FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: PUC Press Office, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov
PUC INVESTIGATIONS RESULT IN ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AND FINES IMPOSED ON VARIOUS LIMOUSINES, SHUTTLES, AND BUS COMPANIES
SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2007 - During the second quarter of 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission's (PUC) Consumer Protection and Safety Division, Transportation Enforcement Section, took the following enforcement actions against limousine, bus, and shuttle companies for violations of the Public Utilities Code, and PUC rules and regulations including General Order 157-D.
Administrative Citation
Eight companies were cited and fined (totaling $35,250) for violations ranging from:
1. Operated with no valid authority (suspension, revocation, expiration, or unlicensed)
2. Operated with no evidence of public liability insurance (PLPD) on file
3. Failed to enroll drivers in DMV Pull Notice program
4. Failed to enroll drivers in a mandatory Drug and Alcohol program
5. Engaged employees without procuring evidence of workers' compensation insurance
6. Failed to comply with airport rules and regulations
7. General Order 157 violations (current equipment list, waybills)
Companies cited are:
1. Alexandre Sabbi Melgarejo dba Giant Reef Limo, San Francisco (TCP 19817)
2. Elektra Corporate Charters LLC dba Corporate Charters, Santa Barbara (TCP 19967)
3. Irving Stoller dba At Your Service Airport, Thousand Palms, (TCP-10886)
4. Lidia Susana Paredes dba LP Express, La Puente (TCP 18962)
5. Limousine Link and Sedan Services Inc dba Limousine Link, Santa Barbara (TCP 11416)
6. Metro Express, Inc, Las Vegas, NV (TCP 20947) - Carrier is out of business
7. Transportes Ejecutivos de Occidente, West Hills (PSC 20373- pending)
8. Xiaoping Tian dba Soogle Tours and Travel, Burlingame (TCP 19825)
9. Nicholas A. Vasquez, dba Ascot Limousines, San Diego, (TCP-14933)
10. James Kim dba Premium Transportation Company, Los Angeles (TCP 11855-P)
11. American Transportation Systems, Los Angeles (TCP 16627A)
12. Arrow Town Car and Limousine Service Inc., Los Angeles (TCP 16463P)
Criminal Filing
PUC staff investigations of unlicensed operations resulted in five passenger carriers being charged criminally for violating the PUC's rules and regulations. PUC staff submitted its report to the appropriate City Attorney's office requesting a criminal complaint be filed against these five unlicensed companies:
1. Boyce E. Mosely, Jr. and Moochi Inc., Lawndale (TCP- 16341): In Case # SCO7B1243, the Burbank City Attorney's Office charged carrier with one count each of operating without a certificate and during a period of suspension (failure to pass a California Highway Patrol (CHP) inspection). Boyce E. Mosely Jr. was found guilty on one count of operating during a period of suspension. He was sentenced to 36-month summary probation, and ordered to pay $300 fine, $660 state penalty fund assessment, $135 court fees, $100 restitution to Victims Fund, and $500 PUC investigative cost.
2. Preferred Livery Corporation, Rancho Cucamonga (TCP 14180): In Case # 7WA00211, the West Los Angeles Court ordered the carrier to pay $150 in PUC investigative costs for operating at LAX airport without a PUC permit.
3. William Lawrence Mills dba Reliable Transportation, Los Angeles (TCP- None): In Case # 7IG02292, the City of Inglewood City Attorney's office charged the carrier (one count) for continued operations without a permit, no evidence of public liability insurance, and failure to provide staff with records. Arraignment is scheduled for September 4, 2007.
4. Benito Vasquez dba El Camino Transportation, Inglewood (TCP-None): In Case # 7IG02293, the City of Inglewood City Attorney's office charged carrier for continued operations without a permit and failure to provide PUC staff with records. Arraignment is scheduled for September 4, 2007.
5. Danyelle Bayvette Butler: In Case # SCO7CA02484, the Los Angeles City Attorney's office charged carrier for operating and advertising without PUC authority, and no evidence of public liability insurance coverage. The carrier was charged with 11 counts including PUC 5371 (operating without PUC authority). At arraignment held on June 19, 2007, Ms. Butler was released on her on recognizance and ordered not to operate until in fill compliance with all rules and regulations. Pre-trial hearing is set for August 8, 2007.
