A newly formed organization supports the replacement of NYC’s horse carriages with electric ‘horseless’ carriages, and is calling on all NYC Mayoral Candidates to support the alternative.
The Committee for Compassionate and Responsible Tourism (CCRT) argues that this transition will defend the welfare of the horses without sacrificing jobs. The group’s founders, Susan Wagner and Elizabeth Forel, state that “The concept of electric carriages would be a win-win for everyone involved – saving the drivers’ jobs, creating new jobs in a whole new industry and finding good homes for the horses.”
An electric carriage in Guadalajara, Mexico
According to a press release by CCRT, “The union [in Guadalajara] was pleased because the drivers were making more money by not having to pay for food, vet bills and caring for the horses and thus, were able to work more hours and in extreme climates. The drivers were happy because the carriages looked aesthetically similar to the original, minus the horses.”
Other cities which have introduced the electric carriages include Cologne, Germany; Istanbul, Turkey; Mumbai, India; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and Motul, Mexico.
CCRT does acknowledge that “implementing electric carriages in New York City does have its challenges, including the need for a city rule change to permit their use, funding to pay for them and charging ports to charge them,” but reiterates that other cities have made the transition.
Sounds like a good idea on many levels.
This is such a remarkable new way to create a humane world for animals.
This is not only a great idea in itself but also much better than the suggestion to replace the horses with clones of Marjorie Taylor Green.
This is a win- win all around!
This is perhaps the dumbest idea I have ever heard. All the charm of an electric carriage. The tourists will just flock to this.
If you look at our website, you will see that electric carriages are being used in several cities around the world – successfully. Why? It is mostly the animal cruelty aspect. This includes – no only Guadalajara – but Berlin, Cologne, Dubai, Santo Domingo and the Princes Islands in Istanbul, Turkey.
We traveled to Guadalajara and learned that the drivers who made the transition from horse to electric are very happy with their choice because they make more money first off – and because they no longer have to worry about animal activists protesting against them.
https://compassionatetourism.org
Aren’y these the same people who were found to have ties to the real estate industry? Specifically developers who want to buy the land where the stables are currently located and develop it? While the women may have noble intentions on the surface, it sounds like a number of supporters have ulterior, profit-driven motives.
You are wrong! NO – we are absolutely not the same people who have “ties to the real estate industry.” I will not mention their name here. But if you looked at our website, you would see this. Look at “About Us.” I have worked on this issue since 2006 (and before) well before the other organization was started. We do this totally volunteer because we want to see the end of the horse-drawn carriage business in NYC. We do not get paid a dime for our work. And we do not expect to get any financial benefit from this.
But we know from years of pushing for a ban that it will not happen for obvious reasons. Jobs. Our solution comes after years of advocating for a ban. Electric carriages have been successful in other countries and there is no reason why they cannot be in NYC.
Please know the history of this issue before you try to malign our efforts. Ask any question you want through our web site and we will be happy to answer it.
https://compassionatetourism.org/
The horse drawn carriage is so New York. Tourists love it. They can get electric car rides in most major cities so I don’t see them flocking to ride them here. I always stop to pet the horses and they look pretty good to me. After all most of their work is in the park where I am sure the air is better. Since we seem to care so much about horses, how about the police horses. Those poor animals spend their time in the polluted theatre district. What could be worse. Lets try to hang on to those things that are uniquely New York. Those things that make it different than any place else.
You said “They can get electric car rides in most major cities” This is not true. Electric horseless carriages do not exist in any city in the United States. They do, however, exist in Guadalajara and several other cities – but not the US.
In Guadalajara, the carriage drivers decided to switch to electric carriages and are very pleased that they did so. They make more money and have more time for their families. The horses were all placed in good homes.
Please go to our website and look at the video and educate yourself about this issue. You will find interviews by several drivers. Read our op ed in Gotham Gazette.
https://compassionatetourism.org/
You are also wrong about several things:
1. Most tourists do not even see the horse carriages. They spend their time going to the museums, art galleries; concerts, operas, shopping, restaurants – but not taking a horse carriage ride.
2. The horses do work most of their day in congested Central park but they travel on the even more congested streets to their three stables on the far west side of Manhattan. This is most of the accidents occur. After a certain time, depending on the day, they travel to other areas of the city.
3. Stopping to pet a horse may be nice thing for you but it provides no information about the horse’s well being – where or how he lives, etc. You are probably not aware that there is no opportunity for daily turnout at the stables because there is simply no room for it to exist. So the horses spend all their time when they are not at work – in a stall that is 60 sq ft – when they should be at least 144 sq. ft. And I can go on and on but I will not.
4. If you care so much for the police horse – instead of “what aboutism” how about you advocate for them.
5. The horse carriage is so New York? In January, it was banned in Chicago and Montreal in early 2020. Neither city offered job alternatives and did not address what would happen to the horses. We do not want to do that – hence – this new project. If you look at our website you will see the cities where it has been shut down. You will also see the active campaigns against it.
A reminder that this was one of DeBlasio’s empty campaign promises, to eliminate horse-drawn carriages in NYC. He failed to do this. It is long since past time to end this outdated practice.