Does PFS require using rations and how much are pony rentals? (First Steps, Part 3)

[Shurijo]

I'm a new GM running the First Steps scenario pack. In the last module, it has the players traveling 7 days over land (one way).

In Part 3, it says that if a player has a slower movement rate of 30 (assuming loaded movement and not base movement), then the NPC offers to rent them a pony mount so they don't slow down the group. It seems that the adventures have "7 or 8" days, so the group must travel at 30 to make this deadline.

* What should happen if the player(s) do not accept the pony mount rental fee?
* Which rulebook has the rules for rentals? I see the full purchase price in the core rulebook, but I can't find text on how much to charge for rental?
* Should I give rental for free?

Second, rations. In all of the games that I've played, everyone bought rations to make our character sheets look right, but none of the GMs have every required us to actually use them (I might have given some to a beggar once for gather info help, but I've never used rations for food). Is there a specific rule on this for Pathfinder Society game play? It adds up a bit (5 sp per day), so the players that spend 3.5gp for a week trip (one way) will (at level 1) will be less than players who play same scenario and don't spend that money.

* Are we (GMs) required to enforce this rule?
* Can I improvise and require players to have 7 days worth of rations, then just gift them a ration box to replenish their supplies at end, so that it doesn't affect their character gold?

Thanks

[Sniggevert]

In general, modes of travel (usually boat passage) such as this are handwaved and considered covered from a stipend from the Society. I perused this scenario, and couldn't find anything specific about a price for rentals. If there's to be a charge for travel services, it should be called out in the scenario itself.

In regards to rations, again that's one that's normally handwaved in PFS. If you give a beggar, or informant, food in character, you should denote that use from your inventory, but just general food expenditures is generally waved.

Hope this helps!

[Shurijo]

Thanks for the info.

[J.J., Agent of the Decemvirate]

I was delighted to hear that the Society was covering travel expenses when I went on a mission to Qadira. I was less excited when they refused to cover the cure disease when a Qadiran leper stuck his finger in my mouth.

On a related note, sisters of the Dawnflower just went up a couple of notches in my book.