Self-propelled tour guide James Willett has apparently had a tough time shepherding potential fares into his pedicab during the ongoing government shutdown.

Thankfully, folks still gotta eat.

According to a Carmine’s spokeswoman, the self-employed tourist wrangler has seen his business “catastrophically depleted” because of all the administration-mandated closures around town — particularly the suddenly inhospitable National Mall and historic monuments.

“He basically has to warn everybody, ‘I can go ahead and ride you by, but you can’t stop,’” the Carmine’s rep said of Willett’s politically inspired predicament.

When Jeff Bank heard about Willett’s dilemma last week on 94.7 Fresh FM (Willett’s mom was sharing his tale of woe with morning drive personality Tommy McFly), the Carmine’s CEO hired him on the spot, offering Willett the opportunity to pad his income by peddling around mountainous pasta dishes to carb-loving customers.

Willett jumped at the opportunity, tacking up the following thank you message on the rear of his ride for all to see: “Thanks Carmine’s for hiring me!! No longer a victim of the FURLOUGH ripple effect!!!!”