Thrifty Car Rental to Be Exclusive Provider to Lake Express High Speed Ferry
MILWAUKEE, June 2 -- Thrifty Car Rental, a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. , announced today that it will be the exclusive in-terminal provider of car rental services to customers of the Lake Express High Speed Ferry.
Lake Express is the first U.S.-built and operated high-speed ferry designed to express passengers and cars between Milwaukee and Muskegon, Michigan. The ferry, which began regularly-scheduled service today, shuttles passengers across Lake Michigan in only two and one-half hours.
Thrifty Car Rental will be the only car rental company to offer in- terminal services at both ends of the lake. Customers have the option of making a car rental reservation at the time they buy their Lake Express ticket, or they may book directly with Thrifty by calling 414-483-5870 in Milwaukee, or 231-759-3403 in the Muskegon, Michigan area.
"This is a great opportunity for passengers to experience travel that is truly one-of-a-kind," said Kevin O'Callaghan, owner of the Thrifty Car Rental franchise in Milwaukee. "It's even more appealing when passengers have the convenience and freedom of making a car rental reservation on both sides of Lake Michigan. It will be a great option for residents who choose to leave their own car behind or for out-of-town travelers."
O'Callaghan has been a Thrifty Car Rental franchisee since 1997. He has four locations in the Milwaukee area, including the new store serving Lake Express at 2339 S. Lincoln Memorial Drive. He also has an in-terminal facility at Milwaukee International Airport, a store near the airport at 6039 S. Howell and a downtown location at 4th and Kilbourne.
The Muskegon, Michigan, franchise -- on the other side of Lake Michigan -- is owned by Bob Lautenbach, a Thrifty franchisee for 11 years. Lautenbach has five locations, including a store serving Gerald R. Ford International Airport at 5091 Broadmoor SE, plus two suburban locations in the Grand Rapids area and an office in Holland. The new Thrifty location serving Lake Express passengers is at 1918 Lakeshore Drive in Muskegon.
The hours of operation for Thrifty Car Rental will coincide with Lake Express departure times (approximately at noon, 6 p.m. and midnight, daily). All times are local, and are subject to change.
About the Lake Express High Speed Ferry
Lake Express will carry 250 passengers, 46 cars, motorcycles and bicycles across Lake Michigan in only two and one-half hours. Lake Express will make three round trips daily during June-September and two round trips daily October-December in 2004. In 2005, service will begin on May 1.
The well-appointed catamaran incorporates modern safety features and advanced ride-control for passenger comfort as well as enhanced ship navigation capabilities. The vessel features climate-controlled passenger areas, including a business class section. Passengers will enjoy comfortable seating, video monitors and a variety of food and beverage selections. Unlike air travel, passengers also will be free to use cell phones, laptop computers and other electronic devices. For more information regarding Lake Express, visit http://www.lake-express.com/ or call Robin Mindt at 414-224-9424.
About Thrifty Car Rental
Thrifty Car Rental is a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 1000 Company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Together with its corporately-owned locations and those of its franchise owners, the Thrifty Car Rental brand serves value-conscious travelers from more than 1,100 locations in 64 countries.
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