Does the agreement specify any geographic limits regarding the accessibility requirements for Budget's shuttle vehicles?
Budget Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- Avis further agrees that, on or before December 31, 2000, the shuttle systems at all Airport Facilities operated by Avis on the Effective Date of this Agreement will each contain at least one accessible shuttle vehicle, regardless of whether an accessible shuttle vehicle is required by the ADA or its implementing regulations. The shuttle system at Miami International Airport shall be exempt from the requirements set forth in this paragraph because a height-restricted tunnel along the shuttle route precludes the use of lift-equipped vehicles. Avis agrees that the deployment of such accessible vehicles shall be completed in accordance with the schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A. Avis further agrees that, within sixty (60) days of its acquisition of any new Airport Facility with a shuttle system, whether that system could be considered a fixed route or demand responsive system, the shuttle system at that facility shall contain at least one accessible shuttle vehicle regardless of whether an accessible shuttle vehicle would otherwise be required by the ADA or its implementing regulations. Avis agrees that from and after the date it is required by this paragraph to deploy an accessible vehicle in the fleet at a given Airport Facility, it will ensure that at least one accessible shuttle vehicle will be permanently deployed and fully operational at that location at all times. This obligation is binding upon Avis and its successors and assigns for as long as any shuttle system, whether fixed route, demand responsive, or of any other nature, is operated at that Airport Facility.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 80–426)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Budget's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the agreement includes details about shuttle vehicle accessibility, particularly concerning airport facilities. A settlement agreement with the Department of Justice requires Budget to treat all shuttle systems at its airport facilities as fixed route systems, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This necessitates that these systems meet specific accessibility standards.
The agreement emphasizes that all large capacity vehicles (over 16 passengers, including the driver) purchased or leased for use at any airport facility must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs. This requirement applies regardless of whether such accessibility is otherwise mandated by the ADA or its implementing regulations. For airport facilities operated by Avis (a related entity) as of a specific effective date, all shuttle systems were required to be in full compliance with regulations governing shuttle vehicle acquisition for fixed route systems by December 31, 2000, with some exceptions for Las Vegas and Los Angeles, which had a later deadline of December 31, 2003.
However, the document also notes an exception: the shuttle system at Miami International Airport is exempt from these requirements due to a height-restricted tunnel along the shuttle route that prevents the use of lift-equipped vehicles. This indicates that while Budget aims for nationwide compliance with accessibility standards for shuttle vehicles, specific geographic limitations or exceptions may exist due to infrastructural constraints or other factors. A prospective franchisee should inquire about any other location-specific exemptions or modifications to these accessibility requirements that may apply to their intended area of operation.