The Tuk-Tuks run like a bus service, picking up passengers at designated stops along a route from Brighton Marina to Hove and Brighton Station.  The two seater vehicles will operate all year round from 8am - 2am, with a reduced service from November to March, and charge a flat fare of £2.50 for any single journey.

Tuctuc Ltd, which has been awarded the first known operators licence outside Asia, has spent £5,500 per vehicle importing them from Bombay, installing safety features such as seat belts and side impact protection, converting them to run on natural gas and giving each Tuk-Tuk an individual paint theme.

Executive Director Dominic Ponniah believes that if the Tuk-Tuks are popular routes could be introduced all over Brighton and Hove and in cities across the Britain, including London.

He said: "We thought Brighton would be the ideal testing ground.  We wanted somewhere similar to the capital in terms of style and outlook.  There is no other place like it in the South outside London.  It's really busy and vibrant, with its share of visitors and young people who are quite fun."

Tuk-Tuks have been hailed by civic leaders as a possible solution to the city's chronic congestion problems, licensed as a bus service they can travel in restricted bus, taxi & cycle lanes, and a money-spinning tourist attraction.

The arrival of Tuk-Tuks in Brighton & Hove has not been without controversy.  Taxi drivers are unhappy about competition they believe will not have to operate under the same guidelines and the city's Taxi Trade Forum is hiring lawyers to challenge the licence granted to Tuctuc Ltd.

It is too early to measure any possible impact on the city's congestion, but it is clear that the novel, fun vehicles will add to the city's tourism package and will help to put Brighton & Hove on the map as a city willing to embrace new and innovative ideas.