Official Notice
Six companies were issued Official Notice for violation of General Order 157 (waybill documentation, failure to update equipment list, or in DMV Pull Notice and drug testing programs violations). Companies cited are:
1. Behdokht Edalati and Anthony Dilworth dba La Schick Rockview Enterprise, Vallejo (TCP-20016)
2. Edvard Abrahamyan dba Private Limousine Service, Petaluma (TCP-19705)
3. Lakeshore Pacific Enterprises Inc., Rocklin (TCP-12450)
4. Peace Transportation, San Diego (TCP-18270)
5. Randy Tooker dba Lake Forest Limousine, Lake Forest (TCP-11738)
6. Sarkis Djanibekyan dba Crystal Crown Limousine Service, North Hollywood (TCP-14795)
Cease and Desist Notice
Thirty-seven cease and desist notices were issued to the passenger carriers for operating and advertising without a valid permit. These companies are:
1. 1st American Limo, Corona (TCP-16165)
2. All Starz Limousine Inc., Anaheim (TCP-16983)
3. Amanti Limousine, Escondido (TCP-None)
4. Arti Limousine, San Diego (TCP-21082)
5. Buslimo Direct, Monterey Park (PSC-21278)
6. Carlos E. Rodriguez dba Destiny Limousine Services, Stockton (TCP 3830- Denied)
7. Cody Osborne dba C and C Limousine, Sacramento (TCP-None)
8. Dwain O'Dell dba Avanti Limousine, Costa Mesa (TCP-8979)
9. Frank Vilt dba Gold Country Limousine, Shingle Springs (TCP-11136)
10. Golden Limousine, Riverside (TCP-15940)
11. Hanling Kong dba James Express, San Francisco (TCP-20624)
12. Honorina Nulud dba Tannulud Corporation, Alameda (TCP-21253-pending)
13. Jesus and Lorena Beltran dba Lorena's Limousine, Oxnard (TCP-12439)
14. Jesus Yepez dba GLI Sedan Service, Los Angeles (TCP-18796)
15. Jimmy Dang dba Johns Limousine Service/White Knight International, Inc., Fountain Valley (TCP-None)
16. Jin Sheng Zheng dba X Y Shuttle, Sunnyvale (TCP-None)
17. Jose Carbrera dba Limo One, Hanford (TCP-20696)
18. Lee Jones and Margaret Carpenter dba Tayelor Made Transportation, Chico (TCP-21037)
19. Leonid Slootsky dba. Capitol Limo and Sedan Service, San Francisco (TCP-7374)
20. M.J. Gilbert Construction Company, Tracy (TCP-None)
21. Manchester Luxury Transportation, San Diego (TCP-18291)
22. Mark Arata dba Diamond Limousine, Newbury Park (TCP-None)
23. Nora Limousine SVC, Mission Viejo (TCP-16327)
24. Odir Morales dba Express Enterprises, Los Angeles (TCP-12221)
25. One Limo's Inc., Tracy (TCP-21670-Pending)
26. Orange County Limousine LLC, Yorba Linda (TCP-186230-Revoked)
27. Rigoberto Torres dba Little Irma's Tours, Los Angeles (TCP-none)
28. Robert E. and Gina Van Der Geugten dba Infinity Charter Transportation, Panorama City (TCP-12170-Revoked)
29. Robert Solachnek dba Black and White Transportation, Los Angeles (TCP-8974)
30. Santa Barbara Tours LLC dba Captain Jack's, Santa Barbara (TCP-None)
31. Sol Azteca Transportation Group, Inc., San Diego (PSC-19630)
32. South Coast Limousine, Aliso Viejo (TCP-17029)
33. TFT Limos of Orange County, Yorba Linda (TCP-None)
34. US Transportation LLC, Shuttle Bug, Mission Viejo (TCP 22234-Pending)
35. Victory Transportation, El Cajon (TCP-21912-Pending)
36. Vidal Jara dba V & H Limousine, El Centro (TCP-none)
37. Vincent Cardinalli dba Cypress West, Monterey (TCP-10406)
Joint safety and enforcement operations
PUC staff participated in seven multi-agency (PUC, CHP, Airport Police, Local Police Department, Sheriff Department, and Airport Landside Operations) enforcement efforts on passenger carriers (limousines, shuttles, tour buses) at various major airports and targeted areas throughout the state. The PUC's role is to ensure that these companies are properly licensed with PUC and airport permits, while the CHP inspects the vehicles for Vehicle Code violations (mechanical violations, brakes, steering wheels, balding tires, improper driver's license.
1. Pala Casino - Temecula - April 17, 2007- 15 buses during the operation and issued notice to correct (violations) and misdemeanor warnings to bus operators. Five buses were cited for PUC code violations including operation during suspension, failure to have workers compensation insurance on file with the PUC, and operating with a "Pending" permit. CHP placed two buses out of service for mechanical violations.
2. San Ysidro Border Crossings - April 17, 2007- Six carriers were cited for various PUC violations including no workers' compensation insurance on file with the PUC, no operating authority and failure to display PSC # on vehicle. San Diego Police issued seven Notices to Appear Citations for Vehicle Code violations and the CHP impounded three vehicles for CVC driver license violations.
3. San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) - April 18, 2007 - 87 vehicles (limousines, buses and shuttles) were pulled over for the inspection. The PUC issued seven Misdemeanor Warnings for unlicensed operations and 44 Notice to Correct Violations (waybills ID). The CHP inspected 44 vehicles, placed eight vehicles out of service mostly for driver's license problems, and issued 14 citations ranging from driver's license, registration, to tinted windows.
4. Barona Casino-Lakeside - May 02, 2007- 22 bus/vans were pulled over for the inspection. PUC staff issued four Notices to Correct Violations for minor violations such as not having the correct TCP number displayed on vehicles. All operators held valid PUC license. The CHP placed two buses out of service for mechanical violations.
5. John Wayne Airport-Santa Ana - May 30, 2007 - 22 vehicles were pulled over for inspection. The PUC issued four Notices to Correct for minor violations (waybills). All operators held valid PUC license. The CHP placed two vehicles (non-PUC regulated) out of service of mechanical reasons.
6. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) - May 23, 2007 - 103 (limousines, buses and shuttles) were pulled over for the inspection. The PUC issued eight Misdemeanor Warnings for unlicensed operations and 33 Notice to Correct Violations (waybills ID). The CHP inspected 47 vehicles, issued 11 citations, and placed five vehicles out of service for mechanical violations.
7. Oakland International Airport (OAK) - June 7, 2007 - 118 vehicles (limousines, buses and shuttles) were pulled over for the inspection. The PUC issued two Misdemeanor Warnings for unlicensed operations and 33 Notice to Correct Violations (waybills ID, possible WKCP violations). The CHP issued 18 citations and placed eight vehicles out of service for mechanical violations.
For more information, please visit the PUC's website at www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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