Squadron Assails Borough Car Rental Surcharges by Dollar, Thrifty

By on November 17, 2010 7:52 pm in Government, Transportation

Brooklynites, beware! If you rent a car from Dollar or Thrifty and show a driver’s license with a Brooklyn address, even if you pick the car up outside of Brooklyn, you will be charged an extra $55.00 just because of where you live. How sour it is! Surcharges of differing amounts also apply to Bronx and Queens residents, but not to those of Manhattan or Staten Island. As seen in the Channel 7 news clip above, State Senator Daniel Squadron, along with Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, held a presser in front of the Municipal Building in Manhattan today to decry this practice and urge the companies to cease and desist.

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  • my2cents

    You’d think that just pointing this out alone would be enough for them to lose a ton of business. In the day of zipcar and other hourly services, who rents the old way anymore in the first palce?

  • Luke C

    Rental cars bilk New Yorkers of all boroughs. I saw $131/day for a Smart Car over the holidays at Hertz this year!

    Zipcar is not much good for multiday rentals although I wish they’d move into that business. Even if the price is the same, they’re much more convenient than a trip to the airport to get your car.

  • WillowtownCop

    What’s wrong with Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, Dollar and Thrifty? Too many minorities here? I would never give these business my money!

  • Kim G

    Stupid question…are these fees somewhat like “redlining”? Are Brooklyn residents considered more of a risk than those in the Bronx or Queens?

  • Steve R

    Let me first ask a very naive question (since this is the first I am hearing about the surcharge), are we the only borough being slapped with this charge, or are they egalitarian about it and dunning all non-Manhattanites?

    As an alternative, I would like to recommend All-Car Rent-a-Car. I’ve been dealing with them for a little under two years. The have locations all over the five boroughs, and the local pick-up office I use is in the Marriott garage on Adams St. Their rates are very competitive, their staff is courteous, the vehicles are clean and relatively new, and they have an on-line reservation system at http://www.allcarrentacar.com/ . I have a ZipCar membership through my company, and Cadman Plaza is more convenient than Adams St., but I do most of day and multi-day rentals through All-Car.