Download
Template Letter
Link to Online Petition
Dear Friend of PlanetTran,
In response to the growing
demand for our environmentally responsible car service, PlanetTran has
applied to amend its livery license in the City of Cambridge to include more vehicles. Since Feb. 2000, the License Commission has
placed a moratorium, or cap, on these licenses, pending a needs assessment,
vehicle inspections, and driver approvals.
In November 2003, the Commission made exception to the moratorium by
granting PlanetTran a single vehicle license and the right to base operations
in Cambridge,
and again in May 2004 for additional vehicles, because the service is unique,
in demand, and beneficial to the community at large. In order to continue to grow in Cambridge we must again
demonstrate these three reasons to the License Commission to again make
exception to the moratorium and grant us the additional vehicles we need to
continue meeting the overwhelming demand for our service.
As the first service of its
kind in the Nation and only fleet of hybrids in Boston in public auto service, the
uniqueness of the concept is the same as it was in 2003. The benefits to the community at large are
apparent in the simple fuel economy factor (3 – 4 times) comparison
between hybrid cars and taxis and limos.
This point is supported by work done within the City of Cambridge
Department of Transportation and the Environment. Regarding demand, we have grown ten-fold in
the past year, with no advertising, little direct sales, and enormous amounts
of referral business from satisfied customers who find value in our uniquely
responsible service.
In order to demonstrate this
demand, we need your help. As a customer, supporter, or acquaintance of
PlanetTran, we sincerely hope you appreciate the value of the service we
provide. If you could take a few
moments to sign our online
petition or write to the
Cambridge License Commission on behalf of PlanetTran it would go a long
way toward convincing them that our service is valuable and appreciated by
the residents of Cambridge. Additionally, we would be most appreciative
if you shared this with neighbors and colleagues who are residents, as well
as those who may work here in Cambridge.
This letter can
be signed and sent to the committee. If
you would prefer, we encourage you to express in your own (reasonable and
courteous) words your support for our license amendment application. The letter expresses some of the sentiments
you may want to include in any letter you send. For your friends or colleagues who may not
have had the opportunity to use our service yet, please forward them this
link.
As a resident and homeowner in Cambridge, I have a
strong desire to build this business here, rather than in a nearby
municipality. The City of Cambridge has demonstrated a genuine commitment to
innovative small businesses, especially those which are environmentally
responsible and I hope, with your help, we can show the license commission
that consumers who live in, work in, or visit Cambridge support the continued growth of
businesses like PlanetTran.
Sincerely,
R. Seth Riney, CEO and Founder
PlanetTran, LLC
1 Broadway, 14th
Floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
