new rental car rules?

Exit Zero · Post by **Exit Zero** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:27 am

This letter was posted today - seems to be a new level of enforcement that will impact the whole STT and STJ market.
Http://no-see-um.blogspot.com/

FinsUp · Post by **FinsUp** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 5:33 am

Really??? What next?? Are they going to say everyone must carry at least 2 bags with them too? I think it's interesting this coincides with the announcement of the purchase of 2 new passenger ferries!!!! Hard to believe with a rule like that the VI are US territories.

Post by **Anthony** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:02 am

Darn you beat my scoop - I had this last night but didn't post it. Here is some more info:

The VI Code was amended in January to raise the vehicle tax to $3.75/day. At that same time, the Code was 'cleaned up' eliminating a number of grammatical errors and non-sensical, contradictorary statements & references. The paragraph cited in the Commissioner's letter has always been there, but it has not been enforceable in court due to several of those issues. Those issues were removed in January leaving the pertninent paragraph intact and enforceable.

The Commisioner has issued this letter to all Virgin Islands car rental agencies. The notice was cc'd to all the barge companies, VIPD & the Dept. of Licensing

<img src="/images/no-stt-cars-on-stj.jpg">

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:07 am

Who does this benefit? The STJ rental agencies? In the past, it seemed like everything the government did served STT interests. Why the change?

sailorgirl · Post by **sailorgirl** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:37 am

It never ceases to amaze me.

Tracy in WI · Post by **Tracy in WI** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:42 am

Wow. Ridiculous. Way to promote tourism.

Also, what if you live on St. John and want to make a run to Home Depot on St. Thomas - is it now an extra $1000 fine.....?

kristen1206 · Post by **kristen1206** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:49 am

What? what? what? I will be arriving in less than 2 months and have a Jeep reserved through Amalie. Do I now need to find a rental on St John instead??

augie · Post by **augie** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:49 am

I can't imagine this not being challenged in court.

sailorgirl · Post by **sailorgirl** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:07 am

Tracy in WI wrote:Wow. Ridiculous. Way to promote tourism.

Also, what if you live on St. John and want to make a run to Home Depot on St. Thomas - is it now an extra $1000 fine.....?

The reg applies specifically to rental cars only, so residents would not be effected.

Tracy in WI · Post by **Tracy in WI** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:15 am

sailorgirl wrote:
Tracy in WI wrote:Wow. Ridiculous. Way to promote tourism.

Also, what if you live on St. John and want to make a run to Home Depot on St. Thomas - is it now an extra $1000 fine.....?
The reg applies specifically to rental cars only, so residents would not be effected.

Just saw that sorry.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:19 am

Unfortunately I believe this law has always been in effect (not 100% on this though) but most agencies chose to ignore it except for Hertz and all rental agencies on St John. It's going to get very, very interesting !!

Pia

augie · Post by **augie** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:37 am

Law of supply and demand would suggest that prices are about to go up, and customer service is about to be lowered, at all STJ rental agencies.

JohnM · Post by **JohnM** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:47 am

Cynical me can see the rationale behind this.

With the VI eventually taking ownership of the new ferries for the Red Hook – Cruz Bay run, and leasing them out to the highest bidder, this increases the value of those leases if the winning bidder is assured having more paying customers.

Sigh! Time to look for a car rental in Cruz Bay. (I’ve forgotten how to do that.)

papabou · Post by **papabou** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:51 am

i see 2 problems for stj tourism.
first, there won't be enough jeeps on stj to accommodate visitors during high season. even if the stj rental agencies could acquire more jeeps, will the small lots hold any more?
second, some potential visitors who would rent their vehicle on stt for the convenience will pass on going to stj. i'm not sure i would have tried 1st stj stay after a few stays on stt w/o ease of renting car at airport from a national chain (avis that i quickly moved away from).
while there will be extra business for stj rental cos (if they have rental units) loss of tourism will effect most other businesses. of course the big losers will be the stt rental agencies and the barge companies. without the cross channel rental car traffic, will all 3 barge operators remain viable? i noted on my trips to and from stj on 4/4 & 4/11 the barges were about half full and a lot of the vehicles were stt rental cars like us. if one of the barge cos folds then the locals on both islands lose a lot of flexibilty. oh well i was always to practical to hold a goverment job.
glad we got our trip in before this gets to be an issue.

papabou

Puddlejumper · Post by **Puddlejumper** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:04 am

This regulation reeks of corruption at first glance.

If the vehicles I own were restricted to one town or county where I live in NC, how do you think that would work?

This will come back to bite tourism, barge companies, and the STJ rental agencies in the long run with less visitors.

As one person said they would rethink the 'hassle' of transfers from the airport to Cruz Bay. I would agree. If allowed to remain in tack, I would have to rethink how and when I visit STJ. At a minimum.

Let's all wait to see how this shakes out. Hopefully, less government intervention will prevail.

usvi-on-line

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new rental car rules?

new rental car rules?