Blacklane Links With Groundspan For Better Booking Options

LONDON — Blacklane announced Feb. 22 it has integrated its chauffeured service app platform with Groundspan, enabling business travelers to access Blacklane across more than 50 countries, 250 cities, and 500 airports worldwide.

Berlin-based Blacklane follows a strict duty-of-care philosophy and only works with commercially licensed and insured affiliates.

Groundspan is a ground transportation automation and management platform for thousands of companies to use its global reservation system to manage employee transportation and reduce costs.

A key benefit is its integration with many of the largest corporate travel booking engines, such as:

• Concur Travel
• Sabre GetThere
• Sabre Red
• Travelport Smartpoint for Apollo and Galileo
• Travelport Smartpoint for Worldspan

“Business travelers desire more trusted providers in ground transportation,” said Tony Bonanno, president of Groundspan, in a statement. “Groundspan bridges that gap for these travelers and the vendors they seek.”

Travelers and travel managers who use the Groundspan tools can now access Blacklane for their worldwide trips. Blacklane offers:

• Guaranteed, all-inclusive fixed rates. All taxes, tolls, fees, tips or surges are included in the rates and known in advance. Blacklane’s fares are a fraction of the cost of legacy limousine services.
• A fully integrated travel experience by adding airport transfers to flight and hotel reservations.
• Instant booking confirmations.
• Free driver waiting time: one hour at airport and train station pick-ups and 15 minutes at all other pickup locations.
• Customer-friendly policies, such as free cancellations until one hour before pick-up for transfers.
• Real-time flight tracking and automatic adjustment of pickup times according to the actual arrival times.
• Driver contact information sent over text and email one hour before pick-up. 
• 24/7 multi-lingual customer service and real-time service control.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for business travelers to book reliable transfers worldwide,” said Sascha Meskendahl, chief revenue officer of Blacklane. “Groundspan is the link between corporate travel tools and Blacklane’s quality service, fair rates, and straightforward policies.”

About Blacklane: Blacklane is a global professional driver service that offers fixed and all-inclusive rates. Its state-of-the-art systems and a multi-lingual 24/7 customer service team coordinate tens of thousands of quality cars in real time. Clients can schedule rides on its website, mobile apps, or via distribution and channel partners.

About Groundspan: Groundspan is an innovative ground transportation technology company focused on developing an ecosystem for booking and managing global ground transportation services part of the corporate travel itinerary. Groundspan focuses on developing applications to easily book reservations for executive sedan, limousines, van, taxi and SUVs. Groundspan’s proprietary ecosystem enables a corporate employee an efficient way to view, compare, and book ground-related services. Groundspan offers its ground travel management solutions through its relationships with major online travel booking portals, corporate travel departments, and major travel agencies across all major GDSs. Information: www.Groundspan.com; info@groundspan.com.

Source: Groundspan press release

Related LCT article: Addison Lee Adds Groundspan Booking Tools

Keywords

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How To Read And Respond To Corporate Travel Buyers

How connected are you to your corporate travel managers, destination management company executives, and other travel and hospitality transportation planners who send business your way?

“We all use buzz words like ‘cultivating the relationship’ but the truth is, operators really need to stay connected and listen to their corporate buyers to continue to earn their business,” says Dana Devine, a veteran corporate event planner and special operations expert.

Open Lines

Devine emphasizes today more than ever operators need to keep the communication channel wide open because of the changing face of the travel and event industries.

“The stakeholders are changing due to more diversity in the workforce and Millennials taking over from the old guard,” Devine says. “You need to get in there to tell them what you’re all about, what new services and amenities you offer, what technologies you are using, and tell them what your business model will look like in the years ahead.”

Although telling your story and staying in touch with your travel managers is just good business practice, delivering impeccable service is crucial to maintaining your business relationships.

Mira Rosenzweig, director of Travel Services for KBB Partners, a New York City company that manages travel services for major global professional service firms, contracts with “asset heavy” transportation companies that own and operate cars, have global reach through affiliates, and abide by a strict set of rules. She says her corporate executive clients expect the highest level of service.

Although Rosenzweig’s company serves high-end corporate clients, her insight into private transportation service can benefit operators of all sizes who may need a reality check to reinforce what they expect and what they actually sometimes experience.

“Proper insurance, background checks, and random drug testing — not just on the first day of work — are all requirements, including their affiliates,” Rosenzweig says. “We also require drivers to sign non-disclosure agreements because our clients are bankers, finance executives, and lawyers who are working in the back of the car on their cellphones. We won’t let them get into an Uber and we don’t work with operators who allow their drivers to work for Uber. We want professional chauffeurs because we want our clients to be safe.”

