http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3092291/Tuk-tuk-taxi-maker-aims-make-inroads-US.html Will tuk-tuks replace taxis in the US? Company pushing popular Asian rickshaws as a cheaper, greener alternative to cabs By Associated Press 22 May 2015
[images http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/05/22/13/6YiBNORCd-HSK1-3092291-In_this_photograph_taken_Friday_Feb_27_2015_Colin_Sommers_left_d-a-34_1432298907920.jpg Company: Colin Sommers, left, director of engineering for eTuk USA, Walid Mourtada, center, chief executive officer, and Michael Fox show off one of their company's electric Tuk-Tuk models being prepared for delivery http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/05/22/13/6YiBEawVOHSK2-3092291-image-a-38_1432299129212.jpg Inspection: A worker checks the roof on an electric Tuk-Tuk being prepared for export at the Denver eTuk factory in northeast Denver http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/05/22/14/28FAB7FF00000578-3092291-image-a-1_1432301035413.jpg Familiar sight: Tuk-tuks are ubiquitous in Asia, swarming the bustling streets of Bangkok, New Delhi and Beijing. A tuk-tuk is seen here in India http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/05/22/19/video-undefined-28FD755B00000578-499_636x356.jpg Are Tuk-tuk's the future? Tuk Tuk Factory shows off their fleet http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/05/22/13/6YiBNxkng-HSK1-3092291-image-a-39_1432299135539.jpg Carpool: Colin Sommers, left, director of engineering of eTuk USA, joins Walid Mourtada, center, chief executive officer, and Michael Fox, in one of the electric Tuk-Tuk models that the trio import and sell domestically http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/05/22/13/6YiBF7igKHSK2-3092291-image-a-40_1432299140198.jpg Technology: The nameplate designates the electrically-powered version of the Tuk-Tuk being readied for delivery at the Denver eTuk manufacturing plant http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/05/22/14/28FAB80800000578-3092291-image-a-2_1432301091752.jpg Packed: A tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka is seen stuffed with bananas and boxes video flash ] -Tuk-tuk taxis are ubiquitous in Asia, swarming the bustling streets of Bangkok, New Delhi and Beijing -The Tuk Tuk Factory has signed a licensing agreement with Denver-based eTuk USA to allow the company to manufacture and sell an electric version -The company's founders hope the eco-friendly vehicles will become the next hip mode of transportation across the country -Company eTuk Denver has launched a call-and-demand shuttle service in downtown Denver after receiving approval from the city -They operate mostly in a restricted downtown area — and are banned from providing service to the nearby Broncos' football stadium -The tuk-tuk has faced some pushback from a handful of cab companies and other shuttle operators and raised concerns about the vehicles' safety They're ubiquitous in Asia, swarming the bustling streets of Bangkok, New Delhi and Beijing. Now, a company that manufactures the tuk-tuk — the three-wheeled motorized rickshaws that have moved the masses for more than half a century — aims to make inroads in the United States. The Tuk Tuk Factory, based in Amsterdam, has signed a licensing agreement with Denver-based eTuk USA to allow the company to manufacture and sell an electric version of the vehicle. The company's founders hope the eco-friendly vehicles, a far cry from the loud, pollution-spewing versions common in Asia and South America, will become the next hip mode of transportation for urban dwellers and tourists across the country. It's too soon to know if Americans will embrace tuk-tuks, but Michael Fox, director of sales and marketing for eTuk USA, says the company has been selling the vehicles across the country to individuals, marketing companies and food vendors for between $16,950 and $25,000, depending on how they are customized. The three partners' other company, eTuk Denver, launched a call-and-demand shuttle service in downtown Denver after receiving approval from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, which regulates for-hire transportation services. The service is the latest entrant into an increasingly crowded field of transportation options that includes pedicabs, car-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft and golf-cart taxis. Fox is banking that the tuk-tuk's open-air design will help it stand out. 'When you look at a golf cart and you look at a tuk-tuk, which has more curb appeal?' he asked. But like car-sharing services, the tuk-tuk has faced some pushback from a handful of cab companies and other shuttle operators — and raised concerns about the vehicles' safety. Terry Bote, a commission spokesman, said several cab and shuttle companies were successful in restricting where the tuk-tuks can operate, what types and how many vehicles can be used and how many passengers each vehicle can carry. The tuk-tuks operate mostly in a restricted downtown area — and are banned from providing scheduled service to the nearby Broncos' football stadium, a lucrative destination for the competition. But even with the restrictions, Fox said his service can complement Denver's bus and light rail systems. He noted the 'last-mile concept,' a term that has been used by urban planners to describe the difficulty of getting people from places like a railway station or a bus depot to their final destination. The concept originally applied to suburban areas, but also is relevant when studying how people complete their trips in downtown areas, said Carolyn McAndrews, an assistant professor of design and planning at the University of Colorado-Denver. 