Hospitality and Tourism Standard 3: Transportation: Ground Travel

Types of Ground Travel Rail Automobile Motor-Coach Trains Subways Rental Cars Limousines Vans and Shuttles Motor-Coach Bus Lines Chartered Bus

Railroads and Tourism Thomas Cook: first privately chartered excursion train to be advertised to the general public Cost: 1 shilling (included ticket and food) Fred Harvey: set up Harvey Houses A chain of restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality industry businesses alongside railroads in the western United States. Railroads invented our modern ideas of time. first applied by the Great Western Railway in England in November 1840 The invention of the gasoline engine contributed to the demise of train travel.

United States Rail Service Amtrak: American passenger railroad service. Formed in 1971 Most popular routes Scenic California Coast Northeast Corridor (Boston to Washington, D.C.) Less than 1% of long- distance passenger traffic comes from railroads.

International Rail Service Extremely popular as a primary means of ground transportation. Europe Networks InterCity (IC) trains provide express passenger service within a country’s borders. EuroCity (EC) are express trains running the main lines between European countries. Eurailpass is the pass for unlimited first-class rail travel on the trains of 17 western European countries France TGV (Train `a Grand Vitesse) Class of premier trains that travel at 186 mph/300 kmph Germany Maglev trains operate by magnetic force/levitation and have nothing between the cars and the tracks but air. Japan Known for bullet trains that do not deviate from their timetables by more than 15 seconds Canada VIA Rail Canada provides transcontinental passenger service between Vancouver and Toronto.

of vacations are taken by car Vacations By Car 80% of vacations are taken by car

Who needs a Rental Car? Business travelers in need of flexibility Leisure travelers on vacation City dwellers on weekend staycations Those in need of a replacement vehicle Those in need of vans or trucks

Car Rental Firms

Car Rental Categories Mini Economy Compact Midsize/Intermediate Full-Size/Standard Luxury/Premium Special (Trucks, Vans, SUVs)

Car Rental Policies and Procedures To rent a car, you must: Have a valid driver’s license Meet age requirements (usually 25) Have proof of credit Assume personal responsibility

Car Rental Policies and Procedures Reservations: Can be done by phone or on the internet Rates: Vary by type of car, length of rental, competition Mileage: Most companies offer unlimited miles, but it often changes. Gas: Cars are given to customers with a full tank. Customers should return it full, or pay a refueling charge.

Car Rental Policies and Procedures Fees Additional Driver Fees Some companies charge for this, some don’t, but they all want to know if there will be additional drivers Weekend Discounts Discounts given on weekends to keep cars in use between business (weekday) travel Drop-off Charges Usually cars are dropped off at the same place they were picked up. Some companies allow cars to be dropped somewhere else, others charge for this Overstays Rates are for a 24-hour period. Renters have a 59 minute grace period for returning a car. If a car is late, high rates are charged.

Car Rental Policies and Procedures Insurance Third-party liability insurance is usually included. Additional insurance can be purchased Collision damage waiver Relieves the renter of all financial responsibility for damage to the car (covers “deductible”)

To Drive or Not To Drive… Outside the United States, distance is expressed in kilometers, and volume is expressed in liters Driving may be on the left or right side of the road Gas may be three to five times more expensive than in North America Road signs are in local languages and in local alphabets City-center parking is difficult; many historic centers are closed to traffic Seat belts for front and back seat passengers are required in several countries

Other forms of Ground Transportation Shuttle Service Vans/Shuttles: airport or hotel transportation Limousines: can also be rented for sightseeing or entertainment Bus Lines Carry passengers between stopping places along a regular route. Chartered Bus The transporting of cargo or people who have contracted to have exclusive use of the vehicle, at a fixed rate for a specific itinerary.