MACON, Ga. — If you're walking around downtown Macon, you'll soon see a snazzy, new vehicle on the road.
Gene Watson with Hop On Macon hopes to offer free rides to downtown pedestrians on his e-Tuk vehicle by early February.
Watson explains the e-Tuk is a take on Asian tuk-tuks.
"Anyone having been overseas, especially in Asia, you've probably seen the little tuk-tuks running around, they're a major source of transit in Asia and in Europe," Watson said. "This is a larger version of that same vehicle, it is totally electric, it has no emissions, it has no noise, it is a licensed, registered vehicle just like your automobile is."
The e-Tuk seats six people, has seat belts and can go up to 25 miles per hour. For the cooler months, the seats can be heated, and clear weather screens are available in case it rains.
The idea for the ride service came to Watson around two years ago. He was contracted by B. Monroe Salon to shuttle customers from their parking space to the salon.
"The amazing thing about it is, our patrons loved it, but the people in downtown loved it even more," Watson said. "I was continually being asked for rides by the people in downtown."
Now he's giving out those rides for free, but needs local businesses and organizations to sponsor the service.
Watson says sponsors will be able to place advertisements on the e-Tuk's screens and sides of the vehicle itself. They'll also be advertised on Hop On Macon's social media.
"Basically that's what our service is about. We want to provide Macon with better transit, better access and mobility, because we have an awesome downtown, and we have incredible businesses, and people need to be able to move around freely, especially from our hotels, from Mercer University, from our major hospital, from all these places," Watson said.
Hop On Macon currently has four sponsors -- B. Monroe Salon, Ocmulgee Brewpub, Bearfoot Tavern and the Lofts at Empire Yard.
Watson has one e-Tuk right now but hopes to expand to at least four more.
He says he's running the service sporadically, but once they get more sponsors, the rides will hopefully be a regular thing by early February.
"So if you see us out now, any time during the day, just flag us down, and we'll give you a fun, free ride," Watson said.