If you’ve ever visited another major city and have tried to return a rental car to the airport before your flight, then you probably know just what a nightmare it can be sometimes. It always seems like no matter what you do or how early you get there to take care of returning your rental car, you somehow get caught in a ton of traffic congestion caused by other people trying to return their cars at the same time.

An article published in The New York Times stated that traffic congestion caused by rental car returns has been a huge issue for many major airports, especially airports in cities where the population and/or popularity has grown, such as Atlanta, GA. And over the past decade or so, airports have tried to alleviate some of the traffic congestion by consolidating all of the rental car agencies and/or moving them off site altogether, this way there aren’t as many people crowding the main terminal. However, when moving rental car agencies off site, the biggest issue is how far away they now are from the main terminal. People don’t want to (and shouldn’t have to) drive for forever to pick up and/or drop off their rental car.

CONRAC

The city of Atlanta is currently in the middle of construction for a brand new Consolidated Rental Agency Complex (CONRAC) facility that will be located south of Camp Creek Parkway and west of Interstate 85. The facility is said to:

..hold a minimum of ten rental car companies, which are currently operating at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (H-JAIA) and will provide approximately 8,670 ready, return and storage spaces in the garage structures (approximately 2.8 million square feet), with an additional 1,200 ground storage spaces. The facility will include a customer service center (approximately 137,000 square feet), storage and minor maintenance areas, wash lane facilities and vehicle fueling positions to support the Rental Agencies quick turn around (GTA) operation (approximately 27 acres).

Additionally, the facility will be using an Automated People Mover (APM) System in order to provide easy customer access to the facility from the main airport terminal as well as the Georgia International Convention Center. The system, which will be approximately 1.5 miles long with dual lane elevated guideways, will be approximately 10 minutes round trip.

The total cost for CONRAC is estimated at $468 million, and the brand new facility is expected to be up and running by December of this year.

For more information about car rental in Atlanta, contact Triangle Rent A Car today!

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All eyes are on Toyota this week as they announced that worldwide sales of the Toyota Prius hybrid car have exceeded one million units since the model was first made available almost ten years ago. Today, this hybrid car is one of the most popular vehicles to both rent and own.

The Toyota Prius was introduced in Japan in 1997 and then to other auto markets in 2000. It was the world’s first gasoline-electric hybrid car that was ever mass produced. One of the major selling points of the vehicle in 2008 is that it won’t cost you nearly as much as some other vehicles. In fact, Toyota made one small marketing change by dropping the base price of the vehicle from $22,175 in 2007 to $20, 950 for 2008.

The 2008 Toyota Prius has some neat features such as the Smart Key system, cruise control and DVD navigation (if you want it). Toyota is also marketed something called an “ECO-nomic Savings Bonus” of $600-$2,000 with the purchase of a 2008 Prius. If that wasn’t enough, you typically average around 48 mpg for city driving and 45 mpg for highway driving which is a great thing right now! I guess we’ll just have to wait and see now what the 2009 Prius has to offer. I hear it’s supposed to be even better than the 2008 model, if that’s even possible.

For more information about auto rental in Atlanta, contact Triangle Rent A Car today!

Tags: Auto News, General Auto by Janelle - No Comments »

A little less than a year ago, I was the excited new owner of a brand new Jeep Liberty. Now, however, every time I know that I need to go somewhere and I see my beloved vehicle, it makes me cringe. I remember how blinded I was by the term “new”. I didn’t want to get in and smell someone else’s car; I wanted to get into a brand new car and breathe in that “new car smell”- a car in which I had been the only owner. Boy, how I wish I had thought differently back then. Now, I can’t seem to get rid of this thing!

When people go car shopping and they’re smart about it, they typically take the time to know how much money they can or can’t spend (my mistake) on a vehicle. This will usually determine whether or not they get a new or used vehicle. For those who either can’t afford a brand new car or who are very frugal, they usually opt for buying a used car because they think that it will be cheaper. However, a recent article in BusinessWeek is stating that used car prices are on the rise.

Some people tend to believe that the increasing demand for smaller, used cars is what is driving up the prices. For example, the total used small car market cited that prices went up between April 2007 and April 2008 despite the fact that the average vehicle price in the United States dropped 2.5 percent in the same period. It seems like something has got to give between the high gas prices, problems with the housing market and now increasing prices of used cars!

For more information about car rental in Atlanta, contact Triangle Rent A Car today!

Tags: Auto News by Janelle - 1 Comment »

There are so many things to see and do in Atlanta, GA that it’s no wonder the city is inundated with tourists every year. If you’re planning a trip to Atlanta, you’ll definitely want to stop by the High Museum of Art. Founded in 1905 as the Atlanta Art Association, the High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the Southeastern United States (according to the web site). The museum is located in Atlanta’s Midtown arts and business district and contains over 11,000 works of art.

