Limo companies speak out against new Metro ordinance  
 
Nashville limo and sedan drivers are upset about a new Metro ordinance they say is unfair and will force customers to pay more for a ride.
Local limo drivers met Wednesday to talk about their hopes of amending the ordinance, which passed with Metro City Council in June 2010.
The new rules set a mandatory minimum price for a ride at $45, even if the limo companies want to charge less.
The new rules were supported by the owners of several large limo companies.
Limo drivers say that transportation companies are currently prohibited from leasing new vehicles; they are required to dispatch only from their places of business and that they must wait a minimum of 15 minutes before they can pick up a customer.
Beginning in January 2012, companies will have to take all vehicles off the road if they are more than 7 years old for a sedan or SUV or more than 10 years old for a limousine.
These regulations were passed by the Metropolitan County Council in June 2010.
This group claims these new regulations were "largely designed by the Tennessee Livery Association, a trade group formed to represent the interests of high-end limousine companies."