In addition, Rosenzweig expects her transportation providers to have the technologies for seamless billing (“I don’t want to see a spreadsheet that has errors”) and also have the ability to collect and pass on data during the ride on vehicle locations and arrival times. “In New York, it can take 20 minutes to go around the block, so if the driver alerts the client he is up the street, or stuck in traffic, he can walk a block to the car. Time is money for our clients.”

For Devine, the basics should be a “no brainer” for operators. “From a liability standpoint and duty of care, we need to work with reputable transportation companies that have the proper insurance, registered vehicles, knowledgeable drivers, and are safety conscious. It’s the duty of care that we are responsible to provide to our clients.”

Pet Peeves

“If something goes wrong with the transportation service for my clients, they look at me as the one at fault,” says Carri Tovsky, president of Global Tour Connection, a Philadelphia, Pa.-based destination management company.

Tovsky points out small things can add up to jeopardize a transportation contract. “We notice if a bus is dirty or a driver is friendly or not and has a sloppy appearance. Remember, the driver is the first point of contact our clients have with our transportation service, so it reflects on us,” she notes. “I’ve seen drivers wearing old black suits with dandruff on their shoulders who just finished smoking or eating, or scribbling a name on a piece of paper at an airport pickup. That shows they don’t care. I even had one driver who said he didn’t know where he was supposed to go out loud in front of clients. They should never speak in front of clients like that.”

Rosenzweig adds, “One of the hardest things is communicating with dispatch. We know things can go wrong because there are so many variables with car service — an accident, snowstorm, flat tire, or even a passenger telling the driver to take another route and the driver gets blamed if late, etc. But we need dispatch to keep us informed of problems.”

One particular and important pet peeve Rosenzweig points out is when chauffeurs don’t review client profiles before the pickup. “If the client likes seltzer water instead of bottled water, it should be provided, or if the client prefers to open his own door, or if the client has a problem with a trainee sitting in the passenger seat, or if a client wants to be picked up at an airport departure gate because it’s faster to exit, the chauffeur has to know these things because our clients are paying for, and expect, customized service.”

Rosenzweig stresses it’s important for chauffeurs to know how to “read” people, so if they want to chat, fine, if not, they should understand that and be quiet.

When managing ground transportation for a large event, Devine is all about pre-planning to make sure all goes smoothly. For example, she notes an example where she was contracted to manage a week-long event in Florida for CEOs from all over the world.

“I negotiated a transportation contract with a New York-based limousine company sales guy. The problem is the guy in New York who sounds great is done with it once the contract is signed. The person I needed to be handed off to is one who will be on site servicing the event in Florida. That’s the person I need to talk to, to make sure it’s their top guy and we establish a relationship because I can’t afford to have a bad experience with a high-level event.”

Tech & Personal Service

Devine reinforced the growing importance of limousine companies using technology to work with corporate travel managers. Understanding the competition from on-demand TNCs, she advises operators having a mobile app is important, not so much to compete with TNCs, “but for last-minute travel arrangements and for contingency planning.” 

“We need to know that so we can go to our clients and let them know we have backup if something goes wrong. Sure, on-demand isn’t your business model, but it’s a good selling point if you provide it. This way, you’re on our radar if needed,” she says.

Rosenzweig adds, “I have noticed more limousine companies using more technology in 2016 — mobile apps, text messaging alerts, onboard data collection, billing — and they need to educate corporate travel managers about new services they offer because it makes a difference. It shows they are keeping up with the travel industry and our clients.”

Devine cautions, “Technology is great, but I see a shift back to personal service. Sure, I can go on to a website, fill out a form, and book a ride, but I think people want that personal contact, that personal service. For example, when I call with a problem, I don’t want to suffer through nine prompts. I need one phone number and one contact to deal with and take care of the problem.” 

— Tom@LCTmag.com

Editor’s Note: Dane Devine and Carri Tovsky participated in a panel session (Corporate Travel Manager: Panel: Meet the Buyers) held Nov. 14, 2016 at LCT-NLA Show East in Atlantic City.

Keywords

business travel   client markets   corporate business   corporate travel   customer service   

 

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Hero Chauffeur Lends A Hand After Major Crash

WEST HAVEN, Conn. — When avoiding collisions, chauffeurs must be able to think fast and react even faster. On the early morning of Feb. 10, Andrew Okoski, a chauffeur working for Hy’s Limousine Worldwide Transportation, was driving a pregnant woman to JFK airport when they narrowly avoided a snowplow and truck crashing on the Van Wyck Expressway. Thanks to his actions, they managed to not be the third vehicle in the accident…but that’s not the end of the story.

