Take a fun ride for next to nothing

MOBILE, Ala. - Traveling, parking and commuting in downtown just got a little bit easier. A new business will get you door to door with little hassle and little cost.

June Reddix-Stennis and her husband decided to start Boom Buggy Service on Dauphin Street.

"Just decided to go ahead and take a chance and do it. We thought it would be a good idea and great for the city and so far everyone else thinks it too," she said.

There will be six buggies assembled and ready to hit the streets. The buggy can hold up to two adults or three children. The driver takes you wherever you need to go downtown. The ride seems to be a fun time for the entire family.

"This is like a modernized rickshaw. There are only a few manufacturers of them in the United States. I got these from Europe," Reddix-Stennis said.

The owners wanted to bring the international idea to Mobile and help create jobs and stimulate downtown businesses.

"We're going to need some employees, they're going to work four hour shifts. The cities close to us, they average about $18-$20 an hour pedaling," Reddix-Stennis added.

If you're looking to get hired, don't let the pedaling scare you, the owners made driving easy.

"It has an electric assist that helps you pedal, so you're not really pedaling that hard. Basically we charge them up and actually we're going to have solar panels coming in, too. They'll be charged by the sun and be totally green," Reddix-Stennis said.

The best part is the price. The buggy rides are free of charge, all you do is tip the driver. The business will raise cash by selling ads on the sides of the buggies.

"I think it's a good draw for people that usually don't come downtown. They can ride and look at the historic landmarks and visit some of our great restaurants and stuff," Reddix-Stennis said.

The boom buggy service will start this weekend. The company is in the process of launching a website where you can make reservations.