City officials and Hertz representatives gathered at Union Station on Oct. 1 to celebrate the opening of a new rental car office inside the station.
Reminder Publishing photo by Ryan Feyre
SPRINGFIELD — A new Hertz rental car office has officially opened in Union Station next to the Peter Pan Bus lines ticket booth.
According to Hertz Area Manager Nick Daddabbo, the rental cars will be available in the Union Station parking garage, accessible via Main Street to allow for “convenient pickups and returns.”
Daddabbo added that cars will be available to rent or drop off for round trip or one-way travel.
“We’re thrilled to be back in the Springfield community and thrilled to be here in Union Station to serve the community,” Daddabbo said at the official ribbon cutting on Oct. 1.
According to Mayor Domenic Sarno’s office, the new rental car location rounds out the Springfield Redevelopment Authority’s vision for Union Station as a full-service intermodal transportation hub, just in time for the holiday travel season.
Springfield Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan welcomed Union Station’s newest tenant, noting its importance to the community following the city’s announcement that there would be an increased police presence at the station after a recent spike in calls for service.
“We have increased security for the station in order to improve the visitor experience to the station and make sure that travelers get to where they need to go safely and conveniently, and this is a big addition to that,” Sheehan said.
Hertz signed a multi-year lease to be in Union Station, according to the company. Located at 55 Frank B. Murray St., the station — owned by the Springfield Redevelopment Authority — beckons 200,000 visitors a month and almost 3 million visitors a year. Aside from providing amenities like Subway, Dunkin’ and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, it also serves as the city’s major transportation hub for rail and bus service.
The new Hertz will now add to that Rolodex.
“We’re very excited to welcome our latest tenant to Union Station,” said Bill Baker, Sarno’s chief of staff, who was there representing Sarno at the ribbon cutting.
The rental car office will operate Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to Hertz, customers will have a wide array of vehicle options to choose from, including sport sedans, eco-friendly models, classic sedans, SUVs and minivans.
“The SRA is thrilled to welcome Hertz Car Rental to historic Union Station,” said Springfield Redevelopment Authority Chair Margaret Boyle. “This new addition strengthens Union Station’s role as the crossroads of New England, connecting travelers with all that Springfield has to offer.”