'Everybody has the last-mile problem, and they solve that problem by walking or we drive our cars,' she said. But McAndrews also said the market is ripe for new modes of transportation like tuk-tuks to close that gap. She points to a 2012 study in New Jersey that says 'last-mile' shuttles are playing an increasingly important role in connecting people and jobs to rail transit, especially because of the decentralization of jobs and homes in most cities over the past few decades. 'To be competitive with cars, you have to make the point-to-point as convenient as possible,' she said. And it seems like Colorado's legislature agrees. Because the tuk-tuks are classified as motorcycles by the U.S. Department of Transportation, drivers would have had to wear eye protection and get a motorcycle endorsement for the license. Anyone under 18 also would have had to wear a helmet. But state Rep. Paul Rosenthal said such requirements for vehicles that travel short distances at low speeds don't make sense, especially for a shuttle service. 'Say you have four kids. They would have to go find a helmet or have them on hand to do that,' he said. 'It becomes cumbersome.' On May 4, the legislature passed Rosenthal's bill to strip those requirements for 3-wheeled motorcycles with a windshield, seatbelts and a top speed of 25 mph. Each shuttle model also has undergone a standard commercial vehicle inspection to make sure it complies with federal safety standards Still, most states heavily regulate three-wheeled vehicles because of what some say is the potential for serious accidents. Sherry Williams, who chairs a committee of independent researchers on motorcycle safety, said helmets should be required and passengers need to be aware of the possible danger in the event of an accident, even at slow speeds. 'Most motorcycle accidents occur under 30 mph, and many of them are fatal. This is a serious issue, she said. [© dailymail.co.uk] http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/843449a0d7e243f083249eecaf5ab0d6/US--Travel-Tuk-Tuks-in-America Tuk Tuk Factory - maker of auto rickshaws popular in Asia - aims to make inroads in USBy THOMAS PEIPERT Associated Press May 22, 2015 DENVER — They're ubiquitous in Asia, swarming the bustling streets of Bangkok, New Delhi and Beijing. Now, a company that manufactures the tuk-tuk — the three-wheeled motorized rickshaws that have moved the masses for more than half a century — aims to make inroads in the United States. The Tuk Tuk Factory, based in Amsterdam, has signed a licensing agreement with Denver-based eTuk USA to allow the company to manufacture and sell an electric version of the vehicle. The company's founders hope the eco-friendly vehicles, a far cry from the loud, pollution-spewing versions common in Asia and South America, will become the next hip mode of transportation for urban dwellers and tourists across the country. It's too soon to know if Americans will embrace tuk-tuks, but Michael Fox, director of sales and marketing for eTuk USA, says the company has been selling the vehicles across the country to individuals, marketing companies and food vendors for between $16,950 and $25,000, depending on how they are customized. The three partners' other company, eTuk Denver, launched a call-and-demand shuttle service in downtown Denver after receiving approval from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, which regulates for-hire transportation services. The service is the latest entrant into an increasingly crowded field of transportation options that includes pedicabs, car-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft and golf-cart taxis. Fox is banking that the tuk-tuk's open-air design will help it stand out. "When you look at a golf cart and you look at a tuk-tuk, which has more curb appeal?" he asked. But like car-sharing services, the tuk-tuk has faced some pushback from a handful of cab companies and other shuttle operators — and raised concerns about the vehicles' safety. Terry Bote, a commission spokesman, said several cab and shuttle companies were successful in restricting where the tuk-tuks can operate, what types and how many vehicles can be used and how many passengers each vehicle can carry. The tuk-tuks operate mostly in a restricted downtown area — and are banned from providing scheduled service to the nearby Broncos' football stadium, a lucrative destination for the competition. But even with the restrictions, Fox said his service can complement Denver's bus and light rail systems. He noted the "last-mile