Over the last few weeks, visitors and residents on Siesta Key may have noticed an unusual-looking, yellow and white vehicle ferrying people around and thought, "What is that?"

The oblong, all-electric vehicle, that appears to be smiling when viewed from the front, is the cornerstone of Jonny's Free Beach Rides. The business venture, conceived six months ago, was started by serial entrepreneur Jonathan Freed and his business partner Brenda Anderton, after having seen these vehicles operating in beach communities in California and, most recently, in Miami.

"We saw other communities operating these vehicles and thought that Siesta Key would be an ideal area for this service," said Freed. "Since we started the business almost 7 weeks ago, the response in the community has been tremendous."

If you can believe it, as the name states, the beach rides are completely free. The drivers work off of tips and the six passenger, all-electric vehicle has advertisements from local restaurants and businesses inside.

The vehicle is manufactured by GEM (Global Electric Motorcars) and seats up to six passengers total (driver included). The vehicle is street-legal and can go up to a maximum speed of 25 mph and can travel 40 miles on a single charge. 

Typical users of the free service are tourists and residents alike. "I'd say our ridership is a good mix of tourists and residents here on Siesta Key," states Freed. "With the parking in Siesta Key Village at a premium, many of our riders really appreciate the convenience that Jonny's Free Beach Rides provides and we have a lot of repeat customers."

Freed definitely sees plans for expansion and said that a second GEM vehicle most likely will be added in the next few months and could see franchising this idea to other communities in the future. 

Jonny's Free Beach Rides service route extends from Turtle Beach, on the south end of Siesta Key, to the Siesta Key Village, located on the north end. Operating hours are from 10am – 2am daily and the phone number is 941-306-9097.