Tour Bus Companies To Be Banned From Sidewalk Vending Under Amended Ordinance

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Tour bus operators would no longer be allowed to solicit customers on sidewalks in bus tourist spots in Hollywood under a newly amended ordinance.

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved the ordinance Wednesday, which would ban bus companies from sidewalk vending.

For years, the city regulation, which forbids people from doing business on city property, was exempt to bus operators.

The aggressive sales tactics, what some call the "Wild West Sales Atmosphere", are what prompted the council to pass the amended ordinance.

Olo from the Supperclub at the Vogue Theater told KNX1070's Pete Demetriou approximately 80 percent of his company's sales are done face to face, particularly with last minute tourists who decide to get on a tour bus at the last minute.

"It's competitive on every level, but they have basically one objective and that is to reach every single person they see," he said.

The signature of Mayor Eric Garcetti is needed for the new restriction to go into effect.

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