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President Vladimir Putin’s Limousine Draws Complaint From Activists
A motorist group claims that the limousine that transported Russian President Vladimir Putin during his recent inaugural celebrations was in violation of the law and should be fined like any other vehicle on Russia’s roadways. After winning an unprecedented third term in office, Putin was recently transported throughout Moscow in a sleek black limo that did not have the required front license plate. His motorcade included his limo, police motorcycles, black minivans and lots of security personnel. The Blue Buckets, a Russian motorist rights society, have issued a complaint wondering how so many law enforcement personnel could overlook such an obvious disregard for the law.
The Blue Buckets have asked that the driver of the presidential limo be located and fined like any other driver without the required front license plate. Moscow police took their time reacting to the complaint and explained that the president’s limo was not in violation of the law. They said that the limo could drive on Moscow streets without the license plate because the streets had been cleared of all traffic for the newly elected president. A spokesman for the State Traffic Inspection Administration said that because there was no regular traffic present, normal "traffic rules did not apply."
He said that the occasion was like a motor race or Victory Day Parade on Red Square and added, "In these cases there is no regular traffic, and military hardware and racing cars drive without license plates."
By law, Moscow police are required to respond to complaints within one month. However, a Blue Buckets spokesperson told the Russian press that Moscow police were also in violation, as it took them more than two months to respond to the complaint. The group maintains that empty streets or not, the limo driver should be found and pay the 5,000 rubles ($150) fine or have his or her license suspended for three months like any other driver. The Putin administration has not responded to the complaint.
Here in San Francisco, you don’t have to be a head of state to receive the presidential treatment when you want to rent a Bay Area limousine, party bus, classic car or SUV limo. All you have to do is call us at 800-339-8936 to make a reservation! We treat all our guests like the VIPs they are and go the extra mile to ensure that everyone has a great time. So, the next time you need a San Francisco limo to make a special occasion even more special, just give us a call at NLS Limo!
Federal Government Claims It Owns Fewer Limousines
The General Services Administration (GSA) has refuted claims by some government watchdog groups that the federal government owns more limousines now than at any other time in the nation’s history. According to the GSA, the number of limos in the federal fleet is in sharp decline and reflects the belt-tightening occurring in nearly all branches of government. However, critics say that the decline is due to bureaucrats who have redefined what types of vehicles can be classified as limousines.
The Center for Public Integrity, a non-partisan government watchdog group, published a report last year that said the number of limousines owned by the federal government had skyrocketed during the Obama administration. They said that when President Obama took office in 2008, the government owned 238 limos and that by 2010 that number had ballooned to 412. The GSA’s most recent findings indicate that the government owned only 158 limousines in 2011. Responding to the GSA’s findings, the Center for Public Integrity said that the sharp decline was mostly due to reclassifying the term “limousine” by excluding shuttle buses and other vehicles capable of transporting larger groups of people.
The Center claims that new GSA guidelines classify a limousine as “a vehicle with a lengthened wheelbase, generally driven by a dedicated driver with possible customization, including ‘privacy panels’ and stretching for capacity and comfort."
The Center also reports that the GSA instructed federal agencies that "vehicles, including shuttle buses, without the aforementioned characteristics should not be reported as limousines."
At NLS Limo, we classify our San Francisco limousines, shuttle buses, SUV limos and other luxury ground transportation options as “vehicles with a longer wheelbase driven by a dedicated professional chauffeur designed, engineered and maintained to provide our guests with a fun, luxurious and entirely wonderful time at very affordable prices.”
Admittedly, we have not submitted our definition to the GSA for their review. If you choose one of our Bay Area limos, party buses, luxury sedans or other luxury vehicles for an upcoming special occasion, we’re confident that you’ll agree with our definition. In fact, instead of reducing our fleet of limos, we are constantly adding new models in order to better serve our guests for all their luxury ground transportation needs! If you would like to reserve a San Francisco limo for an upcoming event, just give us a call today at 800-339-8936! We welcome any inquiries by the Center for Public Integrity.
Cancer Patients Enjoy Limo Ride Despite Canceled College World Series Game
Some young cancer patients from the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha received a special treat from supporters recently when they were awarded a limousine ride to a College World Series game at TD Ameritrade Park. Although rain clouds did not cooperate and the scheduled game was rained out, the patients still enjoyed being pampered and treated to a luxurious ride in their limo. The majority of the limo guests were teenagers who are either undergoing cancer treatment or have recently completed it at the Medical Center.
Omaha hosts the College World Series each year, and Child Life Services specialists at the hospital host an annual outing that provides patients with great seats behind home plate for one of the games. This and other Teen Night Out events allow young cancer patients to spend time together and enjoy some fun while they deal with the physical and emotional difficulties of cancer treatment.
“It makes you feel more normal,” said patient Grace Fitting, 22, who became friends with fellow bone cancer survivor Aly Poteet through the Center’s program.
“You don’t feel like such a freak,” said her friend.
Dillon Hilger, 15, was especially excited to attend the game. An accomplished high school athlete, he had just finished undergoing a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation treatment to treat his cancer. On one arm, he has a tattoo with a pink ribbon with the date February 15, 2012, the date he began receiving cancer treatment. His cancer is currently in remission, and he has returned to lifting weights and playing basketball.
He said, “It’s nice that people care enough to send donations so kids who can’t really do too much can have fun for a night or two.”
It certainly is nice that this organization treats cancer patients to a limo ride and great tickets to the ball game. Here in the Bay Area, we work with similar groups to provide limo rides to deserving recipients who have overcome or are in the process of overcoming similar hurdles. If you know someone who could use a break from difficult circumstances and you would like to treat them to something fun, rent one of our San Francisco limousines for transportation to a concert, sporting event or other special destination. Our fleet of Bay Area limo rentals can accommodate groups of all sizes, and our reasonable rates make it easy and affordable to provide a smile to those who could use one. For more information and to reserve a San Francisco limo, party bus, classic car or other modes of luxury transportation, call us at NLS Limo today at 800-339-8936.
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