Consolidated rental car facility explained

A consolidated rental car facility (CRCF) or consolidated rental car center (CONRAC) is a complex that hosts numerous car rental agencies, typically found at airports in the United States.

The most important incentives for building consolidated facilities are greatly reduced traffic congestion in airport pick up and drop off areas and increased convenience for travelers. A single unified fleet of shuttle buses can serve all car rental agencies, instead of each company operating their own individual shuttle buses which may come less frequently. Congestion can be further reduced by connecting the consolidated facility to the airport terminal with a people mover.

Consolidated facilities are typically built around two areas: a customer service building where each company operates retail counters to serve renters, and a "ready/return" lot or garage where cars are temporarily parked while ready and awaiting a renter, or when recently returned and in need of servicing before the next rental.

Facilities usually also feature a Quick Turn Around (QTA) area either on-site or at a nearby location, where light maintenance of vehicles can be conducted including cleaning, fueling, and inspection of engine fluids. There can be several QTA areas operated by the different companies, or the services can be shared.[1]

The first known consolidated facility was built at Sacramento International Airport in 1994.[2] [3] However, as early as 1974, four companies were already sharing facilities and shuttle buses at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, and in 1988 companies at Minneapolis–Saint Paul airport introduced common shuttle buses.[4] These differed from modern CONRACs in that the majority of rental car companies at Dallas/Fort Worth continued to operate their own off-site facilities and shuttle buses, while at Minneapolis, only the shuttle buses and not the facilities themselves were shared (in other words, a single shuttle bus line served multiple off-site rental car companies).

Furthermore, the rental car industry has seen major mergers, creating three major holding companies that now represent ten brands commonly seen at airports, the Avis Budget Group (which operates Avis Car Rental, Budget Rent a Car, Payless Car Rental and Zipcar), Enterprise Holdings (which operates Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo Rent a Car and National Car Rental) and The Hertz Corporation (which operates Hertz Rent A Car, Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental).[5] Because of these mergers, even in cities without a consolidated facility, many of these companies have consolidated all their brands into one location.

Locations

LocaleAirportYearNotes
Sacramento, CASacramento International Airport1994First facility in the U.S.
Cedar Rapids, IAEastern Iowa Airport1996Opened New Joint Use Rental Car Facility in 1996
Minneapolis–Saint PaulMinneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport1998Had been operating common shuttle buses since 1988.
Cleveland, OHCleveland Hopkins International Airport1998[6]
San Francisco, CASan Francisco International Airport1998Connected to AirTrain APM (automated people mover) system. Expanded in June 2008[7]
Dallas–Ft. Worth, TXDallas Fort Worth International Airport2000In 1990, DFW had two rental car sites on the north and south sides of the airport. Both hosted Avis, Budget, Hertz and National.
A new facility that consolidated more brands opened south of the airport in March 2000[8]
Albuquerque, NMAlbuquerque International Sunport2001[9]
Baltimore, MD–Washington, DCBaltimore/Washington International Airport2003[10]
Houston, TXGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport2003[11]
Oakland, CAOakland International Airport2003[12]
Ft. Lauderdale, FLFort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport2005At its opening, this was the largest facility in the US.[13]
Phoenix, AZPhoenix Sky Harbor International Airport2006Connected to PHX Sky Train APM.[14]
Las Vegas, NVHarry Reid International Airport2007[15]
Kansas City, MOKansas City International Airport2007[16]
Anchorage, AKTed Stevens Anchorage International Airport2007[17]
Spokane, WASpokane International Airport2008[18]
Atlanta, GAHartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport2009Connected to ATL SkyTrain APM.[19]
Fresno, CAFresno Yosemite International Airport2009[20]
Miami, FLMiami International Airport2010Connected to MIA Mover APM. Part of the Miami Intermodal Center[21]
San Jose, CASan Jose International Airport2010[22]
Nashville, TNNashville International Airport2011[23] [24]
Memphis, TNMemphis International Airport2012[25] [26]
Seattle, WASeattle–Tacoma International Airport2012At opening, largest facility in the US to win LEED Silver certification.[27] [28] [29] [30]
New Orleans, LALouis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport2012[31] [32] [33]
Chicago, ILMidway International Airport2013
Boston, MALogan International Airport2013[34]
Newark, NJ/New York CityNewark Liberty International Airport2013/2023Original location closed, with a new one opened in 2023 as part of new Terminal A project.[35] Connected to AirTrain Newark monorail.[36]
Burbank, CAHollywood Burbank Airport2014Part of the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center.
San Juan, Puerto RicoLuis Muñoz Marín International Airport2014
Moline, ILQuad Cities International Airport2014
Austin, TXAustin–Bergstrom International Airport 2015[37]
Charlotte, NCCharlotte Douglas International Airport 2015[38]
San Diego, CASan Diego International Airport2016[39]
Oklahoma City, OKWill Rogers World Airport 2016[40]
Salt Lake City, UTSalt Lake City International Airport 2016[41] [42]
San Antonio, TXSan Antonio International Airport2018[43]
Tampa, FLTampa International Airport 2018Connected to SkyConnect APM.[44] [45] [46] [47] [48]
Chicago, ILO'Hare International Airport2018Connected to Airport Transit System APM.[49] [50]
Kahului, HIKahului Airport2019Connected to CONRAC Tram.[51]
Honolulu, HIDaniel K. Inouye International Airport2020
Columbus, OHJohn Glenn Columbus International Airport 2021[52]
Cincinnati, OHCincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport 2021[53]
Portland, ORPortland International Airport2021
Windsor Locks, CTBradley International Airport2022
Los Angeles, CALos Angeles International Airport (LAX)2024The building is the largest CONRAC in the world at and hosts up to 21,000 rental vehicles. It connects to the airport's terminals by an under construction people mover.[54] [55]

