Transportation

Experience

Our Transportation Practice Group, under the guidance of Matthew W. Daus - Founder and Chair, is dedicated to serving ground transportation and related businesses. We counsel companies of all sizes on a broad range of transportation matters, including regulatory compliance, strategic planning, administrative law, and public policy throughout the United States and internationally.

We also work with government regulators - both domestic and foreign - that seek our assistance in improving their transportation services or re-engineering their systems and infrastructure.

Our attorneys combine regulatory knowledge, a multidisciplinary approach, and a solid grasp of the transportation industry's unique operations and issues to solve complex legal problems and help clients achieve their business goals. At the same time, we never lose sight of the need to promote public safety and enhance customer service.

Our services include:

  • helping clients comply with the complex legal and regulatory framework overseen by national, state, and local taxi and limousine regulators; transportation and motor vehicle departments; and other government agencies;
  • assisting clients in obtaining required government approvals for products, services, and procurements;
  • representing clients in disputes with regulators and private entities;
  • helping clients obtain and maintain operating licenses;
  • drafting driver affiliation and base affiliation agreements;
  • negotiating and drafting transportation business purchase and sales agreements;
  • counseling clients on corporate organization and formation;
  • advising clients on worker classification (such as classifying drivers as independent contractors) and related issues, including the structuring of agreements, policies, and codes of conduct;
  • advising clients on avoiding tort liability, minimizing sales tax and related liabilities, and insurance coverage review; and
  • providing strategic legal, financing, and market advice to transportation businesses.

Our overarching objective is to ensure that our clients operate safely, legally, and effectively. We also encourage clients to promote and advance sustainable transportation improvements and initiatives that meet economic, environmental, and accessibility goals. These include maximizing the efficiency of overall resource utilization and minimizing the consumption of nonrenewable resources.

In addition to transportation companies and trade organizations, we represent a wide range of related businesses, including credit and debit card transaction providers, advertising and media content providers, financial institutions that specialize in medallion and ground transportation business lending, manufacturers and distributors of environmental products and alternative fuels, automobile manufacturers and inspection companies, and in-vehicle security camera manufacturers and distributors.

Representative Matters

Among our many notable engagements, we have represented:

  • the largest ground transportation company in the world - providing motor coach, van, and shuttle services to and from New York City (NYC) airports - successfully defending it in complex litigation against a losing government franchise bidder, which involved federal, state, and local interstate and intrastate motor carrier laws and regulations;
  • one of the largest U.S. financial institutions, in connection with medallion financing in various cities;
  • international and domestic credit and debit card processing and technology companies, on the use of global positioning systems (GPS) and transaction processing equipment installation in taxi and other ground transportation vehicles in US cities and airports around the world;
  • one of the country's oldest and largest automobile manufacturers, on ground transportation vehicle and environmental regulations in U.S. cities;
  • a multinational company that conducts automobile safety and emissions inspections and provides technology solutions to both private and public entities, in connection with a government privatization initiative in New Jersey and on related government procurement matters;
  • an international motor coach company, in connection with a bus franchise and concession bid and agreement with the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT);
  • a toy distributor, in connection with trademark logo licensing rights and other issues in connection with toy taxis and NYC Police, Fire and Sanitation Department vehicles;
  • a distributor of biodegradable motor oil, in connection with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) approval process;
  • a software technology company that provides smart phone applications for hailing taxis and other for-hire vehicles, in connection with various licensing and approval issues;
  • elected officials as litigation counsel and in settlement negotiations with the NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority and NYC Transit Authority concerning civil rights claims arising from budget-related reductions in NYC mass transit bus service; and
  • domestic and international ground transportation industry trade organizations and foreign governments, on policy issues involving rate increases, medallion permit systems, regulatory structure and reform, credit card acceptance, tax, and related issues.

Attorneys in the Transportation Practice Group work closely with colleagues in the Firm's other Practice Groups, including Employment and Employee Benefits; Corporate & Securities; Environmental Law; Financial Transactions; Governmental Relations; Insurance; Intellectual Property, Technology & E-Commerce; Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution; and Tax, providing clients with comprehensive representation.

