QUICK HITS.

Special equipment: The Hertz Corp. has introduced to its shuttle bus fleet at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport lift-equipped buses to accommodate physically impaired renters using wheelchairs or scooters. Initially, three lift-equipped buses will be available, with more added as older buses are replaced, said Walter Seaman, Hertz Division Vice President, Fleet, Maintenance and Car Sales Operations.

Buses at Phoenix Airport are used by Hertz to transport customers between the terminal and its on-airport car rental facility.

Alaskan volunteers: Wanted: trail crew members at Denali State Park (chain saw provided). Or maybe you and your sweetie would like to be back-country ranger assistants at Nancy Lake State Recreation Area (two openings, couples preferred). Alaska's state parks program is seeking hundreds of summer volunteers for a variety of positions, including natural history interpreter, campground host, and trail crew. Many of the positions in the 115 state parks come with a food stipend of $100 to $300 per month. Get the catalog describing what's needed from Volunteer Coordinator, Alaska State Parks, 3601 C St. Suite 1200, Anchorage, Alaska 99503; call [phone].

Yahoo, dude: More than 100 western ranches that belong to the Dude Ranchers' Association are described in the group's 1996 directory, which also explains what goes on during a ranch vacation and how to select a ranch that fits your interests. The association makes the point that its members are real ranches, not just hotels with horses. The directory costs $5 from the DRA, Box 471-G, LaPorte, Colo. 80535.

Taxi fare: One of New York's most suspense-filled tourist traditions - taking a taxi from Kennedy Airport to Manhattan and waiting to see what the meter would show - has become just another cab ride. The city's taxi commission just introduced a flat rate of $30 for the trip for a four-month trial, spurred largely by complaints and evidence of taxi drivers' bilking visitors, especially foreigners, by taking circuitous routes to run up the meter or charging fabricated surcharges. The flat rate doesn't include tolls or tips, and it applies only to Manhattan, not to the other boroughs. For trips from city to airport, the meter still rules.

Delta No. 1: Delta ranked at the top in domestic airline customer satisfaction among the nine major U.S. carriers flying domestic routes, according to the 1995 Frequent Flyer/J.D. Power and Associates Domestic Airline Frequent Flyer Customer Satisfaction Study released by J.D. Power and Associates in conjunction with Frequent Flyer Magazine and Official Airline Guide.

A nationally representative sample of nearly 7,500 evaluations from frequent airline travelers evaluated specific trips within the United States. Each trip and airline was evaluated by customers on 39 specific pre-flight, in-flight and airport activities.

The ranking in terms of overall customer satisfaction among frequent flyers of the nine major U.S. carriers were, in rank order: Delta, American, United, America West, Northwest, TWA, USAir, Southwest and Continental (tied for fourth place). Delta's top ranking is attributed, in part, to in-flight phone/entertainment systems, boarding and check-in procedures and flight attendants' performance.

Teacher cards: With school vacations coming up, teachers might want to get more information on the International Teacher Identity Card from the Council on International Educational Exchange (I.D. Dept., 205 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10017; [phone]). The card, which costs $19, provides teachers with access to discounted air fares, travel insurances and, this year, discounts at hotels, restaurants and commission-free foreign currency exchange.

Give peace a chance: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board reported that in 1995, vacationers to Northern Ireland increased 68 percent to 430,000, a surge attributed to the cease-fire of 1994 between the IRA and Protestant guerrillas. The board also noted that a survey of visitors showed 92 percent wanted to make a return visit.