Okoski didn’t just save her life, but also one of the driver’s involved in the accident as well.  “While my first thought was to save my limo and client, I wanted to make sure the other two drivers were safe,” he says. After ensuring the plow driver was awake and alert, he walked over to the truck driver and noticed he was unconscious.

After going back to get the plow driver to help him, both worked to rescue the other driver. “There was diesel leaking all over the place,” Okoski explains. “I broke the glass of the windshield of the truck, cut his seatbelt off, pulled him out, and dragged him as far away from the vehicle as quickly as possible because we weren’t sure if it was going to explode.”

Okoski waited for the passed out driver to come to, told him to have a good rest of his day, and left with his client to make it to the airport. Incredibly enough, she made her flight on time.

Before he became a chauffeur, Okoski served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a taxi driver; he’s been working for Hy’s Limousine for about a year and a half. When asked what made him go back for the other drivers, he says, “I guess some of [my military training] is still inside of me.”

Matt Levine, the owner of the company, said he wasn’t made aware of the situation until way after the fact, which he says is a credit to Okoski.

“What really amazes me is you don’t think many chauffeurs would go out of their way to do something like this,” Levine says. “We only found out about it because the dispatcher was aware of the accident. When [Okoski] came back, he didn’t say much, so we didn’t really think anything of it. However, when we contacted the client to make sure everything was alright, she was the one who alerted us to what happened. It’s very possible he saved that man’s life.”

While Levine believes many operators think finding and retaining good chauffeurs is a difficult part of the job, he says this event reveals some are really amazing people.

Keywords

accidents   chauffeur behavior   chauffeur profiles   Connecticut operators   Lexi Tucker   Matt Levine   WebXclusive   

 

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Towne Livery Embraces The New Continental In Movie Trailer

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — For the last three years, industry vehicle seller David Bastian has challenged himself to promote his dealership and the industry’s top trade show in an entertaining way.

Just released Feb. 22 is his latest creative attempt, a mock movie trailer with a brief storyline about embracing the new 2017 Lincoln Continental sedan while invoking the International LCT Show theme of “Embrace The New.”

The video was professionally shot by movie director-producer Peter McGennis, head of Galora productions, who does TV ads for Towne Livery where Bastian works as commercial sales manager.

In the video, the Continental talks to Bastian about embracing the new and ditching his typical routine. It’s an apt illustration of how the chauffeured transportation industry has awaited a luxury sedan it can be as excited about as the former Lincoln Town Car, retired in 2011.

“Look how many operators have bought the Continental in last six months,” Bastian told LCT. “It’s the hottest vehicle in the industry. The car in many ways does talk to you, even if you’re not ready to buy one. It’s new, modern, and tremendous for the industry.”

While the Continental has captured the industry’s devotion, the Lincoln MKT Town Car, a crossover model that debuted to the industry in 2012, still attracts robust sales, Bastian said. In fact, MKT sales have been increasing of late.

“There were people in 2012 who did embrace the new when a sedan was replaced with crossover, but there was a big part of market that didn’t embrace it,” Bastian said. “Those people found other products to buy. What I’m seeing is people who left are coming back now and embracing the new product because this is more of what they had in mind for their business. There are just people who have a need for the sedan.”

“There is still a strong niche market for the MKT,” Bastian said. “The Continental has not eliminated the MKT. It just speaks to a different crowd.”

Co-starring in the video, partly shot at Bastian’s home, is his pet dog, Ella, a Chihuahua mix. Ella has been on camera before when featured locally on a news story and her journey to Buffalo. The Bastian family adopted her after she was rescued from West Virginia.

Special Offer: Lincoln Limousine & Livery Vehicles is offering $1,000 show cash to interested buyers of the 2015-2017 MY Lincoln MKT, MKS or Lincoln Continental, from Feb. 20 — April 3. Attendees who test drive the Continental at the Show received a free Lincoln umbrella, while attendees visiting the Ford/Lincoln exhibit can get a free drawn portrait. 

RELATED LCT ARTICLE: Towne Livery An Evangelist For The Lincoln Continental

Keywords

David Bastian   dealerships   ILCT 2017   limo tradeshows   Lincoln   Lincoln MKT   Lincoln-Continental   Towne Livery   video   

 

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Vini Bergeman, Stretch Builder, Was An Industry Original

LONG BEACH, Calif. — More than 400 mourners and friends gathered in a standing room only aircraft hangar Feb. 18 to bid farewell to Vini “Big Daddy” Bergeman, the founder and owner of the 1980s-1990s era Ultra Coachbuilders which propelled him to the title of “King of Limousines.”

Bergeman, whose Bronx-meets-Southern California persona matched the exotic and dynamic stretch limousines he built, died Jan. 31, 2017 at a hospital in Placentia, Calif., from an illness. Born on Jan. 30, 1951, he had just turned 66 years old the day before his death.

