GCSU paves way for Hertz car rental service in Spring

GCSU students over the age of 18 with a valid driver’s license will be able to rent cars from campus with a program debuting next semester called Connect by Hertz.

Along with the anticipated new Wellness Center and renovations to the shuttle system, Auxiliary Services maintains its focus on transportation quality with this partnership.

The program is found all over the United States, rapidly dominating college campuses and spanning the sea to London and Paris. By Jan. 6, GCSU will have the pay-as-you-go “Connect by Hertz” program fully operational.

The fairly new car-sharing service has a slogan of “Click. Book. Drive.” This car-on-demand system allows students to go online and sign up for a $25 application fee, no insurance required.

After approval, Hertz sends a membership card allowing drivers to reserve cars starting hourly to a few days in length. It is $8 an hour, or $66 a day. Once a confirmed reservation is in place, an e-mail or text message is sent to the member. From here one simply walks to the pre-parked Hertz cars and swipes one’s card. The doors unlock and the keys are inside ready to ignite a fully loaded car with Hertz NeverLost GPS system, iPod adapter, CD player and roadside assistance. Gas will also be provided; students do not have to pay for it in addition to rental fees.

GCSU will initially welcome 2010-11 model Ford Fusions and possibly Rav4’s. If the program progresses, they are prepared to add more if necessary. The cars will remain parked in GCSU parking spaces on West Greene Street in front of the reflection pool.

“The location on Greene Street was chosen to provide two things, visibility to the assets and the convenience to the dorms in general, since most of our customers will be students in those halls,” said Associate Director of Auxiliary Services Greg Brown.

GCSU plans for the program to help benefit not only freshmen, but international students and faculty as well. Vojtech Vavra, a foreign exchange student from Czech Republic, has experienced car rental services since his time in the states.

“It is a really good idea to rent a car for a low cost because if you rent from a private company you pay about $80 a day, plus fuel of course,” said Varva, “In the USA it is sometimes difficult to be without a car and to buy one for a few months is too expensive and complicated.”

GCSU hopes to alleviate the struggles students face without transportation with the implementation of Connect by Hertz coming early spring semester.

Posted by Taylor Lamb on Nov 18 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.