Did you know the tolls involved in getting out to those New York airports from Rockland or Bergen County will generally cost a car service at least $21 alone? It’s the magic number for those dreaded Queens airports. To break it down, the rocket science is as follows: The George Washington Bridge is an $8 one-way crossing.  The RFK bridge (formerly the Triborough Bridge) is $6.50 each way. Same goes for the Whitestone. It’s practically unavoidable. If you’re fortunate enough to be in position to take the Lincoln Tunnel and go the Queens Midtown Tunnel ($4.50 each way) route, you may save a few dollars. Time, not so much. Comparable to a significantly quicker and direct ride to Newark Airport, much less fuel spent and what could be less then 6$ of round trip tolls, it should be a no brainer. By the way, did you know they even recently opened up a Newark Airport ramp off of the Garden State Parkway at Exit 142? Given the right time of day, it could be a shorter, more direct way of going. These costs will always factor into the price you pay for the service both to and from.

You may even be one of the “cuts every corner to save” types of person. You know,  the person who always seems to rely heavily on the special someone who never seems to say no when you ask them for a lift to the airport? Well, here’s an experiment that will surely validate and drive home the claim. Try and ask them to take you to JFK or LGA. If the facial expression isn’t a dead giveaway,  the reluctance in their answer may be all you need to see. Remember, what could possibly be a 2 hour ride to the airport for you could be the same amount of time for the driver on the return home. While that may seem the ultimate in cheap airport transportation, think $40 spent on fuel and tolls minimum on that one trip alone.

If there is a legitimate reason to go with one of the 2 major New York Airports, please do not hesitate to do so. Newark Airport is definitely far from perfect! Having more then one option is a good thing. Perhaps flight availability or a really, really major discrepancy in price (I’d personally recommend a cost difference of at least $100 or more) as a legit reason to stretch out to Queens. Otherwise,  even with the delays and all, Newark is the best bet of the big 3 airports for the Rockland or Bergen County Limo traveler.

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It’s a common phrase often used but never seemingly followed. The Lincoln Town Car has serviced the limousine and “Black Car” industry for decades. A vehicle that combined durability with a distinct style of class from head to toe, Lincoln had a produced a vehicle that really had no rivals. Where companies like Mercury and Cadillac produced respectable industry vehicles,  their fleet presence was most often dwarfed and surrounded in company parking lots by the Town Car. It wasn’t a knock at the quality of the Mercury or Cadillac but a testament to the greatness of the Town Car. Ford was genius with their concept. They produced a vehicle that would maintain it’s classy look for years to come by offering car service companies vehicles that always’s seemed to have a new age body style, year after year. A trunk design big enough to fit multiple pieces of large luggage, the Town Car could accommodate an entire group of people and still offer the legroom to stretch out.  The quality of the interior was no slouch either. Matching and at times exceeding the plush of other high end luxury vehicles on the market, Lincoln’s version of quality could be had for less than half of the price. A car that could push the limits of the odometer, still look good and drive like the day it left the dealership lot, the All-American car could be serviced with genuine parts that could be had at dirt cheap prices.

With the announcement of the discontinuation of the Lincoln Town Car, limousine and car services alike have been left scrambling to find replacement vehicles that can match the price, durability and high class look. While many car manufacturers have stepped up to the plate and have attempted to overtake the throne once held by Ford, industry consensus confirms nobody has been able to generate anything more then a small gust of wind. While the usual suspects, which still include the Town Car, Grand Marquee along with various models by Cadillac continue to be the preferred vehicle of choice for many fleets, reality will soon begin to set in. Rivals have slowly found cracks in the foundation and are beginning to leak through into the luxury car service industry. Over the past couple years, prominent companies such as Lexus and BMW have introduced extended versions of their high end models geared specifically toward the industry. Even disregarded and previous dark horse company Hyundai has emerged with a vehicle of its own. Dubbed the “Equus,” Hyundai has broke free of its traditional reputation of inferiority and appears to have a delivered a vehicle that will pose a major threat to the limo industry car manufacturers.

Hyundai, a future limo alternative!???

