(Boston) -- The Transportation Alliance (TTA) has launched a “Ride Local Massachusetts” website, part of a campaign to help Bay State passengers connect with local taxi and limousine companies in their area.
The website (www.RideLocalMA.com) hosts a “Catch A Ride” directory that allows passengers to plug in their location to find a nearby service. The campaign--modeled after the “Shop Local” and “Eat Local” initiatives--empowers passengers to support local companies and keep their transportation dollars in Massachusetts. Any licensed and insured Massachusetts taxi or limousine company can add their business to the directory, and the directory will continue to be updated with additional fleet information in the weeks and months ahead.
The website is funded by a grant from MassDevelopment, a state economic development and finance authority. The campaign will include a significant advertising campaign in the second half of 2021, including radio spots, posters on the commuter rail, on screens across Logan Airport, and on social media.
“It’s a wonderful thing when state resources can be deployed to lift up local businesses like ours that are under severe stress due to the pandemic,” said Jo-Anne Thompson, President of Tommy's Taxi, Inc., based in Framingham, Massachusetts. “I hope this encourages people in Massachusetts, and visitors to our state, to think about how they can support local businesses.”
Cheryl Horan, owner of Green & Yellow Cab of Somerville, Massachusetts and a TTA board member, expressed her enthusiasm for the launch of the campaign. “As a fleet operator who is local to Massachusetts, it is exciting to see TTA provide this vital platform for local transportation businesses to thrive, especially in this difficult economic climate. I’m excited to see these tools roll out over the next year and I hope that the campaign will amplify the hard work that these vital businesses are providing for their communities.”
The new website will also host useful information for both fleet owners and drivers. For fleets, the website will serve as a clearinghouse of free resources and products for Massachusetts taxi and livery operators. Fleet operators will find business webinars, Massachusetts-specific newsletters, and scholarship opportunities for leadership training and technical upgrades in the evolving industry. Fleets will also be able to request customized “Ride Local Massachusetts” decal designs from TTA.
For drivers, the site features scholarship opportunities to diversify their business into the burgeoning non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) industry. Drivers can also sign up for the free bi-weekly publication, “Driver Pro Tips,” penned by longtime transportation consultant Joe Rubino. Each driver newsletter aims to improve safety and passenger experience, while giving drivers advice on how to increase their revenue.
“The Transportation Alliance has always strived to provide our industry with ample resources for success, which is why we’re so excited to have the opportunity to offer Massachusetts fleets these tools at no cost to them,” TTA President Nick Cambas said. “This site caters to the three most important parts of any transportation operation: passengers, drivers and fleet operators.”
About The Transportation Alliance: Established in 1917, The Transportation Alliance is a nonprofit trade association that represents the owners and managers of taxicab, livery, paratransit, non-emergency medical transportation, school, shuttle, luxury and motorcoach fleets. The Transportation Alliance's member companies operate more than 100,000 passenger vehicles and transport more than 900 million passengers annually. For more information, please visit www.thetransportationalliance.org.
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