Category: News

A City Council hearing on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to overhaul Central Park’s carriage horse rides, which would limit horse carriages to the park and ban pedicabs from the park’s southern section, revealed significant opposition and many unanswered questions. The plan, aimed at removing horse carriages from city streets except in limited situations and creating a new stable in Central Park, faced scrutiny from council members, pedicab drivers, park advocates, and animal welfare activists. City officials struggled to provide details on the cost and location of the new stable and the impact on carriage and pedicab operators’ jobs. The hearing highlighted the ongoing debate over the future of horse carriages in New York City, an issue Mayor de Blasio has pursued since his 2013 campaign, despite resistance and lack of support from the Council. Skepticism from council members and lack of concrete information suggest the bill’s passage may be delayed. The proposal has attracted new opponents, including parks advocates concerned about the use of parkland and tax money for a private stable, and pedicab operators protesting their exclusion from prime operating areas. The hearing, filled with public testimonies and questions from council members, underscored the complexities and controversies surrounding the proposed overhaul.

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Mayor Bill de Blasio’s compromise plan to reform Central Park’s carriage horse industry faced significant scrutiny at a City Council hearing, with administration officials unable to answer key questions. The proposal aims to remove carriage horses from Manhattan streets, reduce their numbers, and establish a new stable within Central Park, funded by the city. However, this plan has sparked controversy among various stakeholders, including park advocates concerned about the cost and use of park space, and pedicab drivers who are upset about being banned from lucrative areas of the park to minimize competition with the carriages.

City Council members expressed disappointment with the lack of details provided by the administration, particularly regarding the cost of the new stable, its location, potential job losses for carriage and pedicab operators, and the urgency behind the proposal. The plan, supported by animal advocacy group NYClass for addressing inhumane treatment of horses, has also been criticized by other animal welfare groups and stakeholders for favoring the carriage industry.

One poignant voice of opposition came from Ibrahim Donmez, a pedicab driver from Turkey, who highlighted the inequity of the proposal by questioning why the jobs of carriage drivers were being prioritized over those of pedicab drivers, many of whom are immigrants. The administration’s failure to engage with pedicab drivers and the rushed nature of the proposal have left many council members hesitant to support it, casting doubt on the future of this controversial plan. A vote on the legislation has yet to be scheduled, leaving the fate of Central Park’s carriage horses and pedicab drivers uncertain.

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https://abc7ny.com/central-park-horse-carriage-pedicab-city-hall/1170050/

Animal rights activists, pedicab owners, and park preservationists gathered at City Hall to protest Mayor Bill de Blasio’s proposal regarding the horse carriage industry. Critics argue the compromise, which seeks to reduce the number of carriage horses and relocate them to Central Park with taxpayer-funded stables, was made without proper consultation and constitutes an abuse of power to fulfill a campaign promise. While some, like Council Member Daniel Dromm, view the plan as a humane improvement for the horses, others are concerned about the lack of detailed planning regarding the stables’ location within the park. The Parks Department’s inability to provide a definitive location for the stable has sparked further criticism, with some council members expressing concern over the potential impact on Central Park’s landscape. Despite these controversies, the City Council claims to have enough votes for the proposal’s passage.

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https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/de-blasio-nyc-horse-carriage-protests/

New York’s pedicab operators are protesting a deal they argue unfairly targets their business in favor of the horse carriage industry, a move they say was done without their input or knowledge. This deal, announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio, is part of an effort to overhaul the horse carriage industry, which the mayor has long criticized as inhumane. The proposal aims to reduce the number of horse carriages in Central Park and eventually eliminate their presence on Manhattan streets, consolidating them within the park with a new, publicly funded stable.

However, as part of the compromise, pedicabs would be banned from operating south of 85th Street in Central Park, a move that pedicab operators like Robert Tipton, owner of Mr. Rickshaw, see as a direct concession to the carriage horse industry. This area represents 60% of the pedicab business, effectively granting carriage horses a monopoly over the park’s southern, more tourist-heavy end. The decision has sparked significant backlash from the pedicab community, many of whom are immigrants, who feel blindsided and marginalized by the city’s decision.

De Blasio defended the decision as a necessary adjustment for balance, claiming it to be a fair outcome. Yet, the pedicab industry was not involved in the negotiations, which were between the city and the Teamsters union local representing carriage horse drivers. Animal welfare activists have also criticized the deal, pointing out that it does not address their concerns about the horses’ well-being between shifts.

The compromise would reduce the horse carriage numbers from about 180 to 95 and relocate them to new stables in the park by October 2018. Meanwhile, licensed pedicab drivers, numbering around 350, face significant income losses due to the restriction. They argue that operating outside of the lucrative Central Park area subjects them to less ideal conditions, including navigating midtown traffic without access to bicycle lanes, which detracts from the tourist experience they can offer.

This contentious agreement now awaits approval by the City Council, with pedicab drivers vowing to fight the restrictions they see as unjust and detrimental to their livelihoods.

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https://www.foxnews.com/us/deal-to-keep-horses-in-new-york-citys-central-park-would-banish-pedicabs

In the midst of the ongoing debate over horse carriages in New York City, a new deal has sparked protests from both horse carriage and pedicab drivers at City Hall. The agreement, which aims to resolve the contentious issue that Mayor de Blasio has wrestled with for two years, has drawn ire from various quarters. Horse carriage drivers are concerned about job losses, while park advocates are alarmed by the cost associated with building a new stable in Central Park—a project that some doubt will ever materialize. The plan is designed to keep horses away from the busy midtown streets, enhancing their welfare, according to the mayor.

Pedicab drivers are particularly aggrieved by a provision in the deal that would prohibit their operation in most of Central Park, specifically banning them from areas south of 85th Street. This restriction, they argue, would devastate their business, as it would prevent them from accessing the park’s more popular southern attractions. The outcry is so strong that pedicab drivers, who also have families to support, have marched around City Hall in protest and are considering legal action.

The mayor’s plan involves cutting the number of carriage horses from 220 to 95 and constructing a stable within Central Park to house them, with only 75 horses allowed to work in the park at any given time. This reduction in the number of horses and the proposed ban on pedicabs in parts of Central Park have sparked a broad backlash, including from lawyers who argue that the plan lacks practicality and fairness.

Mayor de Blasio maintains that horses do not belong on the streets of a bustling metropolis like New York, emphasizing the safety and welfare of the horses. However, with widespread dissatisfaction among those affected by the proposed changes, the deal now faces a critical vote at the City Council. Given the strong opposition, its approval is far from certain, indicating that the debate over the presence of horse carriages and pedicabs in Central Park is far from over.

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https://abc7ny.com/central-park-horse-carriage-pedicab-city-hall/1165540/

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.

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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.

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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.

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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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