WTM 2017: Rentalcars integrates Rideways to offer B2C clients full ground transportation

WTM 2017: Rentalcars integrates Rideways to offer B2C clients full ground transportation

Rentalcars have created teams working across its core car hire and alternative ground transportation brand Rideways to offer trade partners a mix of product to suit their requirements. Ady Guthrie, global partnerships director at B2B division Rentalcars Connect, said its … Continue reading

Rentalcars have created teams working across its core car hire and alternative ground transportation brand Rideways to offer trade partners a mix of product to suit their requirements.

Ady Guthrie, global partnerships director at B2B division Rentalcars Connect, said its Rideways brand was “scaling at a tremendous rate”.

He said the non-self drive sector, including taxis, transfers, buses and trains, was more fragmented and harder work but offered good growth prospects for Rentalcars.

Rentalcars Connect has responded to demand by offering a hybrid option of car hire and Rideways product as clients look for a full ground transportation partner.

“New Connect teams are responsible for car hire and Rideways product,” he said. “We are getting more and more companies wanting a dual solution.

“In some destinations people are much more likely to take a transfer than car hire. We can offer all options in the same merchandising unit.

“It’s not as dynamic as we’d like it to be yet, but we know where we want to go with it. It’s about pushing the right product for the customer.”

Guthrie said the focus was currently on road vehicle transportation but integrating trains is high on the agenda although this is challenging as many operators are still government owned.

Among Rentalcars’ customers taking a dual car rental and ground transportation feed is Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air.