concept," a term that has been used by urban planners to describe the difficulty of getting people from places like a railway station or a bus depot to their final destination. The concept originally applied to suburban areas, but also is relevant when studying how people complete their trips in downtown areas, said Carolyn McAndrews, an assistant professor of design and planning at the University of Colorado-Denver. "Everybody has the last-mile problem, and they solve that problem by walking or we drive our cars," she said. But McAndrews also said the market is ripe for new modes of transportation like tuk-tuks to close that gap. She points to a 2012 study in New Jersey that says "last-mile" shuttles are playing an increasingly important role in connecting people and jobs to rail transit, especially because of the decentralization of jobs and homes in most cities over the past few decades. "To be competitive with cars, you have to make the point-to-point as convenient as possible," she said. And it seems like Colorado's legislature agrees. Because the tuk-tuks are classified as motorcycles by the U.S. Department of Transportation, drivers would have had to wear eye protection and get a motorcycle endorsement for the license. Anyone under 18 also would have had to wear a helmet. But state Rep. Paul Rosenthal said such requirements for vehicles that travel short distances at low speeds don't make sense, especially for a shuttle service. "Say you have four kids. They would have to go find a helmet or have them on hand to do that," he said. "It becomes cumbersome." On May 4, the legislature passed Rosenthal's bill to strip those requirements for 3-wheeled motorcycles with a windshield, seatbelts and a top speed of 25 mph. Each shuttle model also has undergone a standard commercial vehicle inspection to make sure it complies with federal safety standards Still, most states heavily regulate three-wheeled vehicles because of what some say is the potential for serious accidents. Sherry Williams, who chairs a committee of independent researchers on motorcycle safety, said helmets should be required and passengers need to be aware of the possible danger in the event of an accident, even at slow speeds. "Most motorcycle accidents occur under 30 mph, and many of them are fatal. This is a serious issue," she said. [© greenfieldreporter.com] ... http://www.thestate.com/news/business/article21734709.html Tuk-tuk to ride? Asian rickshaws try to make inroads in US May 22, 2015 Associated Press [images http://www.thestate.com/news/business/etogh4/picture21734706/ALTERNATES/FREE_768/Tuk%20Tuks%20in%20America_Rao Early this year a worker, checks the roof on an eco-friendly, electric tuk-tuk being prepared for export at the Denver eTuk factory. | David Zalubowski - AP ] They’re everywhere in Asia, swarming the bustling streets of Bangkok, New Delhi and Beijing. Now, a company that manufactures the tuk-tuk – the three-wheeled motorized rickshaws that have moved the masses for more than half a century – aims to make inroads in the United States. The Tuk Tuk Factory, based in Amsterdam, has signed a licensing agreement with Denver-based eTuk USA to allow the company to manufacture and sell an electric version of the vehicle. The company’s founders hope their eco-friendly version of the vehicles, a far cry from the loud, pollution-spewing versions common in Asia and South America, will become the next hip mode of transportation for urban dwellers and tourists across the country. It’s too soon to know if Americans will embrace tuk-tuks, but Michael Fox, director of sales and marketing for eTuk USA, says the company has been selling the vehicles across the country to individuals, marketing companies and food vendors for $16,950 to $25,000, depending on how they are customized. The three partners’ other company, eTuk Denver, launched a call-and-demand shuttle service in downtown Denver after receiving approval from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, which regulates for-hire transportation services. The service is the latest entrant into an increasingly crowded field of transportation options that includes pedicabs, car-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft and golf-cart taxis. Fox figures the tuk-tuk’s open-air design will help it stand out. But like car-sharing services, the tuk-tuk has faced some pushback from a handful of cab companies and other shuttle operators – and raised concerns about the vehicles’ safety. Terry Bote, a commission spokesman, said several cab and shuttle companies were successful in restricting where the tuk-tuks can operate, what types and how many vehicles can be used and how many passengers each vehicle can carry. The tuk-tuks operate mostly in a restricted downtown area – and are banned from providing scheduled service to the nearby Broncos football stadium, a lucrative destination for the competition. [© thestate.com] ... http://www.seattletimes.com/business/tuk-tuk-aims-to-make-inroads-in-us/ Tuk-tuk aims to make inroads in U.S. May 22, 2015 ... http://www.autoblog.com/2015/05/22/tuk-tuk-taxi-maker-aims-to-make-inroads-in-us/ Electric