Diane Aldred

Chicago Limo Driver Accused Of DUI Blames Erratic Driving On Party Bus: Chicagoist

With the release of the latest 2011 Lincoln Town Car, Lincoln has ended the development of the town car series that have dominated the streets of metropolitan cities like Chicago and New York as the chauffeured vehicle of choice for over 30 years. What has been the most widely accepted as the conventional luxury limousine is no longer available for purchase, and as a result, limousine companies are scrabbling in search for a replacement. Lincoln Town car attributed for a delicate balance between comfort, convenience, and price. The aforementioned criteria are critical in selecting a new limousine. Although there are a few options available that seem like a good fit, limousine companies want something more contemporary that would renew the demand for town cars. Thus, in order to achieve a more modern look, limo service firms are looking into luxury SUVs, particularly Lincoln MKT and Mercedes R350. Both Lincoln MKT and Mercedes R350 are more fuel efficient alternatives to the Lincoln Town Car. The interiors are spacious and comfortable, seating as many people as your typical town car would, and the prices fit the limo service business model. It also seems like the SUV limousine look would serve as a much needed change to the chauffeur world. Although the newly selected models are truly gorgeous cars, they are no limousines. Savvier limousine companies are quickly adapting to the change and are pushing the new models via their marketing campaigns, but customers are slow to take the bait. Theres something about an SUV type look that is reminiscent of a family car, and does not bode well in a business environment. Thus the traditional luxury limousine is all but gone. Limo companies in Chicago are sticking to their beloved Lincoln town car for a number of reasons. Aesthetics and culture are important, but the sudden change to the limousine business model has the entire auto repair and enhancement industries scrambling as well. Most of the shops were set up and tailored to the Lincoln Town Car series, where a Town Car could be up and running within minutes of being brought into the repair shop. Stretching the car was also made into an assembly-like process that is now in desperate change mode. The fact is that regardless of the vehicle that is chosen as the next limousine, the entire industry will have to adapt to the change for the better or for worse. So if drastic change is to come, why not select a vehicle that will truly revolutionize the limousine business? When it comes to fuel efficiency and drastic change, theres nothing more modern and out of the ordinary than a fully electric car! Tesla S series town car would set the ground for the entire automotive industry if it were marketed as a luxury limousine. Teslas amazing sedan is not only classy and contemporary, but it also paves the way for our future. In the initial adoption phase Town Car limousine service prices would probably be similar to those today, but as the price of the vehicle drops, the lack of fuel surcharges would make for a convenient and inexpensive mode of transportation. There are, of course, concerns of how easily attainable the parts are for Teslas repair, and how accessible the recharging stations will be. The battery also stands in the way of eventually stretching the car and making it into a luxury stretch limousine. But theres nothing standing in the way that some brilliant automotive engineering minds cant solve and time wont fix. To truly be positioned for change, limousine companies should at least consider adopting an electric car as part of their limousine fleet. The benefits are countless and the recently popular environmental initiative among consumers should make the transition process smoother.

In April, the San Francisco startup expanded its service in Chicago from black cars to include taxis as well. (Ubers recent attempt to expand from black cars to yellow taxis in New York City were swatted down last month by the Taxi and Limousine Commission.) Although Ubers brash tactics and outspoken CEO, Travis Kalanick, have rankled city governments and competitorsthe complaint even features a screengrab of a contentious tweet from Mr. Kalanick and references his open criticism of of any regulation in generalthis marks the first time a taxi or limousine company has filed a suit against Uber. The complaint was filed in theNorthern District of Illinois, on behalf ofthe following companies: Yellow Group, Yellow Cab Affiliation, Taxi Affiliation Services, YC1, 5 Star Flash, Chicago Medallion One and Your Private Limousine. Itaccuses Uber ofviolating numerous local and state laws regarding public safety, consumer protection, and fair practices. Twitter really has made it! Mr. Kalanick had not yet seen the lawsuit when Betabeat reached him this afternoon, and said he would respond with a full statement once his attorneys had looked over the document, although he did offer clarification on a couple matters below. The most noteworthy claim in the suit, at least where consumers are concerned, is related to pricing. In Chicago, Uber charges consumers a20 percent gratuity as the only charge associated with its e-hail and payment service.When Betabeat spoke to Uber last month, they hoped to be able to use the same 20 percent payment structure in New Yorks yellow cabs . The lawsuit, however,alleges that only half of that gratuity goes to the driver, with the other half going to Uber. It also saysthe practice violates Chicago ordinances by charging more that the meters set rate and that its illegal to pass on the credit card processing fees to passengers. Mr. Kalanick responded that the 20 percent tip passes through the driver and that Drivers pay a service fee to Uber for bringing them the additionalbusiness, similar to many radio dispatches in the Chicago area. The unlawful practice allegations seem to rests on the argument that Uber does not have the knowledge or consent of cab and limo companies, but rather contracts directly with drivers driving the taxi and livery cars.Its worth noting that while Uber develops relationships with black car companies (only one is named in the suit), itreaches out to taxi drivers directly. Thats partially a function of the fact that it has a dispatch license in Chicago for taxis. We connect riders with taxi drivers directly, weve never claimed otherwise Mr. Kalanick told Betabeat in regards to the lawsuit. In fact,Uberis currently trying to recruit taxi drivers in both Chicago and New York. However, the suit also calls that dispatch license into question, stating that mischaracterized its true methods of operation in order to fraudulently acquire a dispatch license and failed to disclose that it had no taxi affiliations. According to the complaint, thisfalse impression of association with transportation companies gives Uber the aura of legitimacy, with the public, while avoiding the costs and time necessitated by compliance with the laws and regulations. The suit then goes on toaccuse Uber of outright violations of the laws and regulations governing legally operating transportation companies, for example, the liability for checking whether vehicles are inspected and licensed. Chicago taxi drivers, the suit also notes, are prohibited from using cellphones whether or not hands-free, while operating a cab. Todays lawsuit is hardly the only legal morass Uber will have to climb out of in Chicago. Earlier this week, a Chicago attorney filed a class action lawsuit in theCircuit Court of Cook County on behalf of local passengers for false price advertising and deceptive use of wording in communicating how Uber makes a profit from each booking. Looks like the New York City Councils objections to e-hailing might be the least of their concerns. This is a breaking story and we will update the post as we learn more.