It was only appropriate and obvious that Bergeman would be buried in a casket molded into a replica of a red classic 1950 Mercury Coupe made by Cruisin Caskets. 

OFFICIAL OBITUARY HERE

Bergeman was one of the original custom stretch limousine coachbuilders who defined the modern day limo industry, and rode to prominence customizing stretches and luxury vehicles for a long roster of entertainment celebrities and VIPs. He inspired or mentored several other prominent Southern California limousine manufacturers still in business today, including Ed Grech of Krystal Koach stretch limousine fame and now owner of Riverside-based Grech Motors; Dominick Vitelli, Bergeman’s nephew and owner of Quality Coachworks in Ontario; and Bill Alden, founder of Tiffany Coachworks in Corona.

“Vini was the creator of what is known to be the stretched limousine,” Grech told LCT. “His creativity and designs are unmatched. He has truly earned the title ‘The King of Limousines.’”

Throughout the limousine industry and to the wider non-industry general public, Bergeman was known for constructing the world’s longest limousine. His creation, a 1997 36-passenger, 66-1/2 foot long white Lincoln limousine, made it into the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street legal vehicle in the world, according to Bergeman’s profile on www.coachbuilt.com. The monster limousine cost $1.8 million and was built for Sheik Hamad Bin Hamdan Al-Nahayan of the United Arab Emirates for use when he visited the U.S., the site reports. The limousine is in two pieces with a hitch in the middle to bend around corners. The rear compartment behind the hitch was built to be detachable, so when the sheik was not entertaining he could enjoy a normal 30-foot limousine.

Among the many clients of Ultra Coachbuilder’s “over-the-top” customized, radical, unique, edgy stretch limousines were Sylvester Stallone and Tommy Lasorda, according to his funeral biography. He also created two major projects for Disney, the LiMOUSEine and the MOUSEORAIL. Bergeman and partner Kraig Kavanagh also built exotic cars for Hollywood studios, including a few genuinely extravagant limousines.

Because Bergeman cut a unique character as “Big Daddy,” it drew the attention of TV producers in the 1990s and early 2000s, landing Vini reality roles on such shows as Monster Garage and American Casino, and as the cab driver in the 1990 movie “Nerds of a Feather.” He reached the height of his entertainment career in 2004 with his reality TV show, The Kustomizer, that drew on his vast custom vehicle experience, not only with stretch limousines but motorcycles as well. Along with his stretch-building, Bergeman applied his talents to a company called Ultra Kustom Cycles where he created the “Big Bike,” a 20-foot tall replica of a Harley Davidson.

In an October 2004 article for the former Limousine Digest magazine, industry writer and current LCT contributing editor Jim Luff wrote “The Kustomizer is about 50 percent customization and 50 percent Big Daddy. When you think he has done it all, he comes up with something new and wacky.”

“’I just got done building a surfboard that goes 45 miles per hour,’ laughs Big Daddy. ‘I hurt my ribs riding it. It has a (purpose built) motor that lays on its side.’ Although the first episodes stretch a limousine and build a motorcycle, The Kustomizer will not be limited to stretching the conventional. ‘The next episode might be a house or a boat,’ explains Big Daddy.”

“In addition to meeting Big Daddy’s crew, the audience is invited to tour a Big Daddy crib, which is as over the top as he is. At 20,000 square feet, the palatial mansion sits on a California hilltop. The living room alone could house a few families. Audiences also get the privilege of going into Big Daddy’s bedroom, but we need to keep some surprises for when you watch the show.”

“The first brand new limo we bought at Limousine Scene came from Ultra,” recalled Jim Luff. “Vini pushed the envelope on size, amenities, and style in the 90s with beautiful interiors that simply wowed people when they opened the door and looked in. He was a pioneer in the use of lighting and mirrors to create dazzling effects.”

Beginnings
According to his funeral biography, Bergeman was born in Bronx, N.Y, the son of Carl and Rae Bergeman. He learned how to work on cars at a trade school, and as a child he would customize model cars, taking rims from one model and putting them on another. He developed a common practice of making a car look chopped by taking a section out of the roof.

As a young man, he followed his first wife and son, Vincent, out to Southern California in 1971 to pursue a career in vehicle customizing. He found work as a body shop man and honed his customizing skills.

According to Coachbuilt.com: “In the ‘trick car’ business, Bergeman’s Kolor Me Kustom company mostly ‘built studio stuff,’ he says. Similar to others who were curious about these things, one day in the late 1970s, he ‘just decided to build limos.’ The first car was already longer than anyone else’s, he says, which he built ‘to fit more people, just to goof around.’ From there, however, Bergeman proceeded literally to extend the limits of the limousine.”

