Press Release

PUC Urges Consumers to Use Certificated Limo Services, Reminds Them of New Website Feature to View Complaint History

Published on 5/11/2015

Filed under: Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – As wedding season approaches, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) urges consumers to check the backgrounds of limousine carriers to verify that they are authorized and properly insured. Using unauthorized transportation services could result in unsafe travel, high rates and unreliable service.

“Traveling to and from a wedding or special event should be a stress-free, enjoyable experience, with safety measures and adequate insurance guaranteed,” said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown. “When shopping for services and prices, we urge consumers to take a moment to double-check that a limousine service is PUC-certificated before booking it.”

Pennsylvania limousine services outside of the city of Philadelphia are required to obtain a PUC certificate of public convenience for transporting passengers within the state. The PUC monitors certificated carriers for driver and vehicle safety, insurance coverage, rates, territory and customer service. Carriers must charge rates in accordance with their official tariff on file with the PUC.

PUC recommends that consumers do not sign a contract for a limousine service that does not hold a PUC certificate number. Services without that number may not legally provide transportation service within the state outside of Philadelphia and may not be properly insured.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority has jurisdiction over limousines providing services within Philadelphia city limits, as well as from an airport, railroad station or hotel located in Philadelphia. Limousine carriers may hold operating authority from both the PUC and the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

For more information, consumers may visit the PUC website. To check the status of a carrier or check its violation history, consumers may contact the PUC toll free at 1-800-692-7380, or they may call one of the district offices closest to where the transportation will take place:

Harmarville 412-432-9303

Harrisburg 717-787-7598

Philadelphia 215-965-3721

Scranton 570-963-4590

Division Headquarters 717-783-5010

Additionally, consumers can view the complaint histories of certificated carriers. The search feature, launched in March 2015 on the PUC’s website, allows consumers to find and view formal complaints filed against all regulated utilities and suppliers. The Commission implemented the complaint tracking system to provide more transparency, making complaint information more easily accessible to the public.

Consumers should view complaints as only one measure of a company’s customer service. Complaints could concern billing issues, difficulty contacting the company, dissatisfaction with service or other issues. Consumers can search by company name, utility code or carrier ID. Complaints found on the database are formal complaints only; informal complaints filed with the Commission are not part of the public record.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” PAPowerSwitch on Facebook for easy access to information on electric shopping.

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Contact:

• Deputy Press Secretary
  717-787-5722