There’s Now a More Convenient (and Chic) Way to Get to the Hamptons

By his count, Hamptons-raised New York City resident Jack Brinkley-Cook has made the trip out east “more times than you can imagine.” Naturally, he has a lot of thoughts about the journey. Like, why are there low cost transportation options (the LIRR, Jitney) and high end transportation options (private car services, Blade) but nothing in the middle? Why are there so many South Fork stops? And, why on earth are most departure spots located in the epicentral hell of Midtown?

This summer, he's doing something about it. Next week, Cook and his friend Jake Sosne launch Rove—a new, competitively priced ride share option that offers direct rides from Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn to the Hamptons town of your choice.

Here’s how it works: users can book a seat on a "Rove," aka a Mercedes Benz Sprinter van, through an intuitive, online platform. The Rove departs from either the Sixty SoHo Hotel or The William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg—and encourages riders to hang out at the hotspot beforehand. Then, it will drop you off in the heart of East Hampton, Southampton, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, Amagansett, or Montauk (The Surf Lodge is a partner.) The cost? 65 dollars each way to most Hamptons towns, and 75 dollars to Montauk.

Cook also wanted the car time to be an improved experience. “The Hamptons is a place that, for so many, you go to have fun and to get away from the city,” he says. “I wanted traveling out there to be also enjoyable. I didn’t want it to be something that people dread.”

Every passenger gets a goodie bag full of essentials: things like Jaden Smith’s Just Water, RX Bars, skincare products, CBD gummies, and recovery juice (the perfect cure for Sunday Scaries). For June and July, the bags are designed by Cynthia Rowley. Later this summer, they are partnering with Urban Zen.

Still, Cook recommends no one travel between 3 and 6 pm on a Friday—wise advice from an entrepreneurial Hamptons road warrior.

Originally Appeared on Vogue