Hamptons Free Ride Lets You Take a Selfie

As if offering free taxi service in the Hamptons wasn’t cool enough, Hamptons Free Ride has equipped its local fleet of cars with “selfie machines” for summer 2014. The iPad-based backseat photo booths will be in all 19 electric shuttles, enhancing the riding experience for their (nonpaying) customers.

“We try to differentiate ourselves from taxis,” East Hampton resident and co-founder of Hamptons Free Ride Alex Esposito said this week, explaining that cabs in New York City feature television screens in their backseats playing news and weather clips on repeat. He noted that the Free Ride iPads serve as more than just selfie machines, as they will also play video advertisements and have a directory of local shops.

Hamptons Free Ride wants to remain a free, fun experience for shoppers and beachgoers to enjoy, Esposito said, adding, “We are always thinking how we can make this service more enjoyable for customers and will continue to do so.”

The free taxi service gave no word about whether or not The Chainsmokers’ Billboard Hot 100 song, “#SELFIE” will be played on a loop throughout each ride.

Chainsmokers or not, kudos to Hamptons Free Ride for creating a free service that is exponentially more enjoyable than most paid services. Taxicabs from all over the country should be taking notes on this local business. Who wouldn’t rather have a selfie booth than a fingerprint smeared screen, showing news and weather highlights? Well played, Hamptons Free Ride… well played indeed.

Starting Saturday, May 24, Hamptons Free Ride runs 7 days a week from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. The free service offers shuttle routes in Amagansett, East Hampton, Montauk, and Southampton. Learn more by visiting thefreeride.com/hamptons.

We expect the selfies will begin appearing on Hamptons Free Ride’s Instagram account this summer at instagram.com/hamptnsfreeride or, simply, @hamptnsfreeride on Instagram.