State and Local Elected Leaders Join LILA Board to Discuss Matters of Public Safety
(Saint James, New York) – The Long Island Limousine Association (LILA) proudly announces the resounding success of its recent Legislative Breakfast. This event brought together LILA board members, and state and local elected officials to discuss pressing issues facing the passenger transportation industry on Long Island.
In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, LILA alerted all New Yorkers to only hire licensed car, van and limousine operators, and launched an unlicensed operator tip line. Unlike licensed operators, those who are unlicensed and operating illegally are not required to comply with a background check, are not registered with the New York State Department of Transportation or Consumer Affairs, are not required to carry safety equipment within the vehicle and do not carry livery insurance, leaving passengers completely unprotected in the event of an incident.
As part of its public awareness campaign, LILA shared information with regional representatives about the dangers of hiring unlicensed car operators, many of which solicit business through mom’s pages and other groups on Facebook and various social media platforms. LILA board members are calling on local elected officials and law enforcement agencies to assist with cracking down on illegal car operators transporting passengers across Long Island.
The topics discussed at the breakfast include new enforcement measures, the creation of a public database of licensed operators, greater education of local law enforcement agencies and broader awareness amongst the public at airports, train stations and tourist destinations to only hire licensed operators.
Dignitaries who attended LILA’s first legislative breakfast include New York State Senator Siela Bynoe, New York State Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey, Babylon Supervisor and Chair of the Suffolk County Supervisors Association Rich Schaffer, Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Suffolk County Legislature Deputy Presiding Officer Steve Flotteron, Minority Leader Jason Richberg, Legislator Samuel Gonzalez, Legislator Rebecca Sanin, Town of Islip Councilman Mike McElwee, Village of Lindenhurst Mayor Michael Lavorata, and staff members representing New York State Senator Mario Mattera, New York State Assemblyman Doug Smith, Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine, Legislator Catherine Stark and Legislator Stephanie Bontempi.
“I want to thank all of the elected officials and their staff who took the time out of their busy schedules and came to our legislative breakfast,” said LILA President Tom Gouldsbury, of Azure Limousine. “This event shows our commitment to advocating for the interests of our industry while building strong relationships with our lawmakers who understand the unique challenges we face.”
“This successful breakfast marks a significant step in strengthening our association’s advocacy efforts and ensuring that the voices of transportation professionals are heard in legislative discussions,” said LILA Vice President Charles Gandolfo, of Dynasty Limousine. “We spoke a great deal about the role that consumer affairs and law enforcement play in our mission, and our representatives listened and are already taking action.”
“The posts you see on social media with recommendations of unlicensed drivers are too frequently responded to while these drivers are putting people’s lives in danger,” said LILA 2nd Vice President Jim Powers, of All Star Limousine. “We appreciate our elected officials helping us to get the word out and making sure their respective agencies partner with us to put passenger safety first.”
“LILA’s legislative agenda for 2025 includes important issues regarding public safety that not just impact the limousine industry, but consumers, residents, venues and small business owners throughout Long Island,” said National Limousine Association Second Vice President and LILA Board Member Doug Schwartz, of Executive Limousine. “These issues are non-partisan directly reflect the mission of the National Limousine Association, to represent the interests of the private driver transportation industry. I am excited that so many of our governmental partners are joining LILA in its public service campaign to urge operators to get licensed.”
About the Long Island Limousine Association
The Long Island Limousine Association (LILA) was incorporated in 1978 to provide a media for owners of limousines to learn best practices in the industry. LILA increases the public awareness of the many benefits found in using a member company by creating a better relationship and understanding between legal owner/operators, all the government agencies, and the public. LILA is one of the largest bi-county limousine associations in the United States, with 210 member companies and more than 3,500 employees across Long Island. LILA is proud to announce that more than 500,000 passengers have been transported and more than 7.5 million miles have been driven across Long Island. For more information, please visit their website at www.lilimoassociation.com
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