New England Livery Association Continues State-by-State TNC Fight

BOSTON—The continuing fight against illegal TNCs was front and center on the agenda at the June 14 meeting of the New England Livery Association (NELA).  Association Executive Director, Rick Szilagyi presented an update on TNC legislation throughout New England to more than 75 members in attendance at the dinner meeting.

In addition, NLA Board member Scott Solombrino (Dav El/Boston Coach) updated members on legislative and lobbying initiatives at the federal level, and Tom Halligan, LCT East Coast editor, presented results from the June Fact Book—LCT’s annual survey of the industry— that included data on the effects of TNCs on the industry.

Regarding TNCs operating throughout New England, Szilagyi gave a state-by-state status update:

Massachusetts: The NELA is working more closely with the taxi industry, which collectively now includes funding three lobbying firms and two public relations firms, to represent the interests of the private transportation industry at the state level regarding TNC legislation. The state House bill does not include requirements the NELA is pushing—fingerprint background checks, 24/7 commercial insurance and plates designating TNC vehicles—and the Senate bill will be release later this month.

Rhode Island:  Last year, two TNCs proposed House and Senate bills were polar opposites in relation to leveling the playing field that both stalled. The NELA’s lobbying firm is working with the governor’s office, key legislators and regulators on a House bill that includes fingerprinting and vehicle plates, but no action is expected this year, while TNCs continue to operate illegally.

Connecticut:  A pro-TNC bill died this year and the NELA is continuing to work with state operators to keep up the pressure to fight and ensure any future legislative bills level the playing field.

New Hampshire:  Although many large municipalities “stood strong” against TNCs disregarding local regulations, Szilagyi said the TNCs moved the battle to the state level where a pro-TNC bill passed.  However, the NELA plans to continue to work to chip away at the bill during the next legislative session.

Vermont and Maine: In Vermont, two TNC bills died this year and in Maine, pro-TNC legislation was passed. The NELA plans to continue its fight in both states to fight the new legislation.

Keywords

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This Week In Uber: Discrimination And Lewd Activities

Uber Driver Allegedly Calls Man “Disgusting” For Kissing Male Friend: Drew Ezell, 28, told BuzzFeed News he had been doing karaoke with friends at the Laird Hotel in Melbourne, Australia before ordering an Uber home. Ezell claims the driver told him and his friend to get out of the car, saying, “I refuse to drive disgusting people like you,” because they had started kissing. Buzzfeed article here

Ontario Uber Driver Accused Of Sex Assault On Boy: Durham Regional Police say a 29-year-old man picked up the boy, who is under 16 years old, at an address in south Oshawa. After speaking with the boy, the driver reached over and touched his genitals, police alleged. They say he then stopped the vehicle and sexually assaulted the boy. Toronto Sun article here

Report Says Uber Drivers Involved In More Fatal Collisions Than Taxis: Uber cars were involved in more deadly crashes than yellow cabbies in the second half of 2015, according to data the Taxi and Limousine Commission released June 15. Cars affiliated with Uber were involved in five fatal collisions from July to December, though only one driver was found to be at fault, resulting in a suspension, according to the TLC. There was only one fatal crash involving a yellow cab in that time — last November when a driver struck and killed a pedestrian. The cabbie had been driving for 16 hours, with about two and half hours of rest time, the TLC said. New York Daily News article here

Uber To Pay $7.5M In Driver Background Check Lawsuit: The app-based car service has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle yet another lawsuit brought forth by drivers. The San Francisco federal court case centered on allegations Uber terminated drivers after obtaining their background reports without authorization. PC Magazine article here

Uber Continues to Burn Through All Its Cash: Uber and its rivals are paying for their escalating price wars with money they’ve raised in debt and equity markets. And it’s getting harder to see how they’re all going to be able to pay it back. The TNC’s latest plan is to borrow up to $2 billion from U.S. leveraged-loan investors. While the company’s plans for the cash are unclear, most of its money has ultimately gone toward the same goal, which is to claim market share by undercutting its competitors with lower prices. Skift article here

Uber Likes Being Regulated As Long As It Can Write The Rules:  Uber has been vocal about condemning legislation that veers from its preferred template—such as requiring fingerprinting for drivers, or asking it to pay hefty operating fees. Uber denounces these bills as hurting competition and consumer choice. For a recent example, see Austin, Texas, which Uber departed in May after losing a referendum on ride-hailing rules it had deemed too restrictive. Quartz article here

Keywords

accidents   background checks   death   fatalities   lawsuits   regulations   Sexual Assault   TNC travesty   TNCs   Uber   

 

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Uber, Lyft In Upstate NY “Unlikely” This Year

A law to authorize ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft to operate outside New York City is unlikely to get approved by the state Legislature this year, lawmakers said.

The hang-up is a battle over the insurance rates required of the companies, its drivers and passengers — pitting unions, insurance companies and trial lawyers against one another in a high-priced lobbying war. Taxi drivers also opposed the measure.

The expected outcome: gridlock.

Press Connects article here

Keywords

insurance rates   lawsuits   legislation   New York operators   TNCs   Uber   

 

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JetSmarter Is “Uber Of Private Jets”

JetSmarter is a brand new private transportation startup that many are calling the Uber of private jets. The company combines three different services into one — free scheduled JetShuttle flights, last-minute JetDeals, and chartered flights — all accessible in a single app.

BGR article here

Keywords

business travel   charter jet   leisure travel   luxury market trends   mobile applications   private jets   

 

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How Personalization Is Affecting Business Travel

What will be the key element to using personalization within managed travel in the next few years? Most travel management companies (TMC) and technology suppliers believe this may lie in the creation of a single ‘one-stop-shop’ app or web-based portal that will cater for all of a business traveler’s needs.

Jill Palmer, managing director of technology-focused TMC Click Travel, says consolidating the booking process within a single portal is vital and will end the need for travelers to use a multitude of different apps or websites from individual suppliers.

“The power of data and consolidation of that data is crucial to delivering the right customer experience,” she adds. “Personalization is inevitable and we want to support it. The important thing for business travelers is to have one place to go to book all their travel – personalization from the supplier needs to come through this portal.”

Buying Business Travel article here

Keywords

customer service   mobile applications   mobile technology   online reservations   research and trends   reservations access   smartphone reservations   

 

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