Shuttle Bus Era to End at Orlando Airport
All the major rental-car brands are coming together at the airport's two passenger terminals.
Orlando International Airport is bringing all the major rental-car brands together at the airport’s two passenger terminals, meaning the end of the airport’s rent-a-car shuttle bus, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Almost all arriving passengers will exit their plane, walk across the street, and pick up their cars without having to get on a bus.
Thrifty and Enterprise have already moved from their lots to locations inside the parking garages. By April, Hertz and Advantage will join them. After that, only some small independent or niche rent-a-car companies will operate from remote locations and use shuttle buses. The reason for the change is that Greater Orlando Airport Authority is spending $60 million to accommodate more rental cars on the airport’s grounds.
The airport collects fees on each car that’s rented from a remote lot. But companies located on airport property make guaranteed lease payments, and pay more if sales exceed specified minimums. The convenience of being steps away from the terminal and not making customers wait for a bus is worth the guaranteed lease payment, officials say.
The airport relocated a bus and large-vehicle parking area to provide room for a second fueling, washing and queuing area there. And another area is being expanded. The $60 million cost of those projects is being financed by a $2.50-per-day tax levied last year on each car rental.
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