Limousine Finder: 2017 at 07:57AM

NYC Wheelchair Rule Unites Opposition From For-Hire Industry

<p>An MV-1 van used for paratransit transportation. Executives from a group that includes Uber, Lyft, Via, Carmel, the Limo Association of New York and the Livery Roundtable, have been meeting weekly to hash out a framework for an alternative to the TLC proposal, which would require 25% of for-hire-vehicle operators' trips be in wheelchair-accessible vehicles.  (<a href="http://ift.tt/1o3KTUS; target="_blank">Creative Commons</a> photo by <a href="http://ift.tt/2wk0xFN; target="_blank">Metropolitan Transportation Authority</a> via Flickr.com)</p>

NEW YORK — The Taxi and Limousine Commission has done something industry observers considered impossible: It’s gotten ride-hail companies, corporate limo providers and liveries on the same page. Literally.

Eight operators and trade groups have sent the agency a letter outlining their “united opposition” to proposed requirements for wheelchair-accessible service.

Together the group comprises the entire sector of for-hire-vehicle operators, who pick up passengers through app requests or phone calls, not street hails.

Crain’s New York Business article here

Keywords

ADA vehicles black car market Lyft New York City New York operators New York Taxi & Limousine Commission taxis TNCs Uber

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Windy City Lines Up New Top Management

CHICAGO — George Jacobs, CEO of Windy City Limousine and Bus, on Aug. 18 announced some high-profile promotions within his company:

Kathy Kahne promoted from vice-president to president.
Tracy Raimer, former owner of the CTG Group and Your Private Limousine, named executive vice president.
Jerold Bean, former director of sales and special events, promoted to vice president of sales and marketing.

Jacobs described their professional experience and new roles. Jacobs said he will retain the title of CEO and still be intimately involved with the daily operations of the company as before.

“Kathy Kahne is well known within the industry and has been with me since 2000 when we were at Carey together,” Jacobs said in a press release. “She has made it her goal to learn about this business, look ahead toward the future, and keep Windy City abreast of new technology, all the while overseeing spectacular growth. She attends all Industry events, and has even been a speaker at some. She belongs to an industry owner’s group, and is hands on in all facets. I could not be prouder of her and she richly deserves this honor.”

<p>New Windy City Executive Vice President Tracy Raimer (photo courtesy of Windy City)</p>

“Tracy Raimer is someone I have known since her infancy in this industry,” Jacobs said. “She came to me 20 years ago for mentoring. After a couple of years, she has flown on her own, developing her own company, YPL, and ultimately putting together a co-operative corporation made up of various companies like Northshore Limousine, Deerbrook Limousine, YPL, and others. It felt like she was coming home when we recently merged all of those companies into our operation. Tracy is very sharp and will bring great new ideas to Windy City as well as reviewing our current structure to see where we can get better.”

“Jerold Bean made his mark in Chicago for 15 years as a manager of destination management companies (DMCs), and meetings and incentive houses,” Jacobs said. “He was actually a client of Windy City Limousine. Ten years ago we wooed him over to come work for us and he dramatically changed the landscape of this company. We became the go-to company for DMCs as they have become a huge part of our culture. When we lost a sales manager some years back, Jerold volunteered to add that to his workload. He has done a great job and he will help get us to the next level.”

About Windy City Limousine and Bus Worldwide
Windy City, founded in 2004, has grown into the sixth largest chauffeured transportation company, according to the 2017 LCT 50 Largest Fleets List. In 2016, it won the LCT Operator of the Year Award in the largest fleet vehicle category. The company has been featured numerous times in industry media, and most recently Jacobs appeared on the July cover of LCT Magazine. Windy City has been on the INC 500/5000 list six times, and has been recognized as the Best Transportation Company in Illinois eight times, including seven in a row. Jacobs was Entrepreneur of the Year in 1992 and a finalist 24 years later. Windy City, with a fleet of more than 200 sedans and 130 buses, has two key partnerships with TranSports, a leading sports transportation company and First Class App, soon to go nationwide. Windy City partners with the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, PGA, NBA, MLB, and many Fortune 500 Companies.

Keywords

Chicago operators executive changes George Jacobs hiring Illinois operators Windy City Limousine

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New Online Limo Service Brokerage Offers Discounted Rides

<p>OneWayLimo's pitch to affiliates (image courtesy of OneWayLimo)</p>

SHELTON, Conn. — OneWayLimo.com (OWL) has started offering its services as a luxury transportation brokerage company along the East Coast to rave reviews. Since it started in 2015, the service has brought together satisfied affiliates and customes, the company said in an Aug. 8 press release.

OneWayLimo, based in Shelton, is a luxury transportation brokerage company serving all major cities on the East Coast. It offers a web application for consumers to access a network of professional, licensed, and insured drivers for black cars to and from the airport, weddings or other events.

For its affiliates, OneWayLimo fills unused seats and rides. It helps operators minimize idle time and gain more paid fares that translates to more revenue and business growth.

One user wrote: “We have used One Way Limo around 10 times and it has always been top notch from the quality of its vehicles to the courteous professional drivers. We fly up from Florida to visit family in Connecticut and each time we receive emails as to the driver’s name and vehicle. After picking up luggage we contact the driver and he tells us where to meet them. They have always provided a great experience. Highly recommend.”

OneWayLimo brings customers discounts of 30% to 50% off market rates on luxury black car transportation by working with local companies to compare quotes. One satisfied customer wrote: “I used OneWayLimo both to and from the Greensboro airport. Both drivers were above and beyond accommodating with my wheelchair. The service was prompt, very affordable and easy to schedule. I will use OneWayLimo every time I travel from now on.”

Another wrote: “We have used OneWayLimo every time we go away. I was always impressed by how clean the cars were and how nice the drivers were. But when we were delayed for over four hours, the driver followed the flight and was right there and was so kind. Every time we used OneWayLimo, the drivers have been just great. I highly recommend your company to my friends and family, who have then used your company, and had a good experience also.”

Information: www.onewaylimo.com