News Releases
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Highway Toll Administration, Travelocity Introduce
TravelPass Toll Tag for Online Car Renters
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GREAT NECK, N.Y. (Feb. 17, 2009) Highway
Toll Administration, LLC (HTA), the pioneering electronic-toll-payment service provider,
has introduced the TravelPass mail-order program that provides electronic-tolling
devices, or tags, to travelers who book car rentals through Travelocity, a top online
provider of consumer-direct travel services and the first to offer the program.
"The TravelPass advance-order toll-tag option that is now being
offered at www.travelocity.com ensures that vacationers or business travelers who
rent vehicles can zip through toll plazas, making the most of their valuable time
on the road, said HTA President & CEO David Centner."
Explaining how it works, Centner said, "We modeled the TravelPass
program on the popular Netflix process, in which DVDs are delivered and returned
by mail. If you book a car rental through Travelocity and choose the 'Add a
Toll Device' option, a TravelPass electronic toll tag, also called a transponder,
can be sent to you by first-class mail – or even faster service, on request."
"At the end of your trip," Centner continued, "you
will send the TravelPass tag back to HTA in an HTA-provided, postage-paid return
envelope, and your credit or debit card will be charged $1.99 for each day's
usage, plus the cost of all tolls incurred."
Centner noted that the TravelPass toll tag is initially being accepted
in the Northeast and Midwest. These areas, he said, have the highest concentration
of toll roads in the country, and the TravelPass option applies to all agencies
that rent vehicles through Travelocity.
"With TravelPass, our customers who rent cars while away from
home won't have to wait in line at toll plazas, won't have the distraction
of fumbling for coins or bills, and won't have to worry about saving receipts,"
said Alex Goldman, vice president of car, cruise and rail for Travelocity. "We
are always looking for ways to add value and convenience to our services."
Centner added that motorists are not the only ones to benefit from
TravelPass usage. "It's also a win for local toll authorities," he
said, "since more tags in use can mean fewer toll violators, more toll revenue
and lower operating costs, because processing a tag transaction is significantly
less expensive for the toll road than collecting cash.
"Also, a customer who reserves a TravelPass tag after booking
a rental vehicle is more likely to have a greater commitment to the rental agency,
helping to reduce the 'no-show' rate of rental customers," said Centner.
"So, everybody wins."
About Highway Toll Administration, LLC (HTA)
A private company established in 2002, HTA was the first electronic-toll-payment
service provider to the car-rental industry and today has an estimated 75% market
share by transaction volume. Through its patent-pending technology and proprietary
services, HTA offers the most comprehensive solutions in its field, from transponder
rentals to video tolling and violations processing. The company's customer roster
includes Avis, Budget, National, Alamo and dozens of independents, as well as franchises,
such as those of Dollar, Thrifty and Payless Car Rental. HTA operates under the
respective brands of its customers; for example, Avis eToll, and National and Alamo
Toll Pass. Please visit www.htallc.com.
About Travelocity Global Travelocity
is committed to being the traveler's champion – before, during and after the
trip – and provides the most comprehensive and proactive guarantee in the industry
(www.travelocity.com/guarantee).
This customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, competitive prices
and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity one of the largest travel
companies in the world with annual gross bookings of more than U.S. $10 billion.
Travelocity also owns and operates: Travelocity Business for corporate travel; igougo.com,
a leading online travel community; lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel;
and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre
Holdings Corporation, a world leader in travel marketing and distribution.
Note: Highway Toll Administration and
TravelPass are trademarks of Highway Toll Administration, LLC. Travelocity and Travelocity
Business are registered trademarks of Travelocity.com LP. The names of other entities,
products and/or services mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective
owners.
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Contacts:
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Erin Freeley
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646-246-1962
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erin@smartpr.net
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