As New Yorkers welcome new electric yellow taxis across the busy metropolis introduced by Gravity Inc. sustainable mobility and electric vehicle infrastructure company, one Gambian immigrant in New York City is among the first drivers of the new fleet of yellow cabs in the world’s busiest city.
In early May, the company announced the debut of the first ever zero-emission, fleet-based taxi service and dedicated distributed Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) charging infrastructure, which is being piloted in New York City this Spring.
Bubacarr Jammeh, a young Gambian immigrant moved to the US a decade ago in search of education and greener pasture.
In this Interview exclusive the young cab driver shared his delight and experience with Alkamba Times from his base in New York City.
“It feels so surreal to be the first to drive Fort Mustang Mach- E all-electric driver to hit the streets of NYC. Over 135,000 NYC Taxi and limousine commission TLC vehicles serve a million passengers each day. 13,000 of those are yellow cabs and to be the first New Yorker (immigrant) to drive the fort mustang Mach e SUV and Tesla Model Y all electric I have to say it came as a surprise.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology including innovative fleet optimization algorithms, this fleet of Tesla Model Y BEV, according to the company will be available via street hailing and on-demand booking, while maintaining current yellow cab pricing, providing a cutting edge in-cabin passenger experience, and ensuring equitable compensation to the drivers of its fleet.
“What Gravity is bringing to New York City is beyond electric vehicles; these will be the taxis and charging spaces of the future,” said Gravity CEO, Moshe Cohen in May at the Launch of the new fleets.
The former US Reserve Army turned Taxi driver, said he is excited and encouraged other cab drivers to consider driving electric fleets of yellow taxis.
“For the past 4 years, I have been driving TLC in the city of New York. I drove many types and models of vehicles from Mercedes, Hyundai, and Toyota, but the kind of attention I got from New Yorkers and tourists in the city I have never seen anything like it before.”
He said: “I average 25 trips a shift. Passengers are skeptical at first about whether I am a real cab driver because the vehicle is nice, smooth, clean, comfortable, and quiet for a regular taxi.
It brings back nostalgia for folks who drove 1960 Ford Mustangs as their first car in their teens … I hear some very emotional stories.
From 1st avenue to 11 avenues, the Hudson River to the east river, and downtown Manhattan to Harlem pedestrians are constantly taking pictures, seeing huge smiles on people’s faces… it’s really exciting to see as the city comes back from a 2-year lockdown due to the pandemic.”
According to Buba, Uber airport fares are insanely expensive while yellow taxi JFK airport flat rates cover half of Uber.
“People should know that, especially my Africans who happen to visit the city. Next time you come to NYC, contact Gravity Inc for a great comfortable ride across the city,” he said.
Formed in 2020 with a full suite of mobile technology, Gravity is the next generation BEV fleet and distributed energy infrastructure operator, with an in-cabin experience tailored to the needs of the modern traveler alongside charging spaces of the future.
In Spring 2021, Gravity hit the ground as a pioneer in sustainability entering NY as a taxi operator making in-cabin technology and services available to all medallion owners and drivers.
