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I received this email and would like to share it with you my friends.

Dear Colleagues,

At the risk of boring the ‘uninterested’ ones we feel we must update you all on our progress. 

We have managed to muddle through another hectic weekend and we hope you all have managed to get through it unscathed.  We thank everyone for the enormous response we have received.  It is truly heart warming to at last realise we are not alone down here in deepest, darkest Wales, and that there are tens, if not hundreds of other companies in exactly the same position as us.  Nearly everyone who rang us or emailed us wanted imminent action in some shape or form and so far we seem to have recruited in excess of 150 limousines, which is fabulous, and the numbers are increasing with every passing day.  It is clear there is a real and urgent need for something to be done and indeed the industry is crying out for this.

At present, after listening to everyone’s availability it looks as though it will be best to hold an open meeting for all operators on Tuesday 13^th May at 7.30pm in Swindon (address below) so it is as central as possible.  We can then all bring our diaries and decide when, in the next couple of weeks we can go ahead with our protest.  Also on the agenda is to discuss what we want included in the ‘single license’ and generally any other information you would like to bring to a head.

It now seems that the NLCA want to do the same thing and protest(on a different day) as they do not want to join us, they would rather have their own, thank you very much.  They have said they do not want their members participating in this but instead want them to sign a petition to see if one day, maybe, perhaps some time they might actually want to do it.

Since the release of our email it has come to light that one or two key members of the NLCA have been tackled by operators for not being forceful enough over our fight for legislation.  Upon hearing about the NLCA’s negative response to our appeal for support Dan phoned Jay (NLCA legislation officer) to explain that it was not a competition, us against them, but we all wanted the same outcome so why not stand together?  Dan and I have no desire whatsoever to start another Limo Association – far from it!  We want them to do what they are supposed to – fight for the limo operator.  We do not want to undermine the good work done by the NLCA but we feel that something needs to be done NOW.  Not September or sometime never.  NOW!

Dan offered the NLCA to take over the protest and head the way and said we would support them with all the following and backing we have to date.  They declined the offer, saying that it was too short notice and was not feasible to expect people to organise their diary in time and get to London in 8 days.  Dan explained as an owner/driver for 5 years he has on many occasions had a last minute booking on a Sunday that he was too tired to do, or there was no clean cars or he didn’t have a shirt ironed.  But when there is a customer at stake we all run around washing cars and glasses and ironing a shirt, whizzing out just in the nick of time and open the door with a smile on your face.  That’s what we do.  But the NLCA say we cannot possibly wash and fuel a car and be ready in 8 days time!!

Jay was convinced Dan only had a bee in his bonnet because he had been prosecuted and found guilty, this is not the case.  So Dan went on to discuss self-drive with Jay.  Jay said that if run properly, as he does, it is 100% legal and water tight.  After he explained it to Dan in length, Dan picked 3 or 4 holes in it straight away and the entire argument crumbled.  So from being 100% legal and water tight he reverted to say ‘well, it’s our only way to operate at the moment’ (and that he has just purchased a new COIF Hummersine).

As both Dan and I have said we are not on an ego trip or trying to look the big I-am’s, NOR are we looking for sympathy over our prosecutions, but we do want to safeguard our business as we are sure everyone else does.  What we need is strength in numbers but once again, the rift in the industry is dividing us into groups.  8’s, 16’s, COIF’d and unCOIF’d, NLCA and non-NLCA.  ‘I am not supporting so-and-so because he goes out too cheap’, ‘he has got old cars therefore not as good as me’ and so on and so on.  It all needs to stop for this ONE DAY.  So, we ask again, publicly this time, for the NLCA to come and help us and let your members feel they are doing something positive and active.  If it is pride that stands in your way there is no need as we have already said to take over and bring your input and knowledge to it.  We already have in excess of 150 limos and drivers to join the protest, with the input and support of the NLCA we could double those numbers, and then we can be recognised and an industry that unites to confront a common enemy.

If the NLCA still refuse to stand by the industry in what is clearly a widely called for action, then be rest assured it WILL continue without you, and the lack of support will undoubtedly be remembered for a very long time.

