NLA and NSVRC Raise Awareness of Sexual Assault By Hired Drivers

The responsibilities of Ed Grech, CEO of Grech Motors, includes managing the daily operations and the marketing aspects of the company. Their company manufactures and sells high-end buses and Sprinter vans. Ed Grech also gives back to the automotive community by being a sponsor for organizations like the National Limousine Association (NLA).

In response to an increase of alleged sexual assaults involving ride-hailing apps, National Limousine Association’s Ride Responsibly initiative and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) are collaborating to help spread awareness. This campaign debuts with an educational video, which will star activist and actress Pamela Anderson.

“The Driving Game!” is a video that aims to educate passengers who use vehicle-hailing apps to be more vigilant, as well as to improve their overall safety. Lighthearted in tone, the Public Service Announcement (PSA) emphasizes one crucial point: Passengers cannot always vet their drivers, but the application’s owners should be able to.

According to Gary Buffo, president of the NLA, their partnership with the NSVRC is crucial in bringing awareness to this problem. Part of their goal is to establish a better nationwide standard when it comes to background checks, including collecting finger prints and requiring drug tests.

The NSRVC produces and distributes resources that advocate stricter regulations to increase rider safety. It collaborates with various associations such as NLA, working to create various awareness campaigns in order to bring these issues to light.

The Benefits of Using a Shuttle Bus Service

 


Ed Grech is the founder and CEO of Grech Motors, a manufacturer in the ground transportation industry. With more than 30 years of experience, Ed Grech and his team focus on manufacturing luxury minicoaches for companies who provide shuttle services to clients.

The benefits of using a shuttle bus service are numerous and include the following:

1. Safety. Because shuttle bus drivers are professionals, shuttle service eliminates the risk associated with carpooling.

2. Convenience. A shuttle bus also ensures that all passengers arrive at their destination at the same time. Additionally, reserving a single shuttle saves time that would have otherwise been spent booking multiple vehicles.

3. Amenities. In many cases, hiring a shuttle bus will also give the traveling party access to a number of amenities that can’t be found in cars or public transport. These can include more comfortable seats, power outlets to charge mobile devices, additional storage space, and temperature controls to make long journeys more enjoyable.

4. Affordability. Costs will also be reduced as you are hiring only one vehicle, as opposed to three or four.

Grech Motors' GM40 and GM33 Minicoach Models

A vehicle manufacturer with offices based in Riverside, California, Ed Grech focuses on the production process of luxury minicoaches to meet the needs of high-end travel experience providers. Currently, Ed Grech’s company Grech Motors manufactures seven minicoach models, including the GM40 and the GM33.

The GM40 minicoach is equipped with a 6.7L Cummins diesel engine and an Allison 2500 transmission. Each of the 39 seats in this model features Grech Elite seat furnishings and armrests. The vehicle body is made out of a high-strength steel tube cage with an aircraft-grade aluminum skin. It is also reinforced with fiberglass skirts and a three-quarter-inch composite sub floor made from marine-grade plywood. The GM40’s interior includes 6 LCD monitors for entertainment, overhead luggage racks, and individual reading lights.

The GM33 is built on the Ford F-550 chassis, sharing similar standard features as the GM40 model, which is built on the Freightliner M2 chassis. The slightly smaller GM33, however, has a seating capacity of 28 people with Grech Leggero seats. Four LCD monitors as well as a DVD player are built into this model.

All of Grech Motors’ minicoach models include a 5 year / 100,000 mile structural warranty and a 4 year / 50,000 mile limited warranty.

Three Lessons Business Owners Can Draw from Pilots

Grech Motors founder Ed Grech was recently featured in Chauffer Driven, the ground transportation industry’s most widely circulated publication. The article pointed out some of the lessons Ed Grech has drawn from his 10 years of experience as a pilot. Below are a few ways in which flying an aircraft corresponds to running a successful business. 

Just like making business decisions, flying is both an art and a science. Objectivity and quantitative research are vital, but the final choice often comes down to a leader’s carefully honed insight and instinct. 

Keeping calm under pressure is essential in both exercises. Minor miscalculations in flight can result in serious consequences, perhaps even life-threatening ones, yet pilots must stay cool and clear-headed in order to execute their missions successfully. Likewise, a personal career and the livelihood of employees rest on the shoulders of many business owners. They need to navigate investments and major company decisions with keen focus during those demanding moments. 

Trust is a must. It often takes a whole crew to get a plane off the ground. The pilot puts his or her life in the hands of a copilot, air traffic controllers, mechanics, and others. Similarly, as a business grows, it is often essential for an executive to have staff whom he or she trusts implicitly to execute decisions on a day-to-day basis.

NLA Launches the Ride Responsibly Campaign

Ed Grech is the founder and CEO of Grech Motors, a California-based vehicle manufacturer. To support the luxury ground transportation industry, Ed Grech is also involved with the National Limousine Association (NLA).

The NLA exists as a nonprofit association dedicated to empowering limousine operators, manufacturers, and other small associations. To protect and pursue the interests of the high-end ground transportation industry, NLA gathers educational resources produced by operators from different parts of the globe. Members of the organization are also committed to professional, responsible, safe, and reliable services, to ensure client confidence.

In line with its dedication to professionalizing the luxury chauffeured vehicle industry, NLA created and launched its Ride Responsibly campaign. Established in 2015, the Ride Responsibly campaign focuses on enlightening members of the public on their rights as passengers and what they should expect from service providers. NLA was also able to create ground transportation standards, such as the Passenger Bill of Rights and Driver Duty of Care, through the Ride Responsibly campaign.

Chauffeur Driven Magazine Showcases International Perspectives

Ed Grech of Grech Motors is a national leader in luxury bus manufacturing. In addition to creating some of the most in-demand minicoaches in the nation, Ed Grech regularly sponsors the Chauffeur Driven Show, produced by Chauffeur Driven Magazine, an industry favorite. 

Since 2012, Chauffeur Driven Magazine has been the chauffeured ground transportation industry's most popular publication. It brings the latest developments from the transportation sector straight to readers, striving to arm them with information and help their business thrive. Chauffeur Driven recently interviewed transportation-industry operators from 15 different nations to gauge international conditions and see how the United States fits in. 

Fuel cost stood out as an area of disparity across different nations. Many foreign companies routinely pay more than $5 USD per gallon of fuel, which is often compounded by taxes approaching 50 percent. Operators in Holland and Hong Kong regularly pay more than $7 per gallon. 

The influence of the Euro has been profound in some countries. Most transportation industry operators are pleased by the changes the Euro has brought, such as improved ease of billing in international markets. Using the same currency decreases banking and transactional costs, another factor foreign operators appreciate.

Ford’s Qualified Vehicle Modifier Program - Ensuring Coach Quality

 



As head of Grech Motors in Riverside, California, Ed Grech leads the premier manufacturer of high-end bus and coaches, including Sprinter vans. Committed to quality and innovation, Ed Grech maintains his company as one that has consistently achieved certification through Ford’s Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program since its launch 25 years ago.

The QVM program fills a critical industry role by ensuring Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards compliance. Involving annual facility reviews and inspections, it also ensures that vehicles meet internal conversion guidelines set by Lincoln and Ford. With continuous improvement a foundational value, QVM program participation assures customers that finished high-end products are reliable and rigorously tested.

Coachbuilders that maintain QVM program certification design their offerings with the whole vehicle in mind and well integrated capabilities and features. Grech Motors incorporates a number of innovative standard features into its models, including panoramic front-viewing windows and electric plug entry doors.