A Little Background

The original location of the High Museum of Art was on Peachtree Street at the residence of Mrs. Joseph M. High back in 1926. In 1962, the Atlanta Arts Alliance was formed in memoriam of 122 Georgian art patrons who died in a plane crash, and the Atlanta Memorial Arts Center was opened soon after in 1968. In 1979, Coca-Cola tycoon Robert Woodruff offered a $7.5 million challenge grant to build a new facility which museum officials ended up matching and then surpassing. Later, in 1981, a newly renovated facility was opened. Since it was first started, the High Museum of Art has been expanding and attracting increasing numbers of tourists from around the country as well as the world.

Take a Peek

When you go to visit the museum, make sure you check out the web site to find out about all of the different events that are going on each month. The museum also shows films and hosts many educational classes and tours. If you are thinking about hosting a party or other event, you can also contact the museum about hosting events as well as facility rentals.

For more information about car rental in Atlanta, visit Triangle Rent A Car today!

Tags: Auto News, General Auto by Janelle - 1 Comment »

Centennial Olympic Park wasn’t always a park. In fact, less than two decades ago, it was one of the most run-down parts of Atlanta. However, as the the city of Atlanta prepared to host the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, the Committee for the Olympic Games realized that something had to be done. CEO of the Olympic Games Committee, Billy Payne, came up with the grand idea to transform one of Atlanta’s biggest eyesores into a park fit for a king.

If You Build it; They Will Come

Approximately $75 million was spent developing the park, with chunks of money also being donated from private parties and funds raised by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. The park was opened in time to host the Olympic Games back in 1996, and since then, it has been expanded and opened for public use. Today, the 21-acre park serves to remind people of the Olympic Games that were once hosted there. However, it also goes to show that you can bring life back to an area that didn’t have any.

If you’re interested in finding out directions on how to get to the park or would like to see a walking map of the park, simply go to the web site. There are many nice features that the park has. For instance, you could check out the visitor center and FountainSide Cafe, go check out the fountain of rings or take a walk through Centennial Plaza. You could also check out the Southern Company Amphitheater, or visit the Georgia Agricultural Plaza and Gold Medal Gardens.

For more information about car rental in Atlanta, contact Triangle Rent A Car today!

Tags: travel by Janelle - No Comments »

One of the most popular, if not most popular, tourist attractions in Atlanta, GA is the NEW World of Coca-Cola museum located in downtown Atlanta. If you’re planning on taking a tour of this brand new facility, you had better get your tickets in advance and set aside some time because tours typically last around 90 minutes or so.

What’s Inside

This brand new facility is much bigger than the old on, boasting over 62,000 square feet of guest areas (twice the size of the previous facility). The city of Atlanta is, perhaps, most widely recognized for its production of the popular soft drink that is now sipped, gulped and swallowed all around the world. The museum provides visitors with an exhaustive overview of the history, manufacture and distribution of Coca-Cola. But why would anyone want to visit a soft drink factory? Well, that’s because this isn’t just any ordinary soft drink factory; it’s a unique museum experience where guests can sample different recipes for coke products that are sold worldwide. If you’re interested in buying tickets, simply visit the web site here. Most people find that the prices are very affordable.

The museum also features more than 1,200 artifacts from around the world that have never been publicly displayed before. There are interactive exhibits, such as a 4-D movie and a fully functioning bottling line. You can also plan special events at the museum such as parties. If you are interested in finding out more information about this unique and fun experience, simply visit their web site. Even the web site is fun and easy to navigate, which is probably a good indication of how your visit will be!

For more information on car rental in Atlanta, contact Triangle Rent A Car today!

Tags: auto rental, travel by Janelle - 1 Comment »

If you’re thinking of planning a trip to Atlanta, Georgia, you had better get out a pen and paper because there are a lot of things to see and do. One of the main attractions in the Atlanta area is the Atlanta History Center. The history center first started in 1926 when the fourteen original founders formed what was then known as the Atlanta Historical Society. This group, which was led by a man named Walter McElreath, met in each other’s homes, collecting early manuscripts and photos as well as publishing research bulletins in an effort to get other people interested in history.

In 1990, the Historical Society became known as the Atlanta History Center. Today, the center is located on 33 acres of land in Atlanta’s “Buckhead” district and includes one of the Southeastern United States’ largest history museums, two historic houses, a two-acre midtown campus that houses the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, and a series of unique gardens.

Events and Hours of Operation

If you’re planning on visiting the Atlanta History Center during the months of May and June, here are a couple of things that are going on. Also feel free to visit the calendar page for additional event information.

May 2008 Events: Tradition/Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft and Traditional Art

June 2008 Events: Courage: The Vision to End Segregation, the Guts to Fight for It.

There are many things to see and do, so make sure you plan your visit accordingly! The Atlanta History Center is open as follows:

• Monday-Saturday: 10am-5:30pm
• Sunday: 12pm-5:30pm

The Swan House & Tullie Smith Farm House Tours are offered as follows:

• Monday-Saturday: 11am-4pm
• Sunday: 1pm-4pm

The Atlanta History Center is located at 130 West Places Ferry Road NW in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information about the Atlanta History Center, feel free to contact them at 404.814.4000.

For more information on car rental in Atlanta, visit Triangle Rent A Car today!

