CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for passenger car rental agencies in Bakersfield, CA
Passenger car rental agencies in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area: 16 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 2-person team.
- Establishments
- 16CBP 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 1.7U.S. 2.8
- Rank
- 103rd of 367areas by count
The car rental agency market in Bakersfield, CA
County Business Patterns counts 16 passenger car rental agencies (NAICS 532111, Passenger Car Rental) in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area for 2023. By establishment count the area is 103rd out of 367 areas with published figures for passenger car rental agencies.
Measured against its 923,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 1.7 passenger car rental agencies per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 2.8, so Bakersfield, CA is 38.2% below the national figure.
| Measure | Bakersfield, CA | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 16 | 1,190 | 9,548 |
| Mid-March employees | 109 (high noise) | 12,586 (high noise) | 84,637 (high noise) |
| Annual payroll | $4,691,000 (high noise) | $706,720,000 (moderate noise) | $4,246,355,000 (high noise) |
| Employees per establishment | — | — | — |
| Payroll per employee | — | — | — |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 1.7 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Establishment size: passenger car rental agencies in Bakersfield, CA
Of the passenger car rental agencies in Bakersfield, CA that had employees in March 2023, 31.3% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 46.7%). 68.8% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 5 | 31.3% | 46.7% |
| 5–9 employees | 6 | 37.5% | 30.5% |
| 10–19 employees | 5 | 31.3% | 15.2% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 4.7% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 2.9% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for passenger car rental agencies in Bakersfield, CA
Rental agencies take reservation, extension and return calls. Independent and franchise locations rely on the phone for local customers. That holds for passenger car rental agencies in Bakersfield, CA as much as anywhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for passenger car rental agencies in Bakersfield, CA:
- A traveler calls about availability.
- The agency calls a customer about a late return.
- A customer calls about a damage question.
Texting renters
Agencies text pickup instructions and return reminders.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for passenger car rental agencies in Bakersfield, CA
Census did not publish a reliable employee count for passenger car rental agencies in Bakersfield, CA, so this comparison uses the U.S. average of 2 people per establishment. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $49.90 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $60.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata costs $99.00 a month ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), so at this team size both per-seat plans are cheaper; Callata drops below them from 4 users.
At this team size the per-seat plans cost less than Callata's $99 base price, which already covers 5 users; Callata becomes the lower price from 4 users.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $38.00 | $456.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $46.00 | $552.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $49.90 | $598.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $54.00 | $648.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $60.00 | $720.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Which area code to use in Bakersfield, CA
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 4 area codes. 661 has the most, with 322 of 360 exchanges (89%). A local number lets renters in Bakersfield, CA call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 661 | 322 | Pacific | 1999 | none |
| 760 | 20 | Pacific | 1997 | 442 |
| 442 | 10 | Pacific | 2009 | 760 |
| 805 | 8 | Pacific | 1957 | 820 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for passenger car rental agencies
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Bakersfield, CA is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many passenger car rental agencies are there in Bakersfield, CA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 16 passenger car rental agencies in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area in 2023.
What does a business phone system cost for a 2-person car rental agency?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 2 users cost $60.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $49.90 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $99.00.
What area code should a car rental agency in Bakersfield, CA use?
Area code 661 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 760 and 442. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a car rental agency?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.