Facilities under construction

The Reno–Tahoe International Airport is currently building a Rental Car and Ground Transportation Center, scheduled to open in 2028. [56]

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, MI is currently construction a 4-story ConRAC, scheduled to open in 2026.[57]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Weiner . Jeffrey A. . September 2, 2010 . CONRACS Evolving From Novelty to Norm . February 4, 2022 . Auto Rental News.
  2. Gunn . Derek L. . George . Osborne R. . Holcomb . Scott D. . Bekele . Addisu M. . Ardeshiri . Anam . Zheng . Jianyang . 2014 . Estimating Vehicle Trips for Consolidated Rental Car Facilities at Commercial Airports: An Emerging Need and Case Study . ITE Journal . 84 . 4 . 41–47 . . ProQuest.
  3. Web site: Gonzales. Anne. October 23, 1994. Sacramento with a capital S. February 6, 2022. Tampa Bay Times. en.
  4. News: Wade . Betsy . Betsy Wade . December 25, 1994 . PRACTICAL TRAVELER; Airports Merge Car-Rental Vans . en-US . The New York Times . February 4, 2022 . 0362-4331.
  5. News: June 6, 2022 . LAX Consolidated Rent-a-Car Facility Achieves Tenant Hand over Milestone, Moves One Step Closer to Completion . Aviation Pros . August 9, 2022.
  6. Web site: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Car Rental. World Airport Guides. August 28, 2019.
  7. Web site: Travel Media Information. June 28, 2007. November 18, 2011.
  8. Web site: 2000 . DFW International Airport Board Proposed FY 2010 Budget (p.77) . February 18, 2013 . Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
  9. Web site: Rental Car Facility Art – Albuquerque International Sunport – City of Albuquerque. November 17, 2011. 2011.
  10. Web site: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. November 17, 2011. 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100328005535/http://www.bwiairport.com/en/about-bwi/bwi-timeline. March 28, 2010.
  11. Web site: Consolidated. November 17, 2011. 2011.
  12. Web site: PGAL: Consolidated Rental Car Design by PGAL - Issuu . 2023-02-05 . issuu.com . en.
  13. Web site: Construction Contract Review of the Consolidated Rental Car Facility (RAC) at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Broward County. November 18, 2011.
  14. Web site: References. City of Phoenix. November 18, 2011.
  15. Web site: McCarran Rent-A-Car Center. Clark County Department of Aviation. 2011. November 18, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101126175030/http://mccarran.com/pdf/SR25201RentACarBrochureWeb.pdf. November 26, 2010.
  16. News: Airport Check-in: Kansas City rentals in one place. USA Today. Roger. Yu. November 18, 2011. April 29, 2007.
  17. News: Airport Check-in: Seattle-Tacoma considers holiday decor. USA Today. Roger. Yu. November 18, 2011. July 22, 2007.
  18. News: Car rental a short walk away. The Spokesman-Review. Mike. Prager. January 14, 2016. November 12, 2008.
  19. Web site: 2009 . CONRAC History . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090222235618/http://www.atlanta-airport.com/forms/airport/frmAirportInformationConstruction_CONRAC.aspx . February 22, 2009 . August 18, 2015 . Department of Aviation-City of Atlanta.
  20. News: Rental Car Facility (ConRAC) at Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FAT). March 8, 2016. PGAL. September 25, 2017. en.
  21. Web site: MIA RCC. Miami Dade County Aviation Department. November 18, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111128102305/http://www.miami-airport.com/cip_rcc.asp. November 28, 2011. dead.
  22. Web site: Terminal Area Improvement Program. November 18, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100612234755/http://sjc.org/about/improve/overview/Report_4Q07.pdf. June 12, 2010.
  23. Web site: Airport Celebrates Opening Of New Larger Rental Car Facility. Nashville, Tennessee. WTVF. November 16, 2011. November 18, 2011. TV. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120406105057/http://www.newschannel5.com/story/16058355/airport-celebrates-opening-of-new-larger-rental-car-facility. April 6, 2012.
  24. Web site: New Rental Car Facility To Open At Nashville Airport. October 25, 2011. Airport Magazine. November 18, 2011.
  25. Web site: Consolidated Parking and Rental Car Facility is the Most Complete Airport Ground Transportation Center in the Country. Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. January 6, 2011. November 18, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120423142219/http://www.mscaa.com/node/110. April 23, 2012.