His nephew, Dominick Vitelli, remembers those days well. “My Uncle Vini convinced me to move out to California at 17 to work with him at his start-up Ultra Limousine,” Vitelli told LCT. “While working there for 13 years, he taught me from the ground-up about coach building and this knowledge would later result in me owning my own business. It was exciting working for him in the 1980s, especially because the limousine industry was just starting to evolve. We took on a multitude of projects that pushed the boundaries of creativity. I consider him my mentor.”

Bergeman’s funeral service was held Feb. 18 at Guidestone Church in Buena Park, and he was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress. A gathering of family and friends followed at the hangar in Long Beach.

Bergeman is survived by his sons Vincent Bergeman, born in 1969, and Anthony Bergeman, born in 1984; brother Carl T. Bergeman; sister Maryanne Vitelli, her sons Dominick Vitelli and Marty Vitelli, who is a sales representative at Grech Motors; and many more family and friends.

Memorial donations in Bergeman’s honor can be made to The Teen Project, 8140 Sunland Blvd., Sun Valley, Calif., 91352.

“He took the small cars and made them longer, and it changed the whole industry,” Vitelli said.

LCT PHOTO GALLERY: Funeral Scenes & Ultra Limousines

1986: ULTRA LIMOUSINE LIMOUSINE & CHAUFFEUR MAGAZINE PROFILE

1984: VINI BERGEMAN L&C PROFILE

Keywords

custom coachbuilders   custom limousines   custom stretches   deaths   history of the limo industry   memorial   obituary   Ultra Coach   Vini Bergeman   

 

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Addison Lee Adds Groundspan Booking Tools

Groundspan, a  ground transportation automation and management platform, announced Feb. 22 a new content partnership with Addison Lee.

Now global corporate clients, TMCs, and corporate online booking tools will have access to book Addison Lee group company services globally through the Groundspan booking platform and partnerships.

Addison Lee is Europe’s largest executive car service with operations in the UK, across Europe, US, and Asia. The Group, which includes Tristar and Flyte Tyme, can now offer existing and future global clients Groundspan’s content rich platform, and can be booked through GDS systems, TMCs, and corporate online booking tools such as Concur Travel. These additional channels will help customers ensure they are applying their ground transport spend more efficiently while complying with their own booking policies. 

Groundspan is exclusively focused on the development of applications for the automation of ground transportation bookings and expense reporting. The platform brings together agencies, corporate travelers, and ground transportation companies to create a marketplace accessible from anywhere and at any time.  

“We’re delighted to be part of Groundspan’s global platform. It’s another route for our current and future clients to access a credible, secure, centralized booking option that meets their needs for efficiency, reliability, and consistency” said Andy Boland, CEO of Addison Lee.

“We are excited to now enable our clients in the U.K., Europe, Asia, and North America to use the Groundspan booking and management platform to have access to our global transportation services,” said Tim Rose, CEO of Addison Lee North America.

Tony Bonanno, President of Groundspan, said, “Many corporate travelers are booking with transportation network companies (TNCs) and non-vetted vendors because of the lack of alternative technologies that maximize the use of their corporate preferred vendors globally. The Groundspan tools can give travelers access to their preferred corporate vendors globally, making consistency of service, pricing, and ease of billing a reality. Having Addison Lee on our platform will give a large group of global bookers a vendor they have been asking for.” 

About Addison Lee: Founded in Battersea, U.K., in 1975, Addison Lee is Europe’s largest private hire company. Addison Lee offers a full range of Premier, VIP, chauffeur services, international delivery services, couriers, and executive coaches.

With a fleet of 5,000 vehicles, Addison Lee uses bespoke auto allocator software, offering an average pick up time of four minutes in Central London with a fulfilment rate of over 99%. The new and improved Addison Lee app has been designed to make getting around easier — the revolutionary ‘snooze’ function means if your meeting runs over, you won’t miss your ride home.

Addison Lee has won 12 business awards and numerous environmental awards including the 2015 Green Fleet Award for Private Hire/Taxi Company of the Year and a 2016 International Safety Council Award.

