<B>Letters</B>
<B>Reported Hertz Rate Unfounded</B>
Please be advised that Hertz challenges the accuracy of a corporate rate ascribed to us (<I>BTN</I>, Nov. 15, 1999). The Annual Car and Ground Transportation Report states that Hertz offered a rate of $7.00 per day and $0.25 per mile.
There is no record of the Hertz Corp. having offered such a low corporate rate since fixed corporate pricing was introduced in the late 1970s. Nor is there currently any such rate, corporate or otherwise, in our system. Such a rate is, frankly, economically inconceivable.
<I>John A. Johnson
Division V.P. of Sales
The Hertz Corp.
Park Ridge, N.J.</I>
<B>CVB No Place For Novices</B>
You reported (<I>BTN</I>, Nov. 15, 1999) that Cristyne Lategano, another beginner in the travel industry, was named by the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau, or more precisely, by Mayor Giuliani, as the new president of the NYCVB. After the questionable wisdom of the appointment of the previous president, Fran Reiter, another novice in the travel industry, I wonder how long we professionals in this industry are willing to put up with this.
No politician would dare to put even an amateur gardener in charge of a farm bureau, but with the number-one industry in the United States, the travel industry, any inexperienced political hack seems to be good enough to run our Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The travel industry had a fantastic growth the last 25 years, all without the help or support of the City of New York. Now after being neglected and ignored all this time, the City of New York suddenly wants to run the show. What is their ulterior motive?
<I>Erich Aueschlimann
President
Visit America Inc.
New York, N.Y.</I>
<B>Amtrak Overhaul Long Overdue</B>
The reorganization of Amtrak cannot come too soon (<I>BTN</I>, Oct. 4). Since its formation in 1971, Amtrak has been long on promises and rhetoric and short on meeting the needs of travelers. Outside of the northeastern U.S. and California intercity corridors, what passes for Amtrak intercity service is more a disservice because long-haul "land cruise" trains cannot meet the needs of short-distance passengers who depend on punctual service.
Major destinations, such as Columbus, Ohio, and Nashville or Louisville, lack any Amtrak service, though--ironically--at Amtrak's startup, these cities had daily Amtrak trains! While I agree that the handling of mail and express on Amtrak trains leads to increased revenues and reduced subsidies, it has become obvious that the "head-end" business comes first and the passengers last. At least that's the way it has become on most Amtrak trains across northern Ohio.
America needs modern intercity train services that will attract more business passengers. I'm no longer convinced Amtrak can rise to provide it.
<I>Thomas R. Pulsifer
Executive Director
Ziebart Dealers Association Inc.