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View Winners → Pasadena Mayor Gets Taken for a Ride in a ‘Tuk Tuk’
Pasadena Independent Oct 27, 2015
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Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek awaits his ride in Pasadena’s first “tuk tuk,” a zero-emissions vehicle commissioned by a local hotel to ferry guests around the city. – Photo by Terry Miller
By Terry Miller
Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek, City Councilman Andy Wilson, Singpoli CEO Kin Hui and hotel constance General Manager Phil Anderson were on hand Thursday for the official unveiling of the dusitD2 hotel constance’s “tuk tu”’ — an electric motorcycle-like conveyance designed to shuttle guests to key locations in and around Pasadena … all with zero emissions.
The officials also got a first-hand feel for what the tuk tuk drives like in a brief tour of old town. The media also got a chance to experience the very quiet and fairly swift horseless carriage that will no doubt catch the eye of other business owners in town who want to have zero emissions and provide local transport for their guests and clients.
Popular in Thailand, “tuk tuks” are a common mode of transportation in cities large and small. This model, all electric and capable of holding six passengers, is environmental friendly and road worthy. The driver of the tuk tuk must pass a motorcycle driving license test to operate one.
Mayor Tornek getting comfortable in the tuk tuk. – Photo by Terry Miller
“We’re excited that we can offer this service to our guests,” said Phil Anderson, general manager for the dusitD2 hotel constance pasadena. “We can now shuttle our visitors to several Pasadena landmarks including Old Pasadena, The Huntington Library and Caltech.”
A fellow photographer, James Carbone, and I, along with a member of local website, had a first class tour of tuk tuk with Pegasus Communications CEO Frank Giradot.
The vehicle, painted bright orange, in line with the dusitD2 corporate logo, was assembled by eTuk USA in Denver, Colorado.
Michael Fox, director of sales and marketing for eTuk, said the vehicle is the first of its kind in California.
The electronic tuk tuk is a zero-emissions vehicle, and the first of its kind in California. – Photo by Terry Miller