Team +


Newsroom +

City & State Announces 2023 Transportation Power 100 - Aug 7, 2023
City & State Announces 2023 Law Power 100 - Mar 20, 2023
City & State Announces the 2022 Transportation Power 100 List with Matt Daus - Aug 8, 2022
Ivan Sperber, James Tracy Promoted to Special Counsel - Mar 21, 2022
10 Year Anniversary of Windels Marx' Transportation Practice is Today! - Apr 27, 2020
NYC Council Medallion Task Force Releases Report! - Feb 3, 2020
NYC Medallion Bailout Plan - Jan 29, 2020
Matt Daus on Impact of Congestion Pricing in Bloomberg News - Jan 6, 2020
California Poised to Make All Transport Drivers Employees (TNC, Taxi, Bus, NEMT & Limo) – and New York May Soon Follow! - Sep 13, 2019
Matt Daus Discusses Taxi Valuation, Upstate New York TNC Bill, Future of the NYC Taxi - Jun 16, 2017
Patricia L. Gatling Joins Windels Marx as Counsel - Oct 5, 2016
Pat Russo Promoted to Partner - Apr 27, 2016
Fox Tampa Bay Quotes Matt Daus on Ridesharing Regulations - Sep 8, 2014
Newsweek Quotes Matt Daus on Taxi Sharing - Sep 5, 2014
Matt Daus Discusses Ride-Sharing on Bloomberg TV - Jul 21, 2014
Matt Daus on New TLC Leadership, "Vision Zero" and Black Box Technology - Jul 18, 2014
Pat Russo Appointed to MTA Inspector General Management Advisory Board - May 1, 2014
Matt Daus Pens NY Daily News Op-Ed on Hansom Cabs - Apr 24, 2014
Matt Daus Quoted on California's Ridesharing Rules - Mar 13, 2014
Matt Daus Pens New York Post Op-Ed: "Why doesn't the TLC fire dangerous cab drivers?" - Mar 10, 2014
Businessweek Quotes Matt Daus on Ridesharing Industry - Mar 5, 2014
Matt Daus Speaks to DNAinfo Chicago About Ridesharing Apps - Mar 3, 2014
Matt Daus Quoted in AP Article on Data Recorders in NYC Taxis - Mar 3, 2014
Capital New York Quotes Matt Daus in "Boosters of Bloomberg's taxi reforms gird for de Blasio" - Nov 5, 2013
Pat Russo Discusses Taxi App "Model Regulations" on New York City Radio Show - Oct 15, 2013
Matt Daus, IATR Publish "Model Regulations: Smartphone Application Technology for Taxicabs & Limousines" - Sep 26, 2013
Tony Coscia Quoted on Groundbreaking of NY-NJ Rail Tunnel Project - Sep 24, 2013
Matt Daus Quoted in Two Taxicab Times Articles on Ridesharing Regulation - Sep 4, 2013
Crain's New York Business Quotes Matt Daus on Mayoral Candidate's Position on Taxi Apps - Aug 15, 2013
Pat Russo Talks Taxi Law on New York Radio Show - Jul 10, 2013
Brooklyn Daily Eagle Quotes Pat Russo on Bay Ridge Lawyers Association's Guest Speaker - Jun 3, 2013
Matt Daus, Windels Marx and IATR Block Uber and Other Rogue Apps in Maryland - May 13, 2013
Pat Russo Talks Taxi Laws - May 10, 2013
Tony Coscia Elected as Amtrak Chairman - Mar 18, 2013
Denver Business Journal Quotes Matt Daus on Taxi App Regulation Proposal - Mar 15, 2013
New York Times Quotes Matt Daus on Legal Challenge to NYC's 'Taxi of Tomorrow' - Feb 11, 2013
Crain's Quotes Matt Daus on NYC "Taxi of Tomorrow" Contract Dispute - Dec 18, 2012
Wall Street Journal Quotes Matt Daus on Taxi App Regulation Proposals - Nov 16, 2012
Crain's Quotes Matt Daus, Cites Windels Marx's Work on Taxi App Recall - Oct 18, 2012
The Epoch Times Quotes Matt Daus on Taxi App Regulations - Sep 25, 2012
Pat Russo to Become President of Bay Ridge Lawyers Association - Sep 24, 2012
Wall Street Journal Quotes Matt Daus on Taxi Apps, Cites Windels Marx's Work With Regulators - Sep 21, 2012
Boston Globe Quotes Matt Daus, Cites Windels Marx's Recent "Rogue Smartphone App" Report - Aug 17, 2012
Crain's Quotes Matt Daus on Taxi App Regulation - Aug 15, 2012
Matt Daus Talks Taxi Apps in April 2012 Australian Radio Interview - Aug 8, 2012
Daily News Quotes Matt Daus on Taxi GPS Analysis - Jul 16, 2012
Matt Daus, Windels Marx Transportation Group Will Counsel First Taxi "Peer Review" City - Jun 20, 2012
Crain's Quotes Matt Daus on "Cab King's" Role in Legal Battle Over NYC Taxi Plan - Jun 18, 2012
Crain's Quotes Matt Daus on New York City Taxi Plan - Jun 13, 2012
Pasqualino "Pat" Russo Joins Windels Marx as Special Counsel - Mar 8, 2012
Windels Marx Announces Formation of, and Leadership Role in, COTA - Nov 7, 2011
Matthew Daus Profiled in LCT.com's Regulation Column - Nov 3, 2011
Windels Marx Announces the Promotion of Matthew Daus to Partner - Sep 23, 2011
Transportation Team, Led by Matt Daus, Secures Victory for Brooklyn Seniors and the Disabled - Jul 1, 2011