Tags: travel by Janelle - 1 Comment »

Usually when you’ve heard something once, that’s enough; anything more than that just becomes repetitive and annoying. However, as much as we have now heard about the rising gas prices and other plethora of problems surrounding the fuel pump and oil prices, it just never seems to get old. I would love to stop talking about gas prices, but it really is becoming absurd. Just last week, I paid almost $70 to fill up my car, which wasn’t even on empty! Well, if you’re upset about the price of gas as well as the direction it is heading in, you are certainly not alone.

According to an article in Time Magazine, some consumers have noticed that they are paying for gas that they never get. For example, have you ever used a gas pump where the pump seems to hesitate for a split second even though you have the handle squeezed? Supposedly, anywhere from 2 to 6 cents are being lost before the gasoline actually starts pumping into your vehicle. According to the article, tests done by local regulator are actually allowing pumps to charge as much as 6 cents more than the gas delivered in a five-gallon test. So, who do we point the finger at now? As it is, we’re already paying a ton of money for gasoline!

Who is to Blame?

Apparently, the gas is not the problem. The problem lies in the fact that the “check valve” at the pump wears out and goes unnoticed. Additionally, many counties require or suggest that the pumps be inspected every six months. However, short staffing at many gas stations have prevented this from happening. If you think about it, even if you are charged a few pennies extra than what you actually ended up pumping, if you picture several other hundreds of people using that gas station throughout the day, that penny would add up quickly. This problem is compounded by the aggravation that consumers are already feeling with the rising gas prices. After all, gas prices in the United States, on average, are approximately 66 cents higher than last year and show now signs of going down any time soon.

Perhaps the store owners with the faulty pumps should start reimbursing customers.

For more information about car rental in Atlanta, visit Triangle Rent A Car today!

Tags: Auto News, General Auto by Janelle - 7 Comments »

Do you remember watching The Jetsons when you were younger. Perhaps I’m dating myself a bit here, but in any case, there was a time when we thought for sure that we would, one day, be flying around in our cars…literally. Well, for those of you who are still interested in what the future has to offer in the way of cool vehicles, check out this article in PC Magazine, which lists some of the coolest futuristic vehicles you will ever see.

5 Futuristic Cars to Check Out

While we may not have the flying cars yet, it seems that we are well on our way to one day getting there. In the meantime, here is a partial list of some of the cool cars to keep an eye out for. For the entire list, check out PC Magazine.

1. James Milner’s AirCar: Ok, so maybe we don’t have flying cars, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t make cars that look like they fly! This particular…er…vehicle, which was the invention of James Milner, is a self-contained four-door, four-to-five seat flying car with a foldable main wing in the rear and a canard in the front. It cost around $450,000 to build and while it can currently be driven, it can not yet fly.
2. Rinspeed sQuba: This particular vehicle has been classified as the first real submersible car and was inspired by the underwater car driven by Roger Moore. There are three motors in the rear of the vehicle, supported by two Seabob jet drives which allows for propulsion on land as well as propulsion as deep as 32 feet under water.
3. Rudi Moosmeier’s “Tong City Bike”: This bicycle is like no other. Designed by Rudi Moosmeier, who was concerned with cyclist safety at night, the bike features a unique braking system as well as integrated light tubes. The bike also has a mini safe for storing stuff like gadgets, keys, etc.
4. Aptera: This is a three-seat, three-wheeled electric vehicle. It sort of looks like an alien air craft on wheels and is actually classified as a motorcycle, fitting into standard parking spaces. The vehicle features airbags, a rear-view camera, GPS navigation and a host of other neat features.
5. Ford SYNus: Even Ford couldn’t resist the temptation when it came to futuristic vehicles. This particular creation features a mini home theater and multimedia work station all controlled by a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop. There are some other cool features, including bullet-proof glass. Even batman would be jealous!

For more information on renting a car in Atlanta, visit Triangle Rent A Car today!

Tags: Auto News by Janelle - 3 Comments »

For years, the city of Atlanta, GA has been attracting tourists from all over the country. The last thing you want to have to worry about if you’re planning a trip is how you’re going to get around. That’s where Triangle Rent A Car comes in. With over 29 locations throughout the southeast United States, let Triangle Rent A Car show you why they’re driven to be number one with customers. Renting a vehicle allows you the freedom to go where you want, and trust me, in Atlanta; there are a lot of places to go. One of those places is the infamous APEX Museum.

The History Behind the History of The APEX Museum

Back in 1978, a noted filmmaker and visionary named Dan Moore was attending a banquet to honor a man by the name of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays. Dr. Mays was an African American minister, educator, scholar and was the president of Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. History books cite him as being among the most articulate critics of segregation before the modern civil rights movement in the USA. While Moor was attending the commemoration for Mays, he was inspired to build an American museum that would celebrate the achievements and untold history of African Americans. This museum was the African American Panoramic Experience (APEX) Museum.

The museum is one of the many tourist attractions in Atlanta and is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-5pm, with limited hours on Sundays (depending on the month). You can contact the visitor’s center for more information on ticketing and pricing. The museum occasionally features guest speakers and offers interesting exhibits and tours.

For more information about renting a car in Atlanta, contact Triangle Rent A Car today!

Tags: Auto News, auto rental by Janelle - 2 Comments »