Car Rentals: Planning a Weekend Getaway

When I moved to the big city, buying a car seemed like a waste of money. The subway takes me anywhere I want to go, and there are always cabs as a backup. When I do want to get out of the city for a weekend, I arrange for a car rental. Rentals are great for me. I get to choose the type of vehicle that I want, buy insurance to cover the trip, and concentrate on enjoying myself. If the car develops engine trouble, I call the agency and they pick me up in a replacement. Thanks to my club discounts, I even get price breaks on some of my rentals. If you are new to the idea of renting a car, let me help. I'll show you how to get the best terms, including the lowest price. That'll make for a more pleasant trip.

All Hail The Future Of The Taxi Cab: 3 Things You Might Be Able To Look Forward To

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If you could take your average taxicab from a place like LAX Car Service and transform it to accommodate your every wish, what types of features would it have? Fortunately, auto manufacturers have wondered the same thing. Here are three luxuries that you might be able to find in the taxicabs of the future, so that you can remain comfortable during your commute.

1: Interactive Touch Screens

Although taxis can deliver you safely to your destination, the fact of the matter is that cab rides can be boring for people of all ages. Your kids might pester your driver with questions or smear their hands across the immaculate windows, and you might find yourself wishing that you had a higher data usage limit on your cell phone.

Fortunately, some cities have started experimenting with installing interactive touch screens in the back of cabs. These screens can be programmed to do many things, but here are just a few of the sweet options that you might be able to enjoy.

  • Free Wi-Fi Access: With free Internet access, you won't have to worry about waiting until you get to the office to fire up your laptop and take care of business.
  • Entertainment Console: Interactive games, television shows, and fun trivia can keep your children entertained, so that they stay quiet and sit tight.
  • GPS Tracker: Are you wondering how much longer it will be until you arrive at your destination? Interactive touch screens can be programmed to work with GPS systems, so that you know exactly how much longer the ride will take.
  • Local Dining and Shopping Information: If you are visiting a new place, it can be tricky to know what restaurants to try and where all of the great shopping centers are located. Interactive touch screens inside of cabs can give you the inside scoop regarding local activities, restaurant menus, and nearby boutiques.

With the help of interactive touch screens, you can familiarize yourself with a new city before you even get to your hotel.  

2: Antimicrobial Seats

If you tend to be a germaphobe, nothing is worse than climbing into the back of a cab where thousands of people have sat before you. Although your friends and family members might think that your antics are over the top, the fact of the matter is that car interiors have been found to contain more bacteria than public restrooms. Even the best-kept upholstery can contain upwards of 700 bacteria per square inch, whereas public restrooms only contain about 80.

Because taxi drivers spend their entire day transporting people to and from work, school, and doctor's appointments, auto manufacturers have found a way to address bacterial growth in car interiors. In fact, by using special fabrics that have microscopic silver particles woven throughout the upholstery, newer taxi backseats might be able to reduce the presence of bacteria by as much as 99.9%. Because silver is a natural antimicrobial agent, new taxi backseats might be cleaner than your own home.

3: Automatic Climate Control

Have you ever climbed into the backseat of a cab and instantly realized that the temperature was either way too hot or way too cold? You probably worried about messing up your makeup by bundling up, or walking into your meeting with sweat stains gracing your freshly ironed shirt.

To resolve this problem, newer taxicabs boast an automatic climate control feature that automatically resets the interior temperature to a cool 72 degrees. If you prefer your ride to be a little warmer or cooler, you can easily request a temperature change with the help of your interactive touch screen. When you have access to climate controls, you can adjust the temperature to your preferences, without making the next passenger uncomfortable.

New taxi technology will give you the opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride, even when you don't have the luxury of driving your own car. 

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10 October 2014