to fight hard in its most important legal battle: over how its workers should be classified.

Arstechnica.com article here

Keywords

airport fees   airports   California operators   lawsuits   legal issues   regulatory enforcement   TNCs   Uber   

 

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Jess Pavlow Named CD’s Director of Events

CD’s Ladder-Climber: Jess Pavlow
Marlton, N.J. — Chauffeur Driven is thrilled to announce that Jess Pavlow, former Circulation Coordinator, has been promoted to Director of Events.

They say that the best talent comes from within, which is definitely the case with Pavlow. She was hired in 2013 as an internal telemarketer for the Chauffeur Driven Show—a position that was meant to be temporary—but President and Publisher Chris Weiss quickly realized that he had a capable jack-of-all-trades on his hands. Pavlow jumped in feet first to assist with the inaugural show, and soon after was offered a permanent position in circulation.

Thanks to her excellent organizational skills, Pavlow became CD’s first Circulation Coordinator and successfully led the magazine through the rigorous USPS audit, which granted us periodical status. She also continued to be an integral part of the pre-show planning; more recently, she took over the management of the Affiliate Central directory of the magazine.

“Who would have thought that this tenacious, part-time telemarketer would become our Director of Events in just over 2 years,” says Weiss. “We are lucky to have Jess on our team, and she’s perfect for her new role. She’s highly organized, creative, extremely determined, and has a fantastic attitude. Everybody she encounters just loves her.”

Pavlow is a familiar face to many as she makes the rounds at association meetings and events—most recently at the TLPA’s Annual Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas in October. She is already leaving her mark on Chauffeur Driven as she is hard at work planning our Executive Retreat in New Orleans and the CD Show in Washington, D.C.

“I am beyond excited to be the new Director of Events,” she says. “I was part of the team behind the scenes for two years, and I’m proud of the evolution of the show in that short period of time. It’s amazing to be given the opportunity to be in the driver’s seat because I have a lot of ideas and I’m ready to get to work.”

Pavlow can be reached jess@chauffeurdriven.com or 856.452.0323. Visit chauffeurdrivenshow.com for more information and updates on the 2016 events!

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Dynasty Welcomes New Sales and Marketing Manager

Dynasty Limousine Sales Manager Joanna Shealy and President Tony Previte King of Prussia, Pa. — Dynasty Limousine Service recently announced that Joanna Shealy has joined its team as sales and marketing manager.

Shealy, a recent graduate of West Chester University, brings nine years of restaurant sales experience to Dynasty Limousine Service. In her current role, she will focus on the company’s social media and bridal show business, but within the next year, Shealy is expected to expand into building affiliate and corporate accounts.

“I am honored to be part of Dynasty Limousine Service,” said Shealy. “My plan as sales and marketing manager is to take the company above and beyond the industry standard. Thinking outside of the box is a specialty of mine, and I plan on continuously analyzing the market to apply the changes needed to our ever-growing business model.”

Tony Previte, president of Dynasty, is excited about having Shealy with the company. “Her innovative ideas and marketing skills will help Dynasty Limousine Service achieve its next level of success. She is quickly becoming an integral part of our team.”

Visit dynasty-limo.com for more information.

[CD1115]

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CLT Express Acquires Busy Bee Coach and Bus Tours

Columbia, S.C. — CLT Express Livery of Charlotte, N.C., a leading ground transportation provider in the Carolinas, recently acquired Busy Bee Coach and Bus Tours. The vital Columbia market was in need of a full-service chauffeured transportation coach and mini bus operator, and CLT welcomes the chance to serve clients in this area. Kristen Carroll of The LMC Group brokered the sale, making the transition effortless and seamless.

Busy Bee Coach and Bus Tours has been in operation for well over 20 years, proudly serving North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Office manager Jackie Williams will remain in the same position, ensuring a smooth transition as Busy Bee joins the CLT Express family. James Canady will be the operations manager.

In January 2016, CLT Express Livery will be rebranded and introduced as SC Coach. Laura Canady, also a board director of the National Limousine Association, has named Lauren Carter as the new office manager of SC Coach. Carter has been with the company since CLT Express Livery bought Aiken Limousine in 2010.

CLT Express and SC Express are owned by Jeff and Laura Canady. Founded in 2000 with one sedan, as of 2015 CLT has acquired four companies and currently operates a combination fleet of over 50 vehicles and 40 employees. With their diverse fleet and experienced and highly trained personnel, they cover the North and South Carolina area, providing excellent service to their clients. In the future, owners Jeff and Laura Canady plan to grow the physical operation with a nine-acre complex minutes away from uptown Charlotte and Charlotte International Airport. This expansion will make their site the largest chauffeured transportation facility from Washington, D.C., to Atlanta.

“We at CLT Express Livery are appreciative of our local and national partners in our industry, which allow our company to continue to grow while giving 100 percent to our clients with internal and external customer support now and well into the future,” said Jeff Canady.

Visit cltexpress.com or liverymanagement.com for more information.

[CD1115]

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