Press Releases

(Rockville, MD) - The Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA) celebrates its 100^th anniversary this year, marking a century of representing the needs of for-hire transportation companies that serve business travelers, tourists, people with disabilities and the general public—a proud legacy of service that began with the iconic yellow taxicab during the first part of the 20th century.

In 1917, a group of taxi operators, including Hertz Rent-a-Car founder John Hertz, met in Washington D.C. and formed the National Association of Taxicab Owners (NATO) to prevent encroachment from the federal government, which had proposed a five percent tax on taxicab companies. Hertz, a Chicago entrepreneur, originated the industry’s iconic yellow cab after a University of Chicago study identified the color as the most recognizable at a distance.

Now, a century later, the TLPA is the largest and oldest transportation association of its kind, representing some 1,000 members who operate more than 100,000 vehicles and who serve 900 million passengers each year. The TLPA is the voice of the industry in Washington, D.C. advocating for its members on federal regulations that affect for-hire fleets. Part of TLPA’s advocacy efforts include an annual fly-in to the nation’s capital for members to visit elected officals.

Throughout its history, the TLPA has helped the industry weather many challenges, including the Great Depression, two World Wars, fuel shortages, the 9/11 attacks and countless changes to the industry. Now Fleet Forward, a new TLPA initiative, is helping launch our industry into the next century. It represents a concerted effort to share stories about how our industry is changing, from new apps to new business lines to a renewed focus on customer service. Fleet Forward presents the best business practices of our members who have for 100 years played a key role in an ever-changing society.

“The changes and challenges our industry has been through are simply astounding,” said Bill Scalzi, President of the TLPA. “And every time, we’ve adapted and become better, safer and more reliable in what we do. We’ve been around for 100 years, and we’ll be around 100 more as long as we keep our eyes on the road ahead.”

Today, the association is focusing on helping its members move their companies into the next century of service. Its three divisions—Taxicab, Limousine & Sedan, and Paratransit & Contracting—have each created an Alternative Business Model Task Force to examine how to better serve the public while keeping costs down in today’s changing environment.

The association plans to mark its milestone 100^th year at its Annual Convention & Trade Show, which will take place Oct. 8-12 in Denver, Colorado, at the Hyatt Regency Denver and the Denver Convention Center.