  26. News: Airport Check-in: Harrisburg mosaic restored. USA Today. Roger. Yu. November 18, 2011. April 15, 2007.
  27. Web site: Rental car facility to open at Sea-Tac. The News Tribune. May 1, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130927010354/http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/05/10/2138358/airport-car-rental-site-to-open.html. September 27, 2013.
  28. Web site: Energy Efficiency. Port of Seattle. November 18, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120214170819/http://www.portseattle.org/Environmental/Air/Energy-Efficiency/Pages/default.aspx. February 14, 2012. dead.
  29. Web site: Positive Economic Sign: Rental Car Facility Construction Starts Back. Port of Seattle. November 18, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111104130957/http://www.portseattle.org/news/press/2009/07_22_2009_01.shtml. November 4, 2011. dead.
  30. News: Airports spread out check-in kiosks to cut down on lines. USA Today. Roger. Yu. November 18, 2011. October 6, 2009.
  31. Web site: Consolidated Rent-A-Car (CONRAC) Garage. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. 2011. New Orleans. November 18, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120414210028/http://www.flymsy.com/capitalimprovements/Projects-in-Construction/Consolidated-Rent-A-Car-CONRAC-Garage. April 14, 2012.
  32. Web site: Airport Expansion – A New Plan for the Future – 09/01/2011. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. September 1, 2011. November 18, 2011. New Orleans.
  33. News: Airport Check-in: Sculpture inspired by flight takes wing. USA Today. Roger. Yu. November 18, 2011. April 21, 2008.
  34. Web site: Big Move For Rental Car Companies At Logan Airport. September 24, 2013. CBSBoston.com. June 22, 2014.
  35. Web site: Newark, NJ . 2024-11-25 . www.conracsolutions.com.
  36. Web site: Newark Liberty International Airport > Ground Transportation > Car Rental. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. November 17, 2011. 2011.
  37. Web site: Austin, TX .
  38. Web site: Charlotte Douglas International Airport Rental Car Facility & Hourly Parking Deck . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190630160820/http://www.ls3p.com/portfolio-item/charlotte-douglas-international-airport-rental-car-facility-hourly-parking-deck/ . June 30, 2019 . January 17, 2022.
  39. Web site: Airport Plans Jan. 20 Opening for New Rental Car Center.
  40. Web site: Airports Department Strategic Business Plan.
  41. Web site: Salt Lake City Airport Opens New Rental Car Facility.
  42. Web site: The New SLC booklet . 8.
  43. Web site: San Antonio International Airport Opens New Consolidated Rental Car Facility.
  44. Web site: Tampa International dedicates SkyConnect, new Rental Car Center.
  45. Web site: Video; Terminal to TPA ConRAC.
  46. Web site: Video; Three years in three minutes. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/qBnDlzU_5VA . December 15, 2021 . live. YouTube.
  47. Web site: SkyConnect Ribbon Cutting. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/5GVAnHUcQXQ . December 15, 2021 . live. YouTube.
  48. News: Tampa International Airport train and car rental center open Feb. 14, with big office project in the pipeline.
  49. Web site: New O'Hare Airport parking, rental car facility opens Wednesday . November 7, 2018 . February 23, 2019.
  50. Web site: Airport Transit System . February 8, 2023 . Chicago Department of Aviation.
  51. Web site: $340M rental car facility opens at Kahului Airport .
  52. Web site: Rental Cars.
  53. Web site: CVG opens new rental car and ground transportation center . November 3, 2021.
  54. Web site: LAX Consolidated Rent-A-Car Center (CONRAC) . Los Angeles World Airports . August 21, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170813063119/http://www.gatewaytola.org/index.cfm/planned-developments/lax-consolidated-rental-car-center-conrac/ . August 13, 2017 . dead .
  55. Web site: LAX . 2024-10-17 . Avis Rent a Car . en.
  56. https://www.renoairport.com/newsroom/release-reno-tahoe-international-airports-ground-transportation-center-receives-official-greenlight-for-2028-delivery/
  57. Web site: Channel 3 . Anthony Sylvester News . 2023-05-31 . Gerald R. Ford International Airport to add consolidated rental car facility . 2024-04-11 . WWMT . en.

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