CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new transportation service will be hitting the streets of Charlotte this week, shuttling people from South End to Uptown for free.
It's called Green Easy Safe Transportation, or GEST Carts. The service will offer rides to people between the I-277 corridor, First Ward, Second Ward, Third Ward, Fourth Ward and South End, all at no charge.
"We are an urban core short distance micro-transit," GEST co-founder Patrick Dye said. "The reason why it's free is the advertisers for the vehicles cover the expenses."
Dye, a UNC Charlotte graduate, said all riders have to do is call a cart through the GEST app, similar to Uber and Lyft.
"We can pick you up at your front door," Dye said. "We can take you to bars, to restaurants or events."
GEST carts have already been seen on streets in cities like Chicago, Las Vegas, Cincinnati, Denver and Detroit.
In Charlotte, there will be two carts to start but investor Corey Johnson said it could be upwards of 10 in the near future.
"Six to eight is the long-term model," Johnson explained.
The new service will also create jobs for drivers and mechanics. Dye said GEST hopes to bring somewhere between 20-40 jobs to Charlotte.
To keep riders safe, the carts will be cleaned and sanitized between rides. Drivers and riders will be required to wear masks.
"It's just fun," Johnson said. "It's free and it's fun."
Contact Ruby Durham at rdurham@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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