The Maryland Limousine Association was notified by the Public Service Commission Director of Transportation, Cliff Watts, that they have been assured by officials at BWI Airport that the AVIS/We Drive U program would be a violation of the Avis airport contractual agreement and would additionally require licensing by the Public Service Commission.

The MLA has been working with Director Watts to enforce the new laws regarding unlicensed operators in the state. According to Joanna Fridinger, president of the Maryland Limousine Association, “This is great news for operators in Maryland. We want everyone to operate according to the same set of rules. This ruling does that. We are happy to be able to continue to foster a good working relationship with the Public Service Commission.”

Other airports in the country have also ruled to not allow the Avis/We Drive U program to operate in their airports. The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey rendered the model illegal this summer. Operators across the country are seeking opinions of their local officials on the Avis/We Drive U model. New York City Taxi and Limousine Commissioner, Matthew Daus, last month sent a second letter to Avis requesting clarification of intent regarding the city of New York giving them an end of the month deadline to respond. The commissioner has promised the New York associations that he will render an opinion at that time.

Source: Linda M. Moore, LCT Magazine