Starting next spring, Metro-North customers can rent a car from 23 train stations.
Metro-North anticipates new revenues and potential ridership gains as a result of a new program partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Enterprise, the largest rental car agency in the nation, agreed to meet customers at Metro-North stations and bring them to an Enterprise office or to deliver a rental car to the customer at the station.
The initial 23 stations were selected because of their convenient and adequate parking, as well as being close to an Enterprise office.
If successful, the program is expandable.
“This is the first time in the nation that a national chain is customizing a program for the railroad service,” said Randall Fleisher, senior director for business development facilities and marketing for Metro-North.
To rent a car, a Metro-North customer can call the Enterprise location that services the specific station at which the vehicle is needed.
Booking instructions will be available on a per-station basis on Metro-North”™s Web site and will guide the customer through the booking process.
Fleisher said Enterprise will offer Metro-North customers a 5 percent discount on car rentals and the option to rent a car for days or a few hours.
Metro-North customers can return the rental car to any station participating in the program.
“Enterprise Rent-A-Car is very excited to work hand in hand with Metro-North in providing a unique and attractive travel option for our mutual customers,” said Bob Friedman, Enterprise”™s corporate business director. “By combining two great transportation solutions, we believe that the true winner in this relationship will be our shared clientele.”
The board of directors of Metro-North’s parent agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, voted to approve the rental program Nov. 28.
Fleisher said Enterprise made a 5-year commitment to the program.
Participating stations are:
New Haven Line stations Port Chester, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Pelham and Mount Vernon East; Harlem Line stations Harlem Valley/Wingdale, Patterson, Southeast, Purdy”™s, Goldens Bridge and Woodlawn; and Hudson Line stations Poughkeepsie, New Hamburg, Beacon, Cortlandt, Ossining, Irvington and Riverdale.
On the Pascack Valley line, stations include Spring Valley, Nanuet and Pearl River. And on the Port Jervis Line, the Middletown and Harriman stations.
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