About GroundspanSM: Groundspan is an innovative ground transportation technology company focused on developing an ecosystem for booking and managing global ground transportation services which are an integral part of the corporate travel itinerary. Groundspan focuses on developing applications to easily book reservations for executive sedan, limousines, van, taxi, and airport parking. Groundspan’s unique and proprietary ecosystem enables a corporate employee an efficient way to view, compare, and book ground related services. Groundspan offers its ground travel management solutions through its relationships with major online travel booking portals, corporate travel departments, and major travel agencies across all major GDS’s.  Groundspan is a neutral global ground distribution system which provides corporations access to their contracted and non-contracted fulfillment providers. More information on Groundspancan be found at http://ift.tt/1qGPr5Q

Source: Groundspan/Addison Lee press release

Related LCT article: Addison Lee Buys Flyte Tyme To Boost American Presence

Keywords

Addison Lee   apps   business deals   business partnerships   Flyte Tyme   Groundspan   mergers & acquisitions   mobile applications   on-demand service   United Kingdom   

 

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Florida Associations Fight For Level Playing Field

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Florida Limousine Association(FLA) President Rick Versace has 11 different decals on his vehicles in order to do business in the corridor stretching along Florida’s Southeast coast. “It costs me thousands of dollars for registration with various municipalities and ancillary fees,” said Versace, owner of A1A Airport & Limousine Service in Boca Raton.

That’s burdensome enough, but what really makes Versace irate is proposed legislation swirling around Tallassee that would allow TNCs to operate anywhere in the state free of any local or county registration or fees. “The bill will supersede any local regulations in the state and allow TNCs to operate in all 67 counties by just registering with the state,” he explained.

The bill (House Bill 221), by a 21-1 vote passed the House Government Accountability Committee, Tuesday, Feb. 21, paving the way for a House floor vote (a companion bill is in the Senate, but no movement as of yet).

The bill does establish minimum insurance requirements ($50,000 for death or bodily injury/$100,000 per incident), level one background checks (no fingerprinting), and vehicle and driver registration with the state.

Versace said the FLA is working on a strategy to counter the bill, but commented he foresees issues at airports where TNCs (without any vehicle identification) can run wild, while limousine companies can get a fine up to $2,000 for being in the wrong zone. “Maybe we all should just declare ourselves TNCs because we all use apps and just skip all the regulations and fees (a source of revenue for municipalities that will be lost) I really don’t think [legislators] know what they are doing,” he said.

Central Florida Association Makes Headway

Central Florida Livery Association (CFLA) President Wendy Kleefisch (Brevard Executive Limousine) was named to the Port Canaveral Authority Advisory Board.

Her appointment bodes well for regional operators who now have an industry representative seated on the board that can ensure industry concerns are addressed at the rapidly growing port.

“Port Canaveral is now the largest port in the U. S. with seven cruise ships servicing 350,000 passengers, and is growing,” said Kleefisch. Issues such as port, registration, and in-out fees, TNC fairness, and other rules and regulations are top of mind with Kleefisch regarding private ground transportation.

Rental Limo / Book.limo CEO Named To Group Board

In other news, the CFLA, which launched in 2016, has seen increasing membership and named its first vendor member to the Board of Directors. Ryan Hilberth, CEO of St. Petersburg-based Rental Limo was unanimously elected to the board.

Kleefisch noted Hilberth’s addition as a vendor director is an “initiative to build up CFLA benefits for members, while also improving CFLA membership as a whole.”

Said Hilberth, “I am honored and elated for the opportunity to serve the CFLA by providing leadership, valuable feedback, and added value to members.”

Keywords

central florida livery association   FLA   Florida Limousine Association   Florida operators   limo associations   Rental Limo   Rick Versace   Ryan Hilberth   state regulations   TNCs   Wendy Kleefisch   

 

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Fast 40 To Hold Roundtable Session At ILCT Show

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Are you an operator under 40 years old who is looking to discuss the future of the luxury ground transportation industry with peers of a similar age? Will you be at the International LCT Show on Tuesday, March 14?

If so, you won’t want to miss the Fast 40 Roundtable starting at 5 p.m. in Lando 4202. Moderators Lexi Tucker, LCT assistant editor, and Olivia Moody, LCT sales & marketing manager, will be in attendance to help guide discussions.

Haven’t bought your tickets to the Show yet? Click here to register NOW! The Fast 40 Roundtable is free with your Show pass.

The event requires no invitation; just be sure to bring lots of business cards to pass out to other attendees and to Lexi and Olivia so they can add you to the group’s mailing list to keep you informed of upcoming Fast 40 events at future Shows.This hour long session will provide you with a chance to meet with other young operators to share your concerns, ideas, and ambitions with.

For more information about the Fast 40, contact Lexi Tucker at lexi@lctmag.com. You can also like the Facebook page and join the LinkedIn group.

Keywords

casinos   ILCT 2017   industry education   industry events   Las Vegas   LCT Events   LCTFast40   Lexi Tucker   Millennials   

 

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TEMSA Introduces the Enhanced TS 35E at UMA Expo 2016

TEMSA TS 35E at the UMA Expo in Atlanta, Ga.
Atlanta — TEMSA Global, along with its exclusive U.S. distributor CH Bus Sales, recently introduced the newly enhanced TS 35E midsize coach at the United Motorcoach Expo (UMA) in Atlanta, Ga. The unveiling took place at a press conference on February 2, and included a first-order presentation to Royal Excursion of South Bend, Ind.