Events +


Publications +

Federal Reserve Expands Main Street Loan Program! - May 1, 2020
CDC Issues Reopening Guidance, Including Disinfecting Vehicles: COVID-19 Transportation Update – April 30, 2020 - Apr 30, 2020
New NYC TLC Commissioner/Chair Confirmed for Free APRIL 30th IATR Webinar!: COVID-19 Transportation Update – Tuesday, April 28, 2020 - Apr 28, 2020
FMCSA Administrator Confirmed for IATR’s April 30th Webinar @ 11:00am EDT: COVID-19 Transportation Update – Monday, April 27, 2020 - Apr 27, 2020
Federal Transit Admin. Releases Safety, Relief & Civil Rights Resources: COVID-19 Transportation Update – Sunday, April 26, 2020 - Apr 26, 2020
Congress Finally Reaches Deal for More PPP & EIDL Funding!: COVID-19 Transportation Update – Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - Apr 21, 2020
Feds “Very Close” to $350 Billion More in CARES Act Funding!: COVID-19 Transportation Update – Monday, April 20, 2020 - Apr 20, 2020
New Law to Pay Sidelined School Bus Companies: COVID-19 Transportation Update – Sunday, April 19, 2020 - Apr 19, 2020
U.S. EEOC Pandemic Guidance: COVID-19 Transportation Update – Saturday, April 18, 2020 - Apr 18, 2020
Congress Negotiating Additional Deal on $250 Billion in New CARES Act Relief!: COVID-19 Transportation Update – Friday, April 17, 2020 - Apr 17, 2020
Federal Relief Programs Ran Out of Money! COVID-19 Transportation Update – Thursday, April 16, 2020 - Apr 16, 2020
Accessible Transportation Resources: COVID-19 Transportation Update – Wednesday, April 15, 2020 - Apr 15, 2020
Private Financial Aid for Transport Companies: COVID-19 Transportation Update – Tuesday, April 14, 2020 - Apr 14, 2020
Drivers Should Apply Now for CARES Act Funding!: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Monday, April 13, 2020 - Apr 13, 2020
Independent Transport Drivers Can Now Apply for Federal Loans/Grants: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Saturday, April 11, 2020 - Apr 11, 2020
New Main Street Lending Program for Mid-Size Transport Providers: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Thursday, April 9, 2020 - Apr 9, 2020
COVID-19 – Transportation Industry Resources to Address PPP Loan Program Concerns - Apr 9, 2020
More CARES Act Funding On Way + Bus/Vehicle/Rental Fleet Issues: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Tuesday, April 7, 2020 - Apr 7, 2020
New Payroll Protection Program Loan FAQs & Checklist/Worksheet Calculator for Transport Providers: COVID-19 Transportation Update - April 6, 2020 - Apr 6, 2020
CDC Updates: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Sunday, April 5, 2020 - Apr 5, 2020
Emergency Info. for Bus Companies & Delivery Workers - Regulatory Compliance Changes, including ELD: COVID-19 Transportation Update - April 4, 2020 - Apr 4, 2020
More Changes Announced for SBA's Payroll Protection Program: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Friday, April 3, 2020 - Apr 3, 2020
NYC SBS Loan/Grant Deadline is Tomorrow, April 3rd!: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Thursday, April 2, 2020 - Apr 2, 2020
Federal Payroll Protection Loan Applications Start April 3rd: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Wednesday, April 1, 2020 - Apr 1, 2020
Federal Grant & Loan Webinar for Transportation Providers: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Tuesday, March 31, 2020 - Mar 31, 2020
