Hamptons Free Ride a Hit in Amagansett

is off to a great start in its newly-invaded third hamlet. 

The free eco-friendly shuttle launched in Amagansett earlier this month — during one of the busiest weekends of the summer there. 

"With both the and the going on, there were plenty of people who needed rides," said Alex Esposito, a Springs man who started the shuttle service with childhood friend James Mirras last summer in East Hampton Village and then at the start of this summer.  

The shuttle in Amagansett is running to and from town and Atlantic Avenue and Indian Wells beaches. Esposito said the shuttle is also making frequent trips down Hand Lane and Meeting House Lane. 

"There are a lot of people walking between town and the beach, and a lot of people walking from their houses to the beach.  I also noticed a lot of cars in many of the driveways in the lanes," he said. "I assume people that don't have permits are parking at their friends houses and hoofing it to the beach."

The shuttle owners have quickly noticed a different in Amagansett's clientel over the other hamlets. "Unlike, East Hampton people are more likely to walk, then wait at one of the stops, making the ride a huge relief when we pick them up. "

The electric Chrysler GEM cars run nine hours a day (roughly 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), 7 days a week. The service is free and makes money from its advertisers. Cars are wrapped in the companies' logos. In Amagansett, the cars are sponsored by and Heineken. 

Margaret Sherman, the general manager of , is delighted to see Hamptons Free Ride come to Amagansett. "Their pickup/drop off location is often directly out our front doors, so it seems likely that after a long day at the beach, some riders head in for dinner or a drink," she said.

"I like the idea, think it is very clever and hope they do well," said Mary Schoenlein, the owner of Mary's Marvelous.