Many of your industry colleagues have chosen to join the only statewide organization specifically serving their interests. Here’s why…
The Taxicab Paratransit Association of California (TPAC) is a nonprofit trade association formed in 1968 to represent the interests of operators comprising the taxicab/paratransit industry of the state. Member companies range from the largest fleets to small owner-operated firms.
Mission Statement
Organizational Structure
Membership Types
Relationship to Other Industry-related Organizations
Benefits and Services
Educational Events
Mission Statement
The mission of the Taxicab Paratransit Association of California is to enhance the ability of member organizations to effectively and profitably serve the transportation needs of the public; provide timely information and educational opportunities to members; represent industry interests before legislative and regulatory bodies; and assist member organizations in dealing with special issues.
Organizational Structure
The association and its activities are governed by a set of bylaws and a Board of Directors made up of TPAC member company representatives. These representatives are elected annually by the membership at the Annual Meeting during the convention. Board members volunteer their time and serve without pay or reimbursement of expenses involved in attending Board meetings.
TPAC’s headquarters is in Sacramento, near the state Capitol. The Association employs full-time professional staff for administrative and operational functions. TPAC’s Executive Director is also an experienced lobbyist and represents the Association before the Legislature and regulatory bodies affecting the industry.
Operations are supported by each member company’s annual membership dues.
Membership Types
Regular Membership is available to individual proprietors, firms, partnerships, companies, or corporations that have an established place of business and are qualified and authorized to operate taxicabs or paratransit services by local governmental agencies.
Associate Membership is available to individuals, firms, partnerships, companies or corporations in industries or professions that provide goods and services to the industry.
Membership is applied for by completing the application form accompanying this brochure and paying the indicated dues amount.
Relationship to Other Industry-related Organizations
TPAC maintains open and regular communications with a variety of industry-related organizations at the state and national level to facilitate legislative and other organizational agendas. Of particular note is the Taxicab, Limousine, and Paratransit Association (TLPA) headquartered in Kensington, Maryland.
There are many members who belong to both TPAC and TLPA, and sometimes there is confusion about each organization’s role. TLPA is the national industry trade association, with members in most states and some foreign countries. TLPA deals with national legislative and regulatory issues in Washington, D.C., provides educational and informational services to members, and holds an annual convention and trade show at different locations in the United States. Focus is much the same as TPAC’s, but with a national perspective. TPAC’s perspective focuses on state issues within California.
TLPA and TPAC, while closely communicating and assisting one another, are independent, autonomous organizations with separate dues structures and memberships. It is common for industries and professions to have state, regional, and national associations, all separate from one another. Each has its own unique scope of operation in service to the industry. They complement one another rather than conflict in their programs. TPAC encourages California companies to hold membership in both TPAC and TLPA and to support representation and services at the national level.
Benefits and Services
Government Relations/Legal
• Full-time legislative and regulatory agency representation, including monitoring, lobbying, and reporting on usually, more than 25 measures of concern to the industry.
• The Legislative Involvement For Taxicab Paratransit Association of California Political Action Committee (LIFTPAC) contributes funds to the campaigns of state legislators who support our industry’s point of view.
• Clearinghouse for information on Employment Development Department (EDD) and Department of Industrial Relations independent contractor/employee audit activity within the industry, sharing such information with TPAC members confronting an audit situation.
• Sample basic lease agreement developed by TPAC that EDD has reviewed and ruled to be representative of an agreement that confers independent contractor status for drivers.
• Continuing involvement in precedent-setting court cases in the area of driver classification of independence versus employment.
Products and Services
• Maintain a Reward Fund Program to assist in the apprehension of persons attacking and/or injuring drivers. Reward informants whose information leads to the arrest and conviction of the assailant. Distribute to members decals to place in the windows of their vehicles as a deterrent to potential violent acts.
• Publish an annual TPAC membership directory
• Distribute periodic reports on legislative and regulatory issues
• Maintain a newspaper clipping service available to members as a subscription, providing screened news articles relating to the industry from major daily California publications
• Provide a money-saving endorsed group automobile liability insurance program exclusively for members
• Respond to individual member requests for information and assistance on specific issues
Educational Events
• Conduct special seminars as required on issues of immediate concern at different locations throughout the state.
• Annual Convention and Trade Show held at different locations each year with educational programs and social events.
Please consider this your invitation to join TPAC, your industry’s state trade association, and take advantage of the many services available to assist you in being as successful as possible in your business.