Tuk-tuk taxi maker trying to find inroads in US May 22nd 2015 https://www.djc.com/news/en/12077988.html eTuk USA: America is ready for 'rickshaws' May 26, 2015 By THOMAS PEIPERT Associated Press [image https://www.djc.com/stories/images/20150526/eTuck_web.jpg ] The company says its eco-friendly vehicles will be the next hip mode of transportation for urban dwellers and tourists making a short trip. DENVER — They're ubiquitous in Asia, swarming the bustling streets of Bangkok, New Delhi and Beijing. Now, a company that manufactures the tuk-tuk — the three-wheeled motorized rickshaws that have moved the masses for more than half a century — aims to make inroads in the United States. The Tuk Tuk Factory, based in Amsterdam, has signed a licensing agreement with Denver-based eTuk USA to allow the company to manufacture and sell an electric version of the vehicle. The company's founders hope the eco-friendly vehicles, a far cry from the loud, pollution-spewing versions common in Asia and South America, will become the next hip mode of transportation for urban dwellers and tourists across the country. It's too soon to know if Americans will embrace tuk-tuks, but Michael Fox, director of sales and marketing for eTuk USA, says the company has been selling the vehicles across the country to individuals, marketing companies and food vendors for between $16,950 and $25,000, depending on how they are customized. The three partners' other company, eTuk Denver, launched a call-and-demand shuttle service in downtown Denver after receiving approval from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, which regulates for-hire transportation services. The service is the latest entrant into an increasingly crowded field of transportation options that includes pedicabs, car-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft and golf-cart taxis. Fox is banking that the tuk-tuk's open-air design will help it stand out. “When you look at a golf cart and you look at a tuk-tuk, which has more curb appeal?” he asked. But like car-sharing services, the tuk-tuk has faced some pushback from a handful of cab companies and other shuttle operators — and raised concerns about the vehicles' safety. Terry Bote, a commission spokesman, said several cab and shuttle companies were successful in restricting where the tuk-tuks can operate, what types and how many vehicles can be used and how many passengers each vehicle can carry. The tuk-tuks operate mostly in a restricted downtown area — and are banned from providing scheduled service to the nearby Broncos' football stadium, a lucrative destination for the competition. But even with the restrictions, Fox said his service can complement Denver's bus and light rail systems. He noted the “last-mile concept,” a term that has been used by urban planners to describe the difficulty of getting people from places like a railway station or a bus depot to their final destination. The concept originally applied to suburban areas, but also is relevant when studying how people complete their trips in downtown areas, said Carolyn McAndrews, an assistant professor of design and planning at the University of Colorado-Denver. “Everybody has the last-mile problem, and they solve that problem by walking or we drive our cars,” she said. But McAndrews also said the market is ripe for new modes of transportation like tuk-tuks to close that gap. She points to a 2012 study in New Jersey that says “last-mile” shuttles are playing an increasingly important role in connecting people and jobs to rail transit, especially because of the decentralization of jobs and homes in most cities over the past few decades. “To be competitive with cars, you have to make the point-to-point as convenient as possible,” she said. And it seems like Colorado's Legislature agrees. Because the tuk-tuks are classified as motorcycles by the U.S. Department of Transportation, drivers would have had to wear eye protection and get a motorcycle endorsement for the license. Anyone under 18 also would have had to wear a helmet. But state Rep. Paul Rosenthal said such requirements for vehicles that travel short distances at low speeds don't make sense, especially for a shuttle service. “Say you have four kids. They would have to go find a helmet or have them on hand to do that,” he said. “It becomes cumbersome.” On May 4, the Legislature passed Rosenthal's bill to strip those requirements for 3-wheeled motorcycles with a windshield, seatbelts and a top speed of 25 mph. Each shuttle model also has undergone a standard commercial vehicle inspection to make sure it complies with federal safety standards Still, most states heavily regulate three-wheeled vehicles because of what some say is the potential for serious accidents. Sherry Williams, who chairs a committee of independent researchers on motorcycle safety, said helmets should be required and passengers need to be aware of the possible danger in the event of an accident, even at slow speeds. “Most motorcycle accidents occur under 30 mph, and many of them are fatal. This is a serious issue,” she said. 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