TLPA

TLPA MID-YEAR CONFERENCE IS A SUCCESS


The Taxicab Limousine & Paratransit Association's Mid-Year Conference in beautiful Hamilton, Bermuda was a great success on many fronts. From the opening night networking reception to the closing night entertainment, our international gathering of conference participants enjoyed great company, fabulous weather, breathtaking scenery, and the most informed discussion of industry issues anywhere. Many attendees said this was the best Mid-Year Conference ever.


Business Sessions

The business portion of the meeting was intense. After much lively discussion and some changes, the TLPA Board of Directors adopted TLPA's first ever Taxicab Company Standards for Metropolitan Areas of Greater than One Million in Population and Paratransit Driver Standards. The Board also approved an updated TLPA Strategic Plan for 2008 - 2010 and the development of an Internet based driver training program.


Networking & Fun

Many of the industry's premier operators were present sharing knowledge at every turn. At the breakfasts, during the optional snorkeling trip, and during the cocktail receptions there was much business discussed. There was also a lot of catching up on personal news as many operators brought their entire families to the conference.

The optional snorkeling trip on the 50 foot catamaran was a lot of fun. The group sailed out to a reef where many TLPA members and their families snorkeled in warm water and saw colorful fish, coral and plants.

The sail back to the dock was equally fun as a buffet lunch was served along with an open bar. The entertainment at the final night's cocktail reception was certainly a pleasant surprise to everyone within earshot.

TLPA President, Brian Wier and Vice President Rick Hewatt sang while Brian played the guitar and Rick played the drums and harmonica. The crowd stood quietly, probably in shock and awe, through the first song, listening intently and then erupted into applause at the end of the song.

For the remainder of the first set the crowd danced and sang along. When the cocktail party was to end the crowd wanted more, so, the duet of Wier & Hewatt obliged with a second set. TLPA board members Margie Wilcox, Robbie Werth, Jo Anne Thompson, and Ham Smythe IV joined them on stage and impressed everyone with their vocals.

An informative, productive and good time was had by all at this TLPA Mid-Year Conference.

TLPA President Brian Wier and TLPA Vice President Rick Hewatt entertaining in Hamilton


FTA Announces Private Enterprise Participation Web Page

James Simpson, Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, sent a Dear Colleague letter to every FTA grantee on July 26, 2007 announcing the addition of a new section on FTA's web site titled "Private Enterprise Participation".

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), became law on August 10, 2005. It was the most pro private sector transportation legislation ever passed by Congress. In the subsequent months, FTA has been issuing guidance to implement the law's provisions.

On February 14, 2007, the Federal Highway Administration and the FTA issued the Final Rule for Statewide Transportation Planning and Metropolitan Transportation Planning.

On March 29, 2007, FTA issued circulars for the three human service transportation programs it administers:

  • the Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities program,

  • the Job Access and Reverse Commute program, and

  • the New Freedom program.


These implementing rules and circulars articulate the requirement that private providers be provided an opportunity to be consulted in developing transportation plans and programs in both urbanized and rural areas. The one missing element was a single point of reference that explained FTA private enterprise participation policies and programs. The development of this new web page takes care of this deficiency.

In his letter Administrator Simpson states: "We developed this new web page because we recognize the indispensable role of private enterprise in meeting the transportation needs of the public. Private sector operators are important for the delivery of transportation services in every community, in their role as either direct providers of services they choose to offer the public, or as contractors who deliver public transportation or specialized transportation services.

Along with experience and knowledge, the private sector brings additional resources, flexibility, and competition to the transit community."

You can reach this new FTA web site by entering
http://www.fta.dot.gov/priate.

There are seven topics covered on the web site:

  • Private Participation in Planning;

  • Private Participation in Service Delivery;

  • FTA Programs for Private Participation;

  • FTA Oversight for Private Enterprise Participation;

  • FTA Regional Office Information;

  • Statutory Protections for Private Enterprise; and

  • Private Enterprise Provisions in Statutes, Regulations, and FTA Circulars.


This is valuable information for all private operators to review and use, and it should be particularly helpful to share with Metropolitan Planning Organizations and transit agencies that are not including the private sector as required by law.

