Doran Gray, a 33-year-old pedicab driver, has worked in London, Dublin, South Beach, and now offers tours in Central Park, New York. Instead of charging a set hourly rate, Gray lets customers pay what they feel the ride is worth, with payments ranging from $5 to $300. Over time, Gray has built a clientele, working closely with locals. While the city has been trying to limit the number of pedicabs and impose licensing and insurance requirements, Gray supports making the business more legitimate. Most of his customers are tourists, while New Yorkers tend to favor taxis or walking. Gray hopes to expand his service beyond Central Park to areas like Greenwich Village and Harlem, especially if there is demand and financial benefit. Along with fellow operator Ruben, Gray believes the key to success in the pedicab business lies in the people, not the location.
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