Until we figure out how to download and re-project all existing Central Park horses into some kind of Matrix-esque hologram simulation, we will be writing about the ebb and flow of the horse drawn carriage debacle (controversy? debate? handwringing?). The latest chapter was filed yesterday, with the unveiling of the proposed eCarriage alternative at the New York International Auto Show.
The eCarriage is modeled after the earliest 20th century horseless carriages, and was commissioned by the animal advocacy group NYCLASS. Allie Feldman, executive director of NYCLASS, told the Wall Street Journal "I don't even know who would think about taking a ride on a smelly carriage that's being pulled by an abused horse when they see this instead," adding that NYCLASS plans to help carriage drivers find financing if they are interested.
Prototype eCarriage (Getty Images)
The eCarriage prototype seats eight people and cost around $450,000 to design and produce