Meet Gambian in New York Among the first drivers of the new Electric Yellow Taxi Fleet

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Bubacarr Jammeh, a young Gambian immigrant moved to the US a decade ago in search of education and greener pasture.

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.

Jammeh setting up for the day

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.

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.

“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.

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Mr. Sainey M.K. Marenah is a Prominent Gambian journalist, founding editor The Alkamba Times and formerly head of communications at the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) and Communications and PR Consultant for The Gambia Pilot Program, under Gamworks. Mr. Marenah served as the Social media Strategist and Editor at Gambia Radio and Television Services. He is also the Banjul Correspondent for Voice of America Radio. Sainey is a human rights and developmental journalist who has carved a strong niche particularly in new media environments in the Gambian media industry. Mr. Marenah began his career as a junior reporter with the Point Newspaper in the Gambia in 2008 and rose through the ranks to become Chief correspondent before moving to The Standard Newspaper also in Banjul as Editorial Assistant and head of News. He is a household name in the Gambia’s media industry having covered some of the most important stories in the former and current government. These include the high profile treason cases including the Trial of Former military chiefs in Banjul in 2009 to 2012. Following his arrest and imprisonment by the former regime of President, Yahya Jammeh in 2014, Marenah moved to Dakar Senegal where he continues to practice Journalism freelancing for various local and international Media organization’s including the BBC, Al-Jazeera, VOA, and ZDF TV in Germany among others. He is the co-Founder of the Banjul Based Media Center for Research and Development; an institution specialized in research and development undertakings. As a journalist and Communication Expert, focused on supporting the Gambia's transitional process, Mr Marenah continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a viable media and communications platform that engages necessary tools and action to increase civic participation and awareness of the needs of transitional governance to strengthen the current move towards democratization. Mr. Marenah has traveled extensively as a professional journalist in both Europe, Africa and United States and attended several local and international media trainings.

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