No St. Thomas rental cars allowed on St. John! UPDATE -

STTlover · Post by **STTlover** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:55 pm

Just saw on TA that someone in the Dept of Tourism said to contact the USVI Senators to get this law off the books permanently.

augie · Post by **augie** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:55 pm

MIke wrote:Just changed my reservation from Dependable to Courtesy.

Dangit

I guess Starfish's prices will be way up.

Fixed it for you.

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:56 pm

the dept of tourism contact page is here:

http://www.visitusvi.com/contact_us

I also emailed the person Augie and Pia listed:

jerris.browne@bmv.vi.gov

planning on contacting Governor's office that Minde listed also

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:58 pm

contact page for USVI Senate

http://www.legvi.org/index.php?option=c ... Itemid=205

STTlover · Post by **STTlover** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:59 pm

http://www.legvi.org/index.php?option=c ... Itemid=205

Here is the contact information for the senators..

CBama.....great minds think alike!

kristen1206 · Post by **kristen1206** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:59 pm

lucky that you got a car at coutesy. I was told they were booked solid. ended up getting a dodge nitro at Spencers. really wanted the wrangler. ad spencer's makes me nervous but it is what it is. hopefully we can still keep our reservation at Amalie.

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:01 pm

I wonder when this 60 day grace period starts because we will have already gone over to STJ within the 60 day period if it starts today but won't have returned.

kristen1206 · Post by **kristen1206** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:03 pm

same here, nothintolose

augie · Post by **augie** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:04 pm

nothintolose wrote:I wonder when this 60 day grace period starts because we will have already gone over to STJ within the 60 day period if it starts today but won't have returned.

No telling since this is the VIs we're talking about, but I would imagine that *IF* this law sticks, and if a 60 day grace period is put into effect, that they would ban departures off of the island of registration beginning with the first day after the grace period expires.

In other words, as long as you left STT before the grace period expires you'd be OK.

ruffmom · Post by **ruffmom** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:05 pm

Wow, this is really going to affect my visits. I know it is a pain for almost anyone who got used to the ease of renting on STT and being able to stop at CostULess or KMart. But imagine if you are traveling with someone with limited mobility like your elderly parents or in-laws. Getting the rental at the airport made the trip tiring but doable. Now getting off the plane and having to switch to a crowded taxi and then to a ferry and then to a rental car..all with waits and walks. I am afraid my mother is just
not up for that. I imagine it is somewhat like traveling with babies or very young children. It just makes the whole trip much less feasible. I know that perhaps that is the way it used to be but it makes St John much less accessible for everyone.

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:06 pm

Maddy from Gov. deJongh's office just called me back. She said that DMV is drafting notice to STT rental agencies, that they can honor the contracts that are already in place and giving them a 60 day grace period of sorts.

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:15 pm

STTLOVER: guess we were typing it at the same time...

the 60 day period will expire on the Saturday before we arrive on Wednesday if I figured correctly...

I would prefer to keep my rental on STT, but afraid there will be no jeeps left!

STTlover · Post by **STTlover** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:19 pm

I vacation on STT, but visit STJ whenever we go. This will greatly effect my upcoming visit in August. We will be coming w/ 10 family members w/ two toddlers. Taking the car over for a beach day is our only option w/ everything we tote w/ us. So while the 60 day grace period is great for those who will be visiting in the next two months, it sucks for us who are after that. So I say keep the letters to the powers that be going!!!

sailorgirl · Post by **sailorgirl** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:33 pm

Florida Girl wrote:I'm sorry for all you folks who rent on STT and stop by Cost-U-Less and do big shopping. What a hassle. Me? I've never rented a car on STT and never go in high season, so it won't affect me.

If you spend the money on a private taxi, won't they stop at Cost-U-Less and stock up? I realize it would be a hassle to lug everything aboard the people ferry, but it could work.

I bet the car ferry business will suffer, though.

All true, there are ways to work around it but it just goes into the calculus of whether we choose to spend our scare vacay time and $$$ on St. John or somewhere we percieve as less of a hassle.

I just don't understand why governments do the things they do!

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:37 pm

from localsailor on the other forum:

"Please email the Governor - Mr. Browne of the BMV is under his direction - unless this directive originated with the Attorney General office - changing the law via the VI Senate will be a very LONG , if ever, process!"

I have already emailed the Governor's office with the link Minde posted>

contact@governordeJongh.com

usvi-on-line

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No St. Thomas rental cars allowed on St. John! UPDATE -