Avalon Limousine: High Class Chicago Limo Service at Low Prices

Madison was charged with DUI for driving erratically while shuttling 23 high schoolers to prom in Oswego, Ill. (DuPage County Sheriff's Office mugshot.) Meet Richard L. Madison. The 54-year-old limo driver was arrested Saturday night and charged with driving under the influence , suspected of shuttling 23 teens on a party bus to the Oswego East High School prom while drunk behind the wheel. One of the teens, Kelsey Dano, told the Sun-Times Madison backed the bus into a ditch after picking them up, slammed on the brakes repeatedly, cut off three cars that were forced to swerve to avoid hitting the bus and eventually drove the teens to the wrong venue. The prom goers eventually called their parents to get them to their prom, an experience senior Kelsey Dano called a bummer. "We came to two lanes of traffic where we had to cross both of them and he pulled out in front of three cars coming. They all had to slam on their brakes and swerve. And then he hopped a median. After that everyone was freaking out, like something is not right," said Dano. Madison, who posted bond and was released Sunday, said he wasnt drunk and that mechanical issues with the bus were the reason for his erratic driving. The bus needs wheel alignment and thats why it was moving the way it did. Yes, it was out-of-true wheels that led to Madison allegedly hopping the median, running into a ditch and slamming on the brakes repeatedly. Sources told NBC 5 Madisons blood alcohol level was 0.239, nearly three times the legal limit. His employer, Limos Alive, said theyre taking the situation very seriously. Contact the author of this article or email tips@chicagoist.com with further questions, comments or tips. Chuck Sudo in News on May 13, 2013 2:20 pm

Uber Sued for Consumer Fraud and Unlawful Practices by Chicago Taxi and Limo Companies | Betabeat

The company offers promotions for its clients, just in order to make them feel good and enjoy the ride. Its prices are low enough to determine anybody to call and become a client. However, the company is now offering some new promotions designed to catch the eye and determine more and more people to book the limo services. There is now a Prom 2010 Special. The rates have recently been lowered. The company offers special rates that are starting at $45/person. The 2010 Prom Season is almost here and people who earlier wanted to use a limo service in Chicago, but were discouraged by the price, can definitely call the company and find the best rates in Chicago. The Prom 2010 Special is not the only promotion offered by Avalon Limousine to its clients. The company is now the proud owner of a new Hummer H2 that is ready to take the clients to and from their weddings. The Wedding Package 2010 can be shortly presented like this: In May, clients will get $50 off their total wedding package, but only in May. This offer expires on June 1st. The best thing to do is to hurry up, pick up the phone and call the company. However, nothing can be complete without the last promotion. Clients who will book the brand new White Pearl Hummer H2 for their coming event will get a 10% cut off their total package price. The company calls it the May 2010 Special and this offer expire on June 1st. The clients can get any type of limo they want. Avalon Limousines offers a large variety of limousines, starting with the famous Hummer H2 White Pearl and ending with the elegant and mean Cadillac Escalade. The company owns an impressive fleet of limos, capable to serve any kind of clients. The company owns 7 limousines, which are some of the most exotic luxury SUV limos in Chicagos area. Each Hummer and limo is fully loaded, having 22 inch rims. Also, drinks are included to make the ride an unforgettable experience. The company is ready to serve all its potential clients. Avalon Limousines guarantees not just a nice limo experience, but also the ultimate limo experience. It is ready to serve its Chicago-living clients for any types of events, such as weddings, birthdays, bachelor parties, senior proms and other occasions. All this is done in order to attract even the most pretentious and exquisite clients. The relation with the clients is considered to be the most important aspect of the companys activity. Customer satisfaction is achieved by taking royal care of each client. The clients are not just treated like royalty, but more as friends. The customers are Avalons friends and family. Avalons main objective is to earn the trust of its clients when it comes to Chicago limo services. There are no limits, just endless possibilities. Related Links Every day, hundreds of individuals and companies choose WebWire to distribute their news. WebWire places your news within numerous highly trafficked websites, generating leads and publicity.