TLPA President Brian Wier



TLPA Annual Convention & Trade Show in Denver

Name a city that boasts nationally recognized chefs, exciting nightlife, endless shopping, history and culture PLUS 300 days of sunshine per year? It's Denver the site of the TLPA 2007 Annual Convention & Trade Show.

The Trade Show will be held in the expansive Colorado Convention Center directly across the street from the Hyatt. The TLPA Trade Show is the showcase for the latest in technology and service for your business. Look, listen & learn and you will find something to save you time and money and improve your business!

  • The grand opening of the Trade Show will be held on Tuesday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

  • On Wednesday the exhibit hall will be open from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. with lunch being served early and an open bar served later in the afternoon.

  • On Thursday, the exhibit hall will be open from noon to 3:15 p.m. with lunch being served early and prize drawings being held later in the afternoon after 27 Roundtable Discussions.

  • On Tuesday afternoon, October 9, the convention's educational sessions open with three sets of nine concurrent roundtables. This newest feature of the convention received rave reviews from the participants the past two years and is expected to be even more popular in Denver.

  • The first thing Wednesday morning, at the Opening General Session, President Brian Wier will give his state of the industry & TLPA address.

  • On Wednesday, October 10, the TLPA and Foundation Annual Business Meetings will be held where new budgets will be adopted, by law changes will be reviewed and board members will be elected and sworn into office.


The highlight of the Annual Business Meeting will be newly elected TLPA President Brian Hunt presenting his vision for the future course of TLPA and the industry.

Convention headquarters will be at the Hyatt Regency Denver. The Hyatt made its grand opening in December 2005 and offers over 1000 spacious guest rooms with the plush new Grand Beds, flat screen TVs and extensive health club with indoor lap pool not to mention the panoramic views.

The striking, new, state-of-the-art hotel is perfectly situated to give you unequalled access to all of the Downtown Denver attractions, from shops and restaurants to sporting events and nightlife.

Please make your hotel reservations early. TLPA's room block will expire on September 5, 2007 or whenever our block of rooms sells out, whichever happens first. Make your reservations directly with the Hyatt Regency Hotel. By identifying yourself as a TLPA registrant you will receive our special group rate starting at $185.00 Single/Double; $205 Regency Club; $210.00 Triple and $235 Quad.

The Hyatt Regency Hotel reservations department toll free number is 1-800-633-7313 or the local number in Denver is (303) 436-1234. All rooms have mobile work stations, video on demand, high speed internet access, data port, hairdryers, 25 inch or larger flat screen TV, cordless phone(s), windows that open, iron/ironing board, coffee maker, cable/satellite TV channels, clock radio, large safe and morning newspaper.


Denver Arts Week October 5-12, 2007.

Denver will celebrate creativity with Denver Arts Week during TLPA's visit to Denver. Denver Arts Week is a first time innovative collaboration of the entire arts and cultural community where residents and visitors alike will find art districts, galleries, theaters, museums and area attractions offering special programming, valuable discounts, interactive events, prize giveaways, food, fun and festive receptions during this special week.

One of the major exhibits opening during Denver Arts Week is the opening of the Artisans and Kings Selected Treasures from the Louvre at the Denver Art Museum. The exhibit opens on October 6, 2007 and runs until January 6, 2008.

The Denver Art Museum announced that it will host Artisans and Kings Selected Treasures from the Louvre, as the first international exhibition in the new Frederic C. Hamilton Building.

The Museum will present an array of master works including mainly decorative arts, such as Gobelin's 1775 tapestry, The Loves of the Gods, Vertume and Pomone and a selection of porcelain, completed by Savres, sculptures, antiquities, paintings and drawings by Rubens, Titian, Velazquez and Daurer, among others.

Register Today. Make your plans now to attend this fabulous event, the TLPA 88th Annual Convention & Trade Show. By registering now you lock in the discounted early registration fee. To register for this important meeting, contact TLPA by going to the association's web site at:
www.tlpa.org or call the TLPA office at 301-946-5700.

Hal Morgan, TLPA's Director of Research & Education, provided this article.

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