The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

Linkin' Limos
BY ALLYSON PRITCHARD
503 243-2122


_____ Angry limo drivers have teamed up to try to flatten city regulations they say give rival cab drivers an unfair advantage in the race for riders.
The Portland City Council voted Dec. 11 to impose a $45 minimum price for town-car operators carrying passengers between Portland International Airport and the downtown area. That would push town-car fares 50 percent above a taxi fare for the same route. (See The Nose, WW, Dec. 10, 2003.)

After the council vote, drivers formed the Oregon Limousine and Livery Association to oppose the new rules. Association president John V. Sinibaldi, who runs Carey Five-Star Limousine Service, says the group represents 25 town-car, limousine and shuttle owners who operate a combined 100 vehicles and boast 275 employees.

He says the conflicts with cabbies, and the city's need to protect them, stem from a glut of taxis.

The limo operators' first goal is to boot a drivers' rep off the for-hire transportation board. In a letter to city officials, Sinibaldi says Brandon Sofge is not looking out for town-car drivers' interests.

Sinibaldi says his colleagues also will work to protect agreements town cars have with airlines and hotels, arrangements which cabbies say hurts taxi business.

Finally, lawyers representing the limo group are preparing a challenge to the minimum fee imposed on airport runs. "We're not going to get steamrolled," Sinibaldi says. "We are going to be pushing this and most likely will go to the courts."


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Originally published
Wednesday, December 24, 2003

Steve Walker
Azusa, CA
steve@capriceshop.com
http://www.capriceshop.com

Hmmmm, wonder what the public would say if the council forced selected gas stations to increase the price of gas ? or particular stores to increase the prices of food ? or some phone companies to increase their call prices ? etc,etc,etc this smacks of major interference of the right to FREE market trading ! Wonder what the council members would say if every retailer had a list of their names and applied higher prices to their purchases "sorry council members pay $100 minimum". As far as I'm concerned legislation that tilts the playing field from one market area to another in this manner, raises the thought of possible insider interference and is neither good for the public or the reputation of the councillors.
In the meantime I would consider the use of promotional vouchers of a value that would restore the original status, after all they can't stop special offers !

I agree that we do not need any more Government intervention into our business, but as you said some companies do need relegulation. If it were not for the little relegulation we currently have here in Mich., could you just imagine all of the Gypsies we would have running around. It is bad enough as it is.

I have been fighting Government in the form of Transit's running charters with federally funded vehicles so I really do not like the intrusion either.

David E. Merrill

David, I do not think it is the rate structure they have a problem with rather the introduction of any regulation for the limousine industry in OR. It's the slippery slope argument, first it is the minimum charge, then it's the maximum charge, then it's when and where they can operate, then it a dress code, then it is fines for having a dirty limousine (Tampa)

Of course some operators in our industry need this kind of regulation but that is no reason to impose it on all. The market will take care of slackers eventually.

Anyway, I know Mr. Sinibaldi use to post here hopefully he can come and give us an update sometime on how things are going.

Steve Walker
Azusa, CA
steve@capriceshop.com
http://www.capriceshop.com

I never was to good at math in school but this seems pretty simple. If the fare set by the commission is $45.00 which is 50% higher than the cab fare, I beleive the Cab fare is $30.00. $15.00 more for the luxury of a Town Car with a uniformed and bathed Chauffeur who probably has some command of the English language seems well worth it to me. Where is the problem.

David E. Merrill

They have been free of ANY REGULATION for years...now it is creeping in like the plague. It is good that we will have an Oregon Limousine Association. I agree that a cab is worth a certain amount, a luxury sedan with a uniformed chauffeur-certified and vetted.etc is worth a greater amount. Both professions deserve respect...you have to watch for the husslers with old sedans running cut-rate in any market. I believe the term is SHARECROPPING........

Dean Schuler

Why the Whining? Don't you think that your town car service is 50% better than a ragged old Taxi Cab? I thought we promoted Luxury SERVICE not competed with Taxi Cabs. Sell the sizzle not the steak, that is what I have always been told.

David E. Merrill