Robert Foley, president and CEO of CH Bus Sales, led the press conference by explaining the company’s competitive advantage in the midsize market with the best-selling TS 35 model. Foley shared that the new TS 35E model “exemplifies the tremendous success we’ve had with the 35-foot coach and our new E will be able to provide the same advantages it is known for, but with some more modern enhancements and upgrades.”

Next, Tim Vaught, vice president of sales, service, and product development, and Ibrahim Eserce, research & development/after-sales services director, took the stage to describe the specific product development and enhanced features of the new TS 35E model. Vaught acknowledged that a product committee made up of CH and TEMSA representatives and operators played an important role in integrating the wants and needs of the operators into the enhanceddesign. Eserce then described the exciting new enhancements on the TS 35E coach, including an updated and modern look to the front face and rear door, new styling in the entryway with added LED tread lighting on the steps, new overhead reading lights, and enclosed parcel racks. The vehicle’s driver ergonomics is improved with an enlarged driver area (increased by four inches), updated ergonomic buttons, and an updated dashboard cover. Improving the serviceability of the coach was a large factor in the vehicle enhancement and is accomplished with a three-piece front bumper, three-piece rear engine door, stacked alternators, and 315 size tires.

Duane Geiger, executive vice president of CH Bus Sales recognized Shannon Kaser, owner and president of Royal Excursion, as taking the first order of the TS 35E coach. Kaser shared that his commitment came from “the success we’ve had with the other TS 35 and TS 45 TEMSA models and the great support from CH Bus Sales on the after-sales side.”

Visit chbussales.com for more information.

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Your Private Limo Earns Women’s Business Enterprise Certification

YPL Founder and ILA President Tracy Raimer
Buffalo Grove, Ill — Your Private Limo (YPL) has recently been recognized as a majority woman-owned business by Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Tracy Raimer, founder and president, has owned YPL for 20 years. She is also the president of the Illinois Limousine Association.

Recognition by WBENC is highly sought-after. A WBENC-certified Women’s Business Enterprise is a U.S. business that is managed and operated by a woman with industry experience and is at least 51 percent owned by a woman. According to WBENC.com, WBENC Certification gives women owned businesses the ability to compete for real-time business opportunities provided by WBENC Corporate Members and government agencies.

For Raimer, achieving WBENC certification was an important strategic move as well as recognition of her years in the industry. She started her own limo company in 1996 as sole driver for one vehicle while working two other jobs. Before long, the company grew tremendously, and now offers a full complement of vehicles, from sedans to luxury motor coaches and specialty vehicles. YPL also prioritizes cutting-edge technology to give clients a seamless and safe travel experience. Raimer is excited to realize the possibilities that the WBENC certification will provide YPL as well as its clients.

“In today’s marketplace, transporting from point A to point B is not going to suffice,” she said. “I believe we truly need to partner with our clients on several different levels of service.  Offering WBENC certification becomes an asset for our clients, who can then provide this opportunity to subcontractors and affiliates seeking minority companies for their second tier spend.”

Visit yourprivatelimo.com for more information.

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Deem Announces Acquisition of Whisk

Deem Founder and CEO Patrick Grady
San Francisco — Industry technology provider Deem announced today that it has acquired ride-sharing company Whisk, which developed Ridgeback, a back-office solution for ground transportation operators. Deem now offers complete, end-to-end technology solutions for chauffeured and professional car service operators, from Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) back-office software to mobile reservations and ride closeout.

The acquisition will help strengthen Deem’s suite of operator applications, a now complete technology solution for operators including back-office capabilities, mobile and online reservations, and ride dispatch—in both advance and real time—as well as access to one of the largest network of professional, fully-licensed fleets and drivers in the world. According to Deem Founder and CEO Patrick Grady, is “is evidence of our commitment to helping this industry evolve sooner rather than later.”

“I met with NLA President Gary Buffo back in February of last year, and he openly challenged the company’s commitment to this industry,” Grady said. “He was concerned about the industry being technologically disadvantaged, relying on software technologies that are often 15 or 20 years old, which is a significant competitive disadvantage in terms of operating your business efficiently in general. It is a much more acute issue in light of the advantages that companies like Uber, Lyft, and others now possess.”

Whisk’s capabilities were designed to provide the ground transportation industry with the technology and tools to modernize the services they were providing in order to remain competitive in today’s transportation economy. Operators using Whisk have not only reduced costs, but they have significantly increased operational efficiency, loyalty from their drivers, and overall customer satisfaction with its simple and intuitive experiences. Their integration will advance the features and capabilities of the applications in the Deem suite, rapidly accelerating Deem’s roadmap.

