Free Republic

The authorities that run San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge announced that next year, they will remove the crossing's human toll takers and replace them with electronic sensors. The switch has been sold as a triumph for efficiency and traffic flow but is potential budget disaster for tourists who now risk stumbling into fines or having to pay more money for e-pass equipment. Cities and states across the world have been moving to sensor-based tolling systems, from TxTag in Texas to E-ZPass in 14 states, without regard to the burden it places on tourists who either don't understand the system,...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. customers who smoke in an Avis or Budget rental car after Oct. 1 will be fined up to $250, the Avis Budget Group said. The ban makes Avis and Budget the first major car rental companies to ban smoking in a North American fleet, USA Today reported Monday. "The No. 1 request we get is for a smoke-free car," Avis Budget Group spokesman John Barrows said. Avis and Budget cars will be inspected on return for the smell of smoke, Barrows said, adding it costs more to clean a smoky car because the car...

Mirabella V - believed to be the largest and most expensive yacht in the world - left Portsmouth on her maiden voyage on Sunday A good head for heights is needed atop the £30m yacht's 90m-tall mast The yacht was made in Southampton for US businessman Joe Vittoria, the former head of car hire firm Avis The interior was designed by Mrs Vittoria herself The yacht is heading for Mrs Vittoria's home town of Naples ====================================== Snippets of Related BBC Article: ....Mr Vittoria....The former head of car hire firm Avis then intends to charter the yacht out at a cost...