Wednesday, May 23, 2007
S-t-r-e-t-c-h-h-h-h-h-h-h
Here's the secret for finding a story. Listen. Listen to all, friends, strangers or anyone with a gripe. You have to plow through a lot of material but every now and then, you hit the bullseye. That's what happened in our exclusive investigative story which aired May 24th at 11p.m.
The California agency that's supposed to monitor the limousine business didn't listen to angry tipster, but we did. The tipster laid it all out--how a local limousine service doesn't think the laws apply to them. Our tipster was upset, how come he has to pay taxes, workers comp, insurance, all those extras that any legit business has to deal with these days, but some renegade outfit just blows off the rules? So it hardly seems fair that a limo company can offer the prom-goer a discounted price because it doesn't worry about silly little things like insurance for the passengers riding in the stretch. Why would anyone his or her kids ride in an "outlaw" limo in the first place? No excuses, it only takes a few minutes to check the California Public Utilities Commission Web site to find out if the company is licensed and insured. That's where we checked out Black Tie Limo of San Diego. Bottom line here, I sure wouldn't want my kids riding in an uninsured vehicle driven by someone whose training I have no clue about.
There is more to this back story. It's seems the CPUC website is the extent of that state agency's efforts to oversee the industry. It did a limo bust at Lindbergh Field a few years back (like shooting fish in a barrel) and one of the limo owners scooped up in the operation is the same man who is the central figure in our story tonight. Our tipster said he tried telling CPUC about Black Tie Limo but nothing happened.
That's why he talked with the 10News Investigative team and you can see for yourself the result of this tip -- tonight on 10News at 11 p.m.
WHERE TO CHECK?
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov
Look for transportation carrier information, it has extensive lists on limo services in the state, the legit and otherwise.
Got a tip? I will listen
jwblog@10news.com
The California agency that's supposed to monitor the limousine business didn't listen to angry tipster, but we did. The tipster laid it all out--how a local limousine service doesn't think the laws apply to them. Our tipster was upset, how come he has to pay taxes, workers comp, insurance, all those extras that any legit business has to deal with these days, but some renegade outfit just blows off the rules? So it hardly seems fair that a limo company can offer the prom-goer a discounted price because it doesn't worry about silly little things like insurance for the passengers riding in the stretch. Why would anyone his or her kids ride in an "outlaw" limo in the first place? No excuses, it only takes a few minutes to check the California Public Utilities Commission Web site to find out if the company is licensed and insured. That's where we checked out Black Tie Limo of San Diego. Bottom line here, I sure wouldn't want my kids riding in an uninsured vehicle driven by someone whose training I have no clue about.
There is more to this back story. It's seems the CPUC website is the extent of that state agency's efforts to oversee the industry. It did a limo bust at Lindbergh Field a few years back (like shooting fish in a barrel) and one of the limo owners scooped up in the operation is the same man who is the central figure in our story tonight. Our tipster said he tried telling CPUC about Black Tie Limo but nothing happened.
That's why he talked with the 10News Investigative team and you can see for yourself the result of this tip -- tonight on 10News at 11 p.m.
WHERE TO CHECK?
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov
Look for transportation carrier information, it has extensive lists on limo services in the state, the legit and otherwise.
Got a tip? I will listen
jwblog@10news.com
Posted at 8:46 AM by jw
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