Recently we have
interviewed several of Baltimore Area Taxi and Limousine Services executives
and owners. Most of them have expressed following concerns regarding State of
Transportation services.
Most of these
companies are greatly affected with
PSC's unwillingness to enforce its own rules and regulations against deep
pocket, Gig Economy based Taxi Hailing Apps.
1). The Public
Service commission's creation of a “Transportation Network Operators” licensing
classification for UberX, Lyft and other ride-hailing apps has fundamentally
put traditional taxi and Sedan companies at a disadvantage, PSC has stated that
it cannot govern UberX and Lyft drivers because they are not licensed by PSC.
2). PSC does nothing
to enforce Taxi and Limo regulations against UberX and Lyft, which orchestrates
the operation of a de facto taxicab fleet in direct competition to Taxi and
Sedan companies in Baltimore City and County. UberX drivers in de facto taxicabs
pick up taxi fares in all of Baltimore, Baltimore County and BWI / Baltimore
Airport.
3). All Taxi Cab
Permit Owners and For Hire Drivers pay PSC Annual Dues Approx. $110 Per year
and maintain their Taxi Badge or For Hire Permit. All For Hire Companies also
pays 0.1 Percent of their Total Annual Revenue
to PSC. They are required to maintain Commercial Insurance Approx.
Premium is $3000 Per Taxi in Baltimore City and $1800 Per Taxi in Baltimore
County. Taxi Hailing App Drivers operate under Private insurance Approx. $600
Per Year. It is unfair disadvantage to Legal Local businesses, creating and
providing jobs to local professional drivers (Major Source of Payroll Taxes to
State Govt.)
4). This Hostile
Situation to local business enterprises put them at disadvantage and forcing
them out of business. Public Transportation is regulated industry. Skirting all
local laws and regulations to benefit these TNO's will give them ultimate
monopoly in long run and citizens will suffer. The Business model in New York
City is more practical and balancing between New Emerging Technologies and Old
Fashioned Traditional Taxi Cabs. T&LC Maintains all Licensing and provides
level playing field under same rules and regulations. PSC in Maryland should
also follow those directions and maintain the balance.
Owner of Airport Van and Limo
L.L.C. told us that ( BWITransportation.com) is in
Business since 2009 complying all rules and regulations and creating local
jobs.
Airport Van and Limo
LLC Provide Following Services with our Professional , Trained and Full Time
Drivers. (VanAndLimo.com)
• Online Reservation
System, Mobile App, 24x7 Email and Text Support. Dispatch Office available
During 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
• Lost and Found
Dedicated Support available during Business hours at Ph: +1-443-377-1616,
• Duplicate receipts
available by E-mail/Text request.
• Professional
Drivers with Higher Liability Coverage up to 1.5 Million.
• No Price Shock (
Fixed Prices / No Surge Pricing) , You pay as per estimate / Booking time
price.
• The site www.VANandLimo.Com lets users enter a
pickup location and a destination and estimates fares for each Trip for any
selected vehicle.
• Airport Van and
Limo LLC offer, On time Guarantee, If driver is late / No Show, You get Free
Ride or driver Pay for your Parking.
• You can pay By
Cash in Car, By Credit Card or Setup Prepaid Ride in advance.
• Airport Van and
Limo LLC also Provide Child Seat or Booster Seats on Demand. No Other
Transportation Company Provides this facility.
• Confirmation Text
/ Email has complete Fare Price and Service Terms.
In Violation of the
State's Unfair Practices Act and deceptive marketing. Complaints and concerns
against PSC and its commissioner include that the regulator unconstitutionally
sought to govern UberX's de facto taxis even though it is prohibited from overseeing
cabs in all jurisdictions and that the regulations are imbalanced, in violation
of Taxi and Sedan Companies civil rights.
When ride-hailing
services entered the market, cab drivers occasionally bumped into UberX and
Lyft drivers. But now, They are beating them in Price War and part time
drivers, mostly students, living on welfare, undocumented workers with driving
ID's has easy access to bypass all regulations and work as UberX and Lyft
Drivers. The professional independent drivers have become endangered species,
their relevance is taking a sizable bite. Taxicab Drivers have seen the
industry go from extremely busy and making $300 a day ( $100 for Car/Gas/Lease
, $200 for Himself) to now, Driver is lucky if he gets $150, and it’s all
because of UberX and Lyft,” Uber comes in and there are absolutely no rules,
whatsoever.
