N.Y. Representative Laura Gillen (center) with (L to R) Jeff Rose of Attitude New York, NLA President Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine, NLA Director Doug Schwartz of Executive Transportation, and Rosina Rubin of Attitude New York

More than 70 members representing dozens of states convened in Washington, D.C., to speak with officials on Capitol Hill as part of the National Limousine Association’s (NLA) Day on the Hill this past April 14-15. This annual two-day event, which was also attended by CD President Chris Weiss, is the association’s flagship advocacy effort that includes members.

Day one was spent building a foundation for attendees, including examining core issues impacting the industry. Working in conjunction with its longtime lobbying firm, Cornerstone Government Affairs, the NLA identified several legislative priorities that are affecting operators nationwide to discuss during their Congressional meetings. Of course, skyrocketing insurance rates continue to be a major pain point.

Among the event’s top priorities:

Insurance, Insurance, Insurance: The NLA highlighted the crisis in affordable insurance driven by fraud, staged accidents, litigation costs, and regulatory inefficiencies, which threaten small operators’ viability despite strong safety records. The association supports the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act to criminalize staged crashes (especially commercial vehicles where companies have larger policies).

Passenger Safety and Industry Integrity: Concerns over sexual assaults involving TNC drivers have prompted calls for federal oversight, transparency, and safety standards. The NLA advocates for a federal framework to improve passenger safety, building on Sami’s Law to establish enforceable safety standards and accountability measures for for-hire and app-based transportation providers.

Tax Policy and Business Support: The NLA emphasized the importance of tax policies, including the No Tax on Tips policy, to aid workforce retention and recruitment, and urged the expedited issuance of clearer guidance from the IRS. Additionally, the NLA called for enhancements to Section 179 deductions, allowing small businesses to fully deduct vehicle purchases to encourage investment in safer, modern vehicles essential for industry competitiveness.

Representative Richie Torres addressed attendees

Cornerstone staff also provided updates on the upcoming 2026 midterm elections—where all House representatives and 35 Senators are up for reelection or replacement—as well as the latest progress on the Tax and Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act and other political rumbles on the Hill. They also offered tips on how to lobby Congress, as the meetings were scheduled for the following day. NLA members also heard directly from Reps. Richie Torres (N.Y.-15) and Laura Gillen (N.Y.-4), who both expressed their support for the industry and listened as members voiced their concerns.

“We had the opportunity to educate lawmakers and staff on the unique role our industry plays in local economies, public safety, tourism, and business travel,” wrote NLA President Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Transportation in his weekly President’s Letter. “The initial response from these meetings was very encouraging. We heard thoughtful questions, saw genuine interest, and received positive feedback on our professionalism and preparedness. Many offices expressed a willingness to continue the conversation and explore ways to support issues important to our members.”

Source: Chauffeur Driven

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The NLA and the University Transportation Research Center have continued to elevate the industry’s insurance crisis through their September 2025 report, Curbing the Limousine Insurance Crisis, authored by Matt Daus. The report’s findings reinforce what operators conveyed on Capitol Hill, documenting widespread premium increases despite strong safety records and limited claims activity. Drawing on national survey data, it highlights how rising costs - driven by fraud, litigation, and regulatory inefficiencies - are placing disproportionate strain on small and mid-sized operators.

The report also outlines a comprehensive path forward, combining near-term operational strategies with longer-term regulatory and legal reforms to stabilize premiums and restore balance to the market. Its continued visibility in national and trade media reflects a coordinated effort by the NLA and its partners to translate industry concerns into actionable policy solutions, positioning the report as a roadmap for preserving the viability and competitiveness of the chauffeured transportation sector.

Click Here to Read the Full Report

Image: GMA News Online

Motorcycle Taxi Community Philippines on Friday called for the passage of a measure that will institutionalize the motorcycle taxi sector, saying the government’s pilot study on motorcycle taxis has been running for almost a decade.

In a statement, MC Taxi Community chairman Romeo Maglunsod said that any motorcycle taxi law must recognize the industry as part of the gig economy and must be anchored on the rights and interests of gig workers.

“Any action from Congress must ensure the protection of the livelihoods of thousands of riders who work every day to provide for their families,” Maglunsod said. 

The group is recommending that franchises or accreditation be granted directly to individual riders, similar to the model used for transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers, instead of placing riders under platform-held franchises.

Source: GMA News Online

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Bus Coalition Leaders Push to Protect Transit Funding in Critical Reauthorization Year

In a recent episode of METROspectives, leaders from The Bus Coalition (TBC) — Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin — joined METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss the organization’s evolving role and its priorities heading into a pivotal federal surface transportation reauthorization year.

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Joby Electric Air Taxi Makes First West Side Test Flight

A new kind of aircraft touched down in Hell’s Kitchen this morning — briefly. Joby Aviation’s electric “air taxi” arrived at the West 30th Street Heliport in Hudson River Park just before 11:30am on Thursday, completing its first test flight into the West Side from JFK Airport.

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Los Angeles: Century City Tower to Launch Air Taxi Service

A plan to bring air taxi service to a luxury residential tower in Century City was announced Thursday, marking a potential step toward widespread urban air mobility in Los Angeles. Real estate firm Reuben Brothers said Thursday it has partnered with Joby Aviation to establish a vertiport — a specialized infrastructure designed for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft — at the Park Elm Residences at Century Plaza.

