CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston became the second city in the U.S. Friday to introduce an alternate means of transportation called Autopods.
What’s described as a ‘micro-transport’ flat-rate taxi service will offer rides in the Capital City within a two-mile radius on flat roads.
“These are high-tech, Rickshaw-type of instruments,” said President and CEO of the Charleston CVB Alisa Bailey. “It will allow people to get from the flats of Charleston; from the Capitol down to Patrick Street, in a very environmentally friendly way and a safe way.”
The Autopods will provide an option for tourists, event goers, diners and shoppers, Bailey said.
“These are the kinds of things that will be easy. You don’t have to go find your car, you don’t have to park; it’s just 5 dollars,” she said. “They have an app that you download and you can call for it. You can pay by cash. It’s just a fun way for us to show tourists the towns.”
Charleston will start off by having two Autopods available, and adding more will depend on the demand for them.
“We anticipate that the demand will be very seasonal. But our season really runs from spring through fall. I’m hoping there will be more than just two available as we see what the demand is,” said Bailey.
She explained that the zero emissions, three-wheeled, electric-assisted bicycles are environmentally friendly.
“It starts out by human power, and then a solar powered battery kicks in,” she said. “They only go about 20 miles an hour. But this is the perfect landscape for them to travel. We think there’s going to be a lot of buzz about it and a lot of use.”
The Autopods will focus on high traffic areas, and be available to serve people attending big events in the city.
Local drivers will be hired and trained to operate the pods. Autopods had been searching for small to mid-sized cities across the U.S. for its pilot program, and picked Charleston for one of its pilot programs.
The Autopods were introduced Friday at Haddad Riverfront Park.