Podcast on How Transport Will Change: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Monday, March 30, 2020 - Mar 30, 2020
Get Ready to Apply for Federal Relief NOW, before the $ is gone!: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Saturday, March 29, 2020 - Mar 29, 2020
How Transportation Companies Can Apply for Emergency Relief: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Saturday, March 28, 2020 - Mar 28, 2020
The CARES Act Officially PASSED!: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Friday, March 27, 2020 - Mar 27, 2020
Federal Relief Coming Soon for Transportation Businesses & Drivers: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Thursday, March 26, 2020 - Mar 26, 2020
Congressional Help up to $10 Million for Each Transportation Company: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - Mar 25, 2020
More Stay at Home Orders in U.S.: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - Mar 24, 2020
NYC Driver Delivery Work Program!: COVID-19 Transportation Update - Monday, March 23, 2020 - Mar 23, 2020
​Are Transportation Workers Essential? – COVID-19 Transportation Update on Sunday, March 22, 2020 - Mar 22, 2020
COVID-19 Transportation Update - Saturday, March 21, 2020 - Mar 21, 2020
COVID-19 Transportation Update - Friday, March 20, 2020 - Mar 20, 2020
Last Chance to RSVP for Free Emergency Webinar – COVID-19 Transportation Industry Risk Mitigation & Resiliency - 12pm Friday, March 20, 2020 - Mar 20, 2020
COVID-19 Transportation Update - Thursday, March 19, 2020 - Mar 19, 2020
COVID-19 Transportation Update - March 18, 2020​ - Mar 18, 2020
Reminder to RSVP for Free Emergency Webinar on March 20 – COVID-19 Transportation Industry Risk Mitigation & Resiliency - March 18, 2020 - Mar 18, 2020
COVID-19 Transportation Update - March 17, 2020 - Mar 17, 2020
New NY Laws Passed for Black Car, Limo and Bus Companies – Insurance, Drug/Alcohol, Seat Belts, and More! - Jan 10, 2020
New York Bills Would Eliminate Independent Contractors for All Transportation Drivers - Dec 4, 2019
Matthew Daus, Windels Marx Publish New Report on Ridesharing Applications - May 28, 2013
Matt Daus, Windels Marx Author "Proposed Model Regulations for Smartphone Applications in the For-Hire Industry" - Nov 14, 2012
Windels Marx Publishes New Report Entitled "Rogue" Smartphone Applications for Taxicabs and Limousines: Innovation or Unfair Competition? - Jun 29, 2012
Livery Street Hail Litigation: Analysis & Predictions - Jun 14, 2012
Taxi Credit & Grant Primer for Wheelchair Accessible Taxi & Livery Vehicles - May 16, 2012
Overview of New Street Hail Laws and Proposed TLC Rules - Mar 19, 2012
Overview and Highlights of Chapter Amendment to S.5825, A.8496 - Jan 5, 2012
Matthew Daus Pens NY Times Op-Ed Entitled "Hailing the Wrong Taxi" - Jan 5, 2012
Important Worker Classification Tips for Transportation Businesses Authored by Matt Daus and Jasmine Le Veaux - Aug 9, 2011
Important Medallion and Outer-Borough Street Hail Permit Updates Summarized by Matt Daus - Aug 9, 2011

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April 27, 2020 marks 10 years since Partner Matthew Daus founded our Transportation Practice Group. Read his Chairman's Message to commemorate the decade.