Please read this short email I received from an ex-operator in response to my email.  I have copied and pasted and all I have omitted his name and area to protect his identity.  This is email is for the benefit of all those in the ‘8 seat camp’.

Tanya and Dan
                     I have just sold my ford Lincoln classic wave DUE TO VOSA.
My council are making limousine companies plate their limos like a taxi.
Even though my limo had a sva on it when it was brought over from USA, they insist it had to have another SVA to carry passengers.
I took my limo for an SVA and VOSA tore it apart, after a second test and hundreds of pounds spent on it, VOSA would only issue an SVA on to carry 5 passengers. The Limo was a normal ford Lincoln classic wave stretched limo; it had not been altered in any way.  VOSA have said anyone who as a ford Lincoln classic wave and carry more than 5 passengers is breaking the law.
 
I think VOSA JUST WANT LIMOS OFF THE ROAD.

This is one of many emails I have had from people who have been screwed over by non existent legislation.  I have also had emails from people who say there are laws in place for them as normal cars.  But they are not normal cars, nor are they a bus, a coach, a taxi or a minibus.  They are luxury travel, and if we are a big enough problem to be so much of a nuisance to VOSA and other authorities then we are a big enough industry to have very specific legislation for.

For operators who wrote to me and said ‘we run on self-drive, and if YOU did it properly you wouldn’t have prosecutions’.  First of all we had prosecutions before we had self-drive and second of all did you all know that on self-drive the CUSTOMER can be prosecuted for operating without an operating licence?  The hirer makes a booking, and then asks (or charges, in the authorities view) all their friends for their share of the limo.  Hire and reward.  Therefore the customer can be prosecuted and if the great general public discover that, do you think your phone will ring much?  Because I know ours wont! 

We can blame VOSA for having a vendetta, but they are an agency by definition, for the government.  Yes, they love their job I am sure, but they are acting on orders from above.  Its there we need to make an impact, with the monkey grinder not the monkeys.  We need to tell them what we want and have an input into the laws as an industry.  I do understand from those that have posted on Limo Chat that the NLCA were asked for their input and the government is still waiting for it, while the European counterparts have submitted theirs!  Getting back to the forum, Dan in Style made some valid points about what we want, and all we want to do is to bring those suggestions forward in a very public way instead of running around like rats down alleys whenever there is a sniff of VOSA at a school prom or similar.

It doesn’t matter what camp you sit in, if you don’t join in NOW, and join as ONE camp you can forget about your Ascot bookings because we will all be impounded, if not before, then certainly on the day.  You can forget about Christmas shopping trips with ‘ladies that lunch’.  Those days will be gone.  Your limo will be sat on your yard, compound, driveway or unit with flowers growing in them because that’s all they will be good for!  Even the sacred 8 seaters as my email friend has demonstrated. 

PLEASE DO NOT BE SMUG AND ASSUME YOU WILL BE IMMUNE IF YOU HAVE A COUNCIL LICENCE, COIF, OR RESTRICTED O – THIS APPLIES TO EACH AND EVERY PERSON IN THE INDUSTRY.

Even limousine parts suppliers, autoglym, insurance companies, finance companies, magazines, or bubbly suppliers – everyone can be a part of this.  Bring your sign written van or car and be counted in the numbers.  You don’t have to bring a limousine if you don’t have one, a wedding car will do.  Just come and be counted amongst your colleagues.

We want to be legitimate, with laws that are specific for limousines.  At the moment they are trying to fit a square peg into a round hole and unfortunately it doesn’t fit.  Lets come together on the 13^th May and show everyone that there needs to be a round hole for the round peg and make laws that are especially for us, to safe guard our livelihood, our homes and our industry. 

The meeting will be held at The Marsh Farm Hotel, 2 miles from J16 off the M4.

Marsh Farm Hotel

Wootton Bassett

Swindon

Wiltshire

SN4 8ER

Please let us know your thoughts.  Ring or email and let us know you are coming.  There are limited rooms available at the hotel at £59 for a single and £69 for a double.  You can ring them to make your arrangements.

Kindest Regards

Tanya and Dan Rosemeyer