It’s no question that the future of the limousine industry will ultimately rest upon the innovations of electric and green related technology. For now, the stakes are getting higher as the 2.0 version of the limousine and car service flagship vehicle continues to remain in a serious state of question. With the death of the Lincoln Town Car, the footprint of some large shoes will need to be filled.

- Joe, Limo Services in New Jersey and Bergen County Car Service

1. Customer Service

Good customer service is critical and one of the most easily distinguished characteristics of a limousine company. It starts with the very first phone call and trickles its way down to all aspects of the service. Ask yourself if the initial communication was handled with priority and in a relaxed, confident and professional manner. Are ride confirmation e-mails being sent and are calls made prior to the pickup date? Are the drivers held to a strict 5 minute early pickup policy? Failure to meet some of the basic criteria can foreshadow a multitude of potential conflicts that could ultimately affect your travel arrangements. If there is any suspicion or doubt in your experience with the customer service, do not leave your itinerary in their hands..

2. Safety

Want to know a small secret about New Jersey rules and regulations regarding chauffeurs? They are subject to mandatory drug tests, background checks and fingerprinting. If there is ever anything of question or a particular criminal history that the state has deemed unsuitable, there is no chance of becoming a Limousine driver. The state of New Jersey has gone distances to make sure companies are in complete compliance with the law and enforce violations, fines and suspensions to those who disregard the rules of the road. If you have concern about the compliance of a company, talk to an official and make sure they at least meet the minimum requirements for safety practices.

3. Reliability

It’s negligence on the part of the customer to think that car service companies don’t make mistakes. Limousine services are like any other business, a product of their very own environment or in this case, management. Unfortunately, with different degrees of managing competence comes both good and bad. At times, many services will not know how to say no and run themselves thin. Simply put, 10 cars for 11 jobs. 10 cars, 9 jobs but only 8 on duty chauffeurs. The scenarios are endless. A professional Limo company will plan and prepare well ahead of time. When the chauffeur arrives 5 minutes early in a clean, late year vehicle and gets the customer to their destination safely and with efficiency, peace of mind is established. That is what the definition of reliability is.

4. Fleet

There is nothing worse then paying for luxury car service only to be picked up in, well, something not so luxurious. Companies who focus on proper fleet maintenance, from the everyday car washes to frequent oil changes, show the companies dedication to true luxury car service. The extra care and maintenance programs promote clean, durable and always classy looking vehicles. For the services who tend to cut corners, the effects of the neglected fleet vehicles are as obvious as day. The first time you decide to go with an unfamiliar company, make sure to inquire about the nature of the fleet.

5. License and Registration

Would you trust having surgery with an unqualified doctor only to save a few dollars? Didn’t think so! Such is true but unfortunately, commonplace in the limousine industry. Illegal, unauthorized and uninsured vehicles often dominate the daily service section of well known classified publications . Rogue companies with personally registered and insured vehicles will flood the streets of cities trying to solicit work from the unsuspecting customer. The Limousine registration process is tedious. The insurance policies are high. The system is designed and in place for the protection of the customer. New Jersey residents must be smart and look out for the Limousine designation, or OL markings on the license plate. That’s your way of knowing that we’ve got you covered.

Be sure to consider these key factors when choosing your NJ limo transportation service. Too many times, misinformed customers take companies for granted only to be letdown in the end. The cost to pay for a missed appointment or flight could devastating. Always remember, in the limo business, no two companies are created equal.

- Joe

You didn’t think we’d actually have a blog to just rant and rave about our lavish lifestyles now did you.  I mean let’s face it, does anybody really want to know what goes on in the everyday lives of the big shots over here at Metropro? In case you actually were wondering, the answer is a whole lot of nothing! We’re sitting at the round table brainstorming ideas on how to make you happy and still maintain some level of profitability. All jokes aside, if you’re in need of the best car service in town and like to save money (and who doesn’t?), put the scissors away. We’ve made it a little easier. The benefit of following our blog here, among other things, is to take the advantage of the monthly specials and deals we have to offer… and there will be plenty. Mention the blog’s particular deal of the month, and take advantage of it. Simple huh?

Stay tuned for the February specials and make Metropro your choice for luxury car services!

- Joe