Car-rental giant Avis announced Monday that it will be offering a new service that will put it in contention with taxis, limousine and car rental services.

The new service allows people to book a chauffer when renting with a 24-hour notice in 10 big cities, a move that consultant Michael Kane, along with other rental experts applauds.

Hal Morgan of the Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association believes, however, that the local licensing restrictions would preclude Avis from pushing through with the service.

Michael Caron, Avis Vice President, however, stated that the local laws regulating cars for hire does not affect Avis’ new service since it is not in the livery business. Plus, the company bills the customers using the service separately from WeDriveU, a company that provides chauffers.

The chauffer service is aimed for midlevel and high-level executives, wherein they can request a chauffer at anytime that they arrive in an airport, or even dismiss a chauffer so they can drive themselves.

Publisher of the Black Car News Neil Weiss is skeptical of Avis’ service rate, which for him may not be profitable. The service rate may meet opposition from the livery business and its regulators since Avis’ chauffer vehicle service undercuts them.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor

Broward Limo - Miami Limousine Services