Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to overhaul Central Park’s carriage horse industry faced significant criticism at a City Council hearing. The proposal aims to remove horse carriages from Manhattan streets and reduce their numbers, providing a new stable in Central Park funded by the city. However, the administration struggled to answer key questions regarding costs, job losses, and specifics of the stable’s location and construction timeline. Pedicab drivers, particularly affected by a ban from the park’s tourist-heavy southern section, expressed outrage, feeling unfairly targeted to protect the carriage industry. Council members were disappointed by the lack of clarity and detailed planning, questioning the urgency and feasibility of the proposal. The plan, supported by the animal advocacy organization NYClass for its potential to alleviate animal cruelty, was criticized by other animal welfare groups as insufficient. Pedicab driver Ibrahim Donmez highlighted the disproportionate impact on pedicab drivers, many of whom are immigrants, questioning the value placed on their jobs compared to carriage drivers. No vote on the proposal has been scheduled.
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https://abc7ny.com/central-park-horse-carriage-pedicab-city-hall/1170050/