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Lane Hutson and Habs Take Over 'Next Station' Announcements in Montreal Metro

About a year after coming under fire for removing the words "Go! Canadiens Go!" from the electronic signs on city buses over concerns about Quebec's language legislation, the Montreal transit agency is trying something new to show its love.

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Vancouver Paves the Way for Street Improvement Projects This Spring

As spring gets underway, so too does a series of street improvement projects across the City’s busy transportation network. Road rehabilitation work across approximately six kilometres of major city routes is set to be begin next month, representing a capital investment of more than $15 million. 

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Ontario Tables Bill to Allow Provincial Takeover of Toronto Island Airport

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria introduced a bill Thursday that would allow the province to take over the City of Toronto's role in the island airport. It's part of a government push for an expansion of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to include jets.

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What Makes a ‘Fair’ Taxi Fare? Balancing Driver Sustainability with Passenger Value

At its heart, a viable taxi price must strike a balance between two competing pressures. For drivers, tariffs must be sufficient to sustain a reasonable standard of living in the area in which they are licensed. For passengers, fares must remain competitive with alternative transport options while delivering a level of service that justifies the cost.

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Ireland Transport Minister Says 'No Intention' to Introduce Private Taxi Ride-Hailing Apps

Ireland’s consumer watchdog is calling for increased access to ride-hailing apps on the Irish market due to a taxi supply shortage, but the Minister of Transport says the government has no intention to let private drivers provide taxi services.

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Helsinki Opens One of the World’s Longest Car-Free Bridges

Spanning 1,191 metres, the Kruunuvuorensilta bridge connects the residential area of Kruunuvuorenranta and the the island of Korkeasaari with central Helsinki and is reserved exclusively for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. Private cars are not permitted.

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Australia: Taxi Drivers Say Fuel Crisis Another Blow to Industry

While other local business have put up their prices, South West taxi operator Craig Smith-Gander said it was impossible for him to pass the cost on to consumers. "All of my suppliers, my mechanics, all of those sort of people here in the south, have all increased their prices in the last 12 months," said Mr Smith-Gander.

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Indian Blackbuck EV Expands Beyond E-Coaches with 9-Meter Electric City Bus VIRO 2X:

The model supports multiple interior layouts, including a 34-seat configuration and a 30-seat fully reclining premium-luxury version. These configurations are intended for corporate staff transport, premium shuttle operations, private charter services and selected intercity applications.

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Robotaxi Outage in China Leaves Passengers Stranded on Highways

A suspected system failure froze Baidu’s robotaxis across Wuhan, trapping passengers and reportedly causing traffic disruptions and crashes.

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Image: Gothamist

From a command center at JFK Airport, the Port Authority Police Department watches everyone who comes and goes through the busy terminals.

Officers monitor dozens of screens displaying camera feeds capturing the arrivals and departures areas, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The center opened last year, and is among a number of surveillance upgrades the Port Authority is using to crack down on illegal taxi scammers who plague the airport.

The new tech in the command center include license plate readers that track every car in the airport’s footprint. The tech will soon become even more sophisticated through a $100 million Port Authority investment in an initiative called “Operation Legal Ride,” which will use artificial intelligence to help police the scammers at the airport.

Scot Pomerantz, the Port Authority Police commanding officer of JFK Airport, recently gave Gothamist a tour of the command center. Photographs were prohibited due to security concerns.



Pomerantz has been with Port Authority police for 24 years. Much of that time has been dedicated to chasing the airport hustlers.

“This isn’t something that we want here at the airport,” he said. “It’s not safe for our passengers. We take our enforcement extremely serious.”

The scammers, known as “hustlers,” have operated at New York City’s airports for decades. They coax unsuspecting tourists into unlicensed taxis — and charge them astronomical fares for their rides into the city. Gothamist reported earlier this year on a scammer who charged a married couple from Kenya $800 for a ride from JFK Airport to Midtown.

Port Authority data shows the new tech and command center has coincided with a crackdown at JFK. The police department issued 2,602 summonses for illegal taxi solicitation in 2025, nearly double the year prior.

These enhanced enforcement efforts by the Port Authority align with the findings and recommendations of a recent report authored by Matt Daus at the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC), in collaboration with CTANJ and the Black Car Assistance Corporation (BCAC), titled Addressing Unlicensed and Illegal Ride Hailing in the NY/NJ Metro Region.

The report examines the persistent challenges of illegal ride-hailing and taxi solicitation in major transportation hubs like New York’s airports. The report highlights the safety risks, consumer protection concerns, and regulatory gaps that allow these operations to persist, while outlining a range of practical enforcement and policy solutions. As the Port Authority advances initiatives like “Operation Legal Ride,” it is clear that the agency is listening to these concerns and moving toward a more coordinated, technology-driven enforcement strategy.

“The Port Authority’s investment in smarter enforcement tools and data-driven strategies is a critical step in protecting passengers and supporting legitimate operators,” said Matt. “By combining strong on-the-ground enforcement with modern technology and clear regulatory frameworks, we can meaningfully reduce illegal activity and restore confidence in the airport ground transportation system.”

Source: Gothamist

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