Scott Aves didn’t know that a handful of New Jersey counties – including Essex, Sussex and Gloucester – got their names from the United Kingdom.
Or that there are numerous towns in New Jersey connected to the UK, including Evesham, Manchester, Southampton and Weymouth.
We didn’t even ask about the connection to the Isle of Jersey — we were pretty confident what that answer would have been.
“I didn’t know much about New Jersey before I took this job,” he said. “I’m learning now.”
This “job” is to be the driver of a Choose New Jersey-wrapped taxi that travels around London.
Aves, who has been a taxi driver for nearly 20 years, took on the car as his latest part-time gig a few months ago. It’s been unlike any other cab he has driven.
“I have people coming up to me just to take pictures of themselves with the car — they don’t even need a ride,” he said.
Aves, who always has an advertiser on the cars he drives, said he has never seen so much interest. That interest also carries over to a car sponsored by the department of state tourism. Together, the Jersey names clearly is making its mark around town.
The promotional idea will last a few more months. After that, Aves will look for another car to drive. Then again, he may decide to take a quick holiday.
“I’ve never been to the states before,” he said. “New Jersey sounds like a place I need to visit.”