“Deem is a recognized pioneer in SaaS technology and our bar for SaaS platforms and applications is extremely high. When we met the team at Whisk we had an instant mind-meld on the industry’s needs and were struck by Whisk’s depth and quality. Their core CalTech-educated developers are among the best we’ve worked with,” said Grady. “Whisk’s one-of-a-kind, SaaS back-office will augment and accelerate our suite, making it more powerful for both chauffeured and black car operators, and Whisk’s mobile technologies will help Deem deliver next generation applications that will delight passengers and increase driver loyalty. We are thrilled to welcome the Whisk team to the Deem family.”

Both Grady and Whisk co-founder Ram Trichur agree that chauffeured transportation is a final frontier of sorts in terms of industries that can be aided from an overhaul of its technological landscape.

“The ground transportation market is the last industry we have found that hasn’t benefited from the global shift from software to SaaS. The power of SaaS technology is overwhelmingly clear—rapid deployment, reduced IT and business process costs, access to continuous innovation, business process agility and more. It is essential that we get our customers on a modern platform,” Grady said.

“The original mission of Whisk was to offer innovative services for ground transportation operators and riders while upholding the letter and spirit of public safety regulations,” added Trichur. “Deem’s relationships with hundreds of leading chauffeured operators, commitment to delivering duty-of-care, and proven track record of working with industry partners and operators alike to build the best technology solutions for every party involved mirrored our own and made it an easy conversation when we sat down with Patrick and his team.”

Visit deem.com for more information about the Car Service for Operators Suite.

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Tyson Launches TDC Training Specialists

TDC Founder Brett TysonWeymouth, Mass. — Company President Brett Tyson recently announced the launch of TDC Training Specialists as a full-service training and consulting business geared to help companies meet their goals.

Among the products offered by TDC is a comprehensive eLearning and quality control program that will present companies with a highly efficient and cost-effective strategy to have their employees deliver the desired service levels.

”Companies often have limited budgets for training and quality control,” said Tyson. “It was with these limited budgets in mind that we built a program that will absolutely give you what you need, and won’t need an inflated budget to get it done.”

Tyson’s background includes strategic roles with a number of chauffeured ground transportation firms, including Commonwealth Worldwide, Harrison Global, and A & A Metro. He has years of operational management and organizational development experience within the industry. Tyson has also been a speaker at the Chauffeur Driven Show and a contributing writer for the magazine.

“This is an exciting time for us, “said Tyson. “We are looking forward to working with the transportation industry and helping companies grow and meet their goals.”

Visit tysonconsulting.net for more information.

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Victory in Fight Against Mandatory Vehicle Retirement

New York — The Black Car Assistance Corporation has reported that, as of February 11, 2016, the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has suspended its enforcement, until further notice, of the rule specific to mandatory black car vehicle retirement. As you may know, back in April of 2008, the TLC adopted a set of new rules which included a black car vehicle retirement component.

The rules, which initially took effect in May 2008, addressed all vehicle model years, and were subsequently modified in 2015 to establish that black cars model year 2013 and newer would not be subject to any type of mandatory vehicle retirement. Black cars model year 2012 and below, however, would be subject to a uniform seven-year retirement structure.

The reasoning behind the proposed repeal of the 2008 requirement was that the market itself was the driving incentive for the constant upgrading of Black Cars due to consumers’ ever-increasing demand for high quality, safe and reliable vehicles; something we’ve known to be true of our industry since its inception.

In the following statement from the TLC, the upcoming City Council legislation is referenced as a main contributing factor to this wise decision. “In contemplation of the Council’s consideration of legislation that would discontinue the remaining mandatory retirement for vehicles 2012 and older, the TLC has suspended enforcement of this requirement until further notice.” 

BCAC President Berj Haroutunian was quick to issue the following statement. “It has long been a goal of the BCAC, and the black car industry as a whole, to do away with this rule. I believe I can speak for all industry members when I say that we are thankful that the TLC and NYC Council have agreed to hear our side on this matter; the TLC in particular for going the extra mile and suspending enforcement. They saw the potential negative implications, and they saw to it that it did not go any further in anticipation of the pending legislation. I’d like to extend a special thank you to the BCAC’s executive director, Ira Goldstein. Since day one he has been a strong advocate for our industry and was a crucial player in this deal.”

Had this agreement not been reached, the existing vehicle retirement rules would have required the purchase of many new vehicles at great expense, potentially leading to rate increases to share these increased costs with clients, and perhaps even resulting in lost ridership

Visit nybcac.org for more information.

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