TLPA
FAIR TAXICAB REGULATION AT WORK
BY
HAL MORGAN
TLPA DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
At
the Opening General Session of the TLPA Convention & Trade Show
in Boston, President Campolongo introduced the newest Taxicab, Limousine
& Paratransit Foundation (TLPF) video/DVD, “Fair Taxicab Regulation
at Work.”
The
purpose of the video is to promote fair taxicab regulation to better
taxicab service in every city. “Fair Taxicab Regulation at Work”
points out that city officials and passengers share the same goals when
it comes to taxi service:
- adequate
service to all areas and types of passengers
including seniors and those in residential neighborhoods;
- use of the latest technology to improve service;
- newer
cleaner cars that are well maintained;
- a reasonable wait before pick up;
- fair
and consistent rates; and
- safe,
dependable operators.
These
goals are achieved with effective regulation that does not randomly
issue permits, but instead supports full service cab companies using
independent contractor drivers.
Effective
regulation means that full service companies provide 24 hour service
and are capable of servicing the entire community. It means drivers
must service all dispatched trips where safety is not an issue, including
residential and short trips. It means limiting the number of vehicles
in operation and requiring insured vehicles be in good repair.
“Fair
Taxicab Regulation at Work” has a running time of ten minute,
and is intended for an audience of state and local officials, regulators
and the community to demonstrate the adverse effects of poor taxicab
regulation on the community and its citizens as well as the positive
effects of fair taxicab regulation.
Aside
from its obvious usefulness to regulators who are dealing with the adverse
effects of a poorly regulated taxi structure, it can be used by taxicab
companies to illustrate to their city officials the immense value of
a well regulated taxicab industry.
After
members had the opportunity to see the film, TLPF asked the Boston meeting
attendees to evaluate it. Following is a summary of the comments
that were received.
More
than 92 percent of those completing a survey form rated the video as
excellent or good. Some of the written comments were:
- It
is good - informative;
- Video
targets message well and stays “on message” well;
- An excellent image of the industry;
- Concise,
well-produced;
- It
was complete and concise and covered the imperfect aspects of why
regulations are necessary;
- Very
distinctively states the problems that full service taxi company faces
today;
- Eye catching, gets the message to the viewer;
- Great
tool to educate regulators;
- It
is a good representation of the benefits of a well thought out regulatory
environment;
- It was informative about industry concerns and challenges;
- It addresses the needs of taxis and the importance of regulation to
our industry.
When
asked, “Is improving the regulatory structure of the taxicab industry
in your area something that would benefit your company?” more
than 87 percent of those responding answered yes.
Comments
included the following:
- In
the field of regulating, improved regulations should benefit any company as
well as improve service to the riding public;
- Better structure and services allow the drivers to focus on what they
do best - drive.
Asked
if they thought that this video would be an effective tool in helping
persuade regulators to better regulate the taxi industry in their locality,
eighty-one percent of those responding said yes.
The
following comments were made:
- It
gives regulators a good view into the taxicab industry in a quick and
effective manner;
- It
puts a visual effect on what we have been saying for years in
our market;
- It
shows most of the common problems most have;
- Gets the point home on advantages of staying with full service providers.
“Fair
Taxicab Regulation at Work” will be sent at no charge to TLPA
operator companies who renew their 2006 taxicab division membership
by March 1 and or new taxicab members who join TLPA by the March 1 deadline.
TLPA/TLPF Katrina Relief Fund Update
In
September, TLPA sent the following to its members:
We
are all horrified by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. We
want to advise you of our plan to assist for-hire transportation companies
and the communities that have been impacted by this disaster. As has
been made abundantly clear, the damage is exceptionally severe and the
recovery period will be long and difficult.
Our
industry will be essential to the rebuilding effort. We know what the
media does not: that our industry provides essential public transportation
to people with low incomes, to businesspeople who initiate commerce,
to people who need non-emergency medical transportation for dialysis
and other treatments, to people with disabilities who are unable to
drive, and to many more who require our personalized level of service,
service that public transit cannot provide.
Given
that thousands of private vehicles have been ruined by the floodwaters,
the need for door to door transportation services will be even more
vital. Now, we want to facilitate the rebuilding of our industry in
the impacted region so that our industry at the regional, national and
international level is able to do its share in the recovery of the region
and the nation, as well as the world economy.
In
recognition of the vital role our industry plays in society and the
assistance that is so badly needed by our members and the general public
in that region, the Executive Committees of TLPA and TLPF voted to:
Establish
a TLPF/TLPF Katrina Disaster Relief Fund dedicated to:
A)
Assisting TLPA member companies impacted by Katrina and
B)
Contributing funds to well respected charities (American Red Cross, Bush-Clinton
Katrina Fund, The Salvation Army, etc.) that are funding recovery
assistance programs in the region.
TLPA
has completed its Katrina Relief fundraising efforts and has disbursed
the funds. The TLPF Katrina Disaster Relief fund dedicated to assisting
TLPA member companies, owners, workers and their families personally
impacted by Katrina received $20,650 in donations. These funds were
divided among four TLPA member companies, two in Mississippi, one in
New Orleans and one in Alabama.
In
addition to these funds, TLPA members contributed $25,300 to be contributed
to the relief efforts headed by well respected national charities, with
$6,800 donated to the American Red Cross, $9,500 to the Bush-Clinton
Katrina Fund, and $9,000 to The Salvation Army.
TLPA 2006 Meetings and Events
April, 6-9, 2006
Spring Conference & Exhibition
Ross Bridge Resort & Spa Birmingham, Alabama
Spring Conference & Exhibition
July
12-16, 2006
Mid-Year Conference
Westin Maui Resort & Spa Kaanapali Beach, Maui
Mid-Year Conference
October
8-11, 2006
88th Annual Convention & Trade Show
Caesars Palace Las Vegas, Nevada
88th Annual Convention & Trade Show
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