Category: News

Over 100 pedicab drivers convened outside City Hall Park to protest a deal proposed by the mayor that would confine carriage horse operations to Central Park while barring pedicabs from operating below 85th Street. Pedicab drivers argue this change would significantly harm their business, as their primary customer base consists of tourists they pick up from Central Park South for tours around key park attractions, routes that typically do not extend past 79th Street. They claim the legislation would effectively grant carriage horse rides a monopoly on the lucrative southern end of the park, leaving pedicabs out of a key area for their operations.

Pedicab drivers, including many immigrants supporting families abroad, are worried about the impact on their livelihood. The mayor’s plan also includes reducing the number of carriage horses and constructing a $20 million stable in the park, which has raised concerns among park advocates about the use of taxpayer money. Despite the mayor defending the pedicab restrictions as a fair adjustment, pedicab drivers and their representatives see it as an unjust concession to carriage drivers.

The pedicab community, which is not unionized and consists of independent contractors, views the proposed changes as a direct threat to their way of life and an arbitrary government-enforced monopoly benefiting a small number of carriage owners. With the City Council yet to vote on the legislation, and the possibility of changes before a vote, pedicab drivers are preparing to fight the proposal, including pooling resources for lobbyists and legal action, signaling a contentious battle ahead over the future use of Central Park.

For more information:

https://gothamist.com/news/pedicab-drivers-are-furious-over-de-blasios-carriage-horse-deal

The conflict centers around a new proposal that has upset the city’s pedicab drivers, who are protesting a plan to ban their operations from certain areas of Central Park, specifically south of 85th Street. This proposal is part of a larger agreement aimed at overhauling the traditional carriage horse rides in the park, a plan approved last week by Mayor Bill de Blasio and other city officials. Pedicab drivers, taken by surprise by this development, have expressed their frustration and rallied at City Hall. They argue that this restriction unfairly targets their livelihood and benefits the carriage horse industry by effectively granting it a monopoly over the southern end of the park, where major tourist attractions are located.

Mayor de Blasio’s broader initiative seeks to reduce the number of carriage horses in Central Park and includes moving the horses to a renovated stable within the park, funded by public money. The plan also entails limiting the hours carriages can operate and allowing an additional charge for rides during certain peak times. While the plan aims to address animal welfare concerns and regulate the carriage industry, it has drawn criticism from various quarters. Park advocates oppose the use of public funds for what they see as a private enterprise, and pedicab drivers are aggrieved by the impact on their business.

The ongoing debate over the presence of horses in Central Park involves the administration, the carriage industry, and animal rights activists, with the latter pushing for a complete ban on carriage rides. The Mayor had previously advocated for replacing the horse-drawn carriages with electric vintage-style cars to cater to tourists while addressing animal welfare concerns. The proposal’s fate now lies with the City Council, which may conduct hearings on the matter soon.

For more information:

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-horse-carriage-ban-pedicab/

New York City officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and the Teamsters union, have announced a compromise to preserve the horse-drawn carriage industry by relocating the stables to Central Park, avoiding a complete ban. This decision will reduce the number of licensed horses from about 180 to 95 by October 1, 2018, and confine carriage operations within the park, a move aimed at addressing animal rights concerns over the conditions of horses in Manhattan’s busy streets. The agreement also introduces operational limits for carriages, including a 9-hour working day and additional charges for rides during specific periods, while banning pedicabs from operating south of the 85th Street Transverse starting June 1.

The compromise has drawn criticism from animal welfare advocates who demand a total ban on carriage horses, questioning the appropriateness of using public land for private stables. Despite these controversies, the plan seeks to eliminate the risk posed to horses by daily traffic commutes and is subject to City Council approval. The outcome hinges on addressing logistical challenges and potentially compensating affected carriage drivers, underscoring the complexity of balancing animal welfare, historical traditions, and the interests of various stakeholders in New York City.

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NYC deal reached to keep some horse-drawn carriages

Mayor Bill de Blasio has reached a compromise with horse-carriage drivers and the Teamsters union, significantly restricting their operations to Central Park and reducing their numbers from about 180 to 110 by December, with a further reduction to 75 once new stables are constructed in the park by 2018. This agreement, pending City Council approval, aims to address long-standing animal welfare concerns by confining horse-carriage operations to the park and reducing the number of licensed horses. Additionally, to lessen competition, pedicabs will be prohibited from operating in Central Park south of the 85th Street Transverse, a decision that could significantly impact their business.

The deal marks a shift from de Blasio’s initial campaign promise to completely ban carriage horses from the city, a stance that had garnered significant attention and support from animal-rights groups. While the agreement has been met with some disappointment from activists, who argue that it doesn’t fully address the inhumane conditions faced by carriage horses, it represents a compromise aimed at preserving a part of New York’s heritage while attempting to improve the conditions for the horses involved. The final details of the legislation are yet to be worked out, with key stakeholders and advocacy groups keenly awaiting the outcome.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2016/01/18/de-blasio-strikes-deal-to-cut-number-of-horse-carriage-drivers/

The de Blasio administration in New York City announced a deal to significantly reduce the Central Park horse carriage industry, aiming to confine carriage horses to a new stable within the park. This agreement would decrease the number of horses from approximately 220 to 95 by 2018. Mayor Bill de Blasio, fulfilling a campaign promise to his animal-rights activist supporters, initiated this move, which has been a contentious issue since his election in 2013.

The plan requires constructing a stable by October 1, 2018, that can accommodate 75 horses at a time, with an additional 20 horses rotating out to rest. This proposal, still needing City Council approval, has been described as “an agreement in concept” and could be reviewed in a hearing soon.

Animal-rights activists, who have been critical supporters of de Blasio and instrumental in his mayoral campaign against Christine C. Quinn by spending around $1 million, have long targeted the horse carriage industry. Despite their support, the mayor’s efforts to completely eliminate the industry faced widespread opposition from New Yorkers, including some of his supporters who wished he would drop the campaign.

The specifics of the financing for the new stable, which would be the first of its kind in Central Park for commercial carriage horses, were not disclosed. However, an area near the park’s 86th Street Transverse is considered the most likely site for the stable. Additionally, the deal includes a provision to ban pedicabs from operating below 85th Street in Central Park, thereby removing competition for the carriage trade. This aspect of the deal has sparked protests from the pedicab community, who view it as an unfair restriction on their business.

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New York City is nearing an agreement to relocate horse carriage stables to Central Park, a move that would significantly reduce the number of horses operating within the park from 220 to 75 by October 2018. This proposed legislation, which could be reviewed as early as Friday, also aims to restrict pedicabs from operating south of 85th Street within the park, addressing conflicts between pedicab and horse carriage operators over passenger rides. Additionally, the bill would allow carriage drivers to implement a $5 night surcharge for rides after 6 p.m. and on certain holidays. This development follows extensive discussions between Mayor Bill de Blasio’s aides and the Teamsters union, amidst de Blasio’s initial but unfulfilled promise to ban horse carriages from his first day in office, which met substantial resistance from the City Council and public support for the industry.

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NYC close to deal with horse carriage industry to permanently move horse stables to Central Park

Under a compromise brokered by Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City’s horse-drawn carriages will be confined to Central Park, significantly altering the landscape of the city’s iconic tourist attraction. This agreement, reached with the union representing carriage drivers, aims to halve the number of licensed horses from about 180 to 95 and relocate them to stables within Central Park by October 1, 2018. The move addresses animal-rights concerns by removing the horses from city streets, thereby fulfilling a campaign promise de Blasio made over two years ago, despite the political controversies it stirred.

The deal, described as “an agreement in concept,” not only aims to end a longstanding debate over the presence of carriage horses in the city but also introduces a contentious measure to ban pedicabs south of 85th Street in Central Park. This part of the agreement has sparked outcry from pedicab operators who argue that the restriction will severely impact their business, primarily serving tourists in the park’s more frequented southern end. Some, like pedicab driver Richard Costella, see the move as unfairly favoring the carriage industry at their expense, with legal action being considered in response.

For more information:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/deal-would-restrict-new-york-city-carriage-horses-to-central-park-1453093043

Mayor Bill de Blasio, alongside the City Council and horse carriage industry representatives, has reached a compromise to maintain the horse carriage operations within Central Park, New York City. This new arrangement will decrease the number of carriage horses from 180 to 110 by December and further to 95 upon the inauguration of new stables within the park by 2018. The deal restricts horses from traveling on streets outside of Central Park, except for direct routes to their existing stables starting in June, aiming to address animal welfare concerns and regulate the industry more tightly.

The agreement includes several key provisions: the construction of a stable inside Central Park financed by the city, a reduction in working hours for horses to nine hours per day, and the ability for drivers to impose a $5 surcharge for rides during specific evening hours and holidays. Additionally, to reduce competition for carriage horses, pedicabs will be banned from operating south of 85th Street in Central Park.

Despite initial vows to ban horse carriages on his first day in office, de Blasio faced significant opposition, leading to this compromise. The deal, still pending City Council approval, is described as an “agreement in concept” and could be subjected to legislative hearings as soon as this week. This development follows extensive negotiations between the mayor’s office, the Teamsters union representing carriage drivers, and amid public campaigns supporting the preservation of the horse carriage industry.

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Horse carriage industry, City Hall strike deal to keep carriage rides in NYC

Cornelius Byrne, a New York City stable owner with deep family ties to the horse carriage industry, is facing uncertainty as ongoing negotiations between Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration and City Council could significantly impact the future of horse-drawn carriages in the city. Despite public support, there’s a potential for the industry to be drastically reduced, with a proposal to relocate horses to a Central Park stable that only fits 70 out of the current 220. This has raised concerns about the welfare of the remaining horses and the livelihood of carriage drivers.

The situation is further complicated by discussions to restrict pedicabs to less popular areas of Central Park, potentially giving carriage drivers a monopoly on tourist tours. This move has been criticized by pedicab drivers and reflects the complex political dynamics surrounding de Blasio’s campaign promise to ban horse carriages, a promise that has become a contentious issue in his tenure as mayor. The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, with the future of many horses and the traditional carriage industry hanging in the balance.

For more information:

https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2016/01/13/carriage-horse-latest-

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s proposal to restrict carriage horses to Central Park and ban pedicabs from operating below 85th Street has faced significant opposition from city council members, the carriage horse and pedicab industries, and animal rights activists. During a nearly seven-hour hearing, council members criticized the plan for its lack of transparency and the negative impact it would have on both industries. Queens Councilmember Van Bramer expressed strong disapproval, highlighting the administration’s failure to defend the legislation effectively.

The deal, announced in conjunction with City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the Teamsters union, aims to reduce carriage horses from 180 to 95 by October 2018, coinciding with the opening of a new stable in Central Park. However, concerns were raised about the feasibility of completing the stable by the deadline, the lack of consultation with pedicab drivers, and the dissatisfaction among animal rights activists who prefer a total ban on carriage horses.

The Teamsters union, despite not being fully satisfied with the deal, views it as preferable to a complete ban on carriage horses. The reduction in horses and working hours is expected to result in a loss of 40 to 50 jobs, amounting to a 25% reduction in the industry. Pedicab drivers, who are not unionized, voiced strong opposition to the bill, arguing that the ban below 85th Street would severely limit their business opportunities and that they had not been consulted during the bill’s drafting process.

City council members showed sympathy for the pedicab drivers’ plight, with several expressing support for more lenient legislation towards pedicabs. The council’s response suggests a desire to include pedicab drivers in the conversation and find a more balanced solution that considers the interests of all parties involved.

For more information:

https://gothamist.com/news/de-blasios-carriage-horse-plan-struggles-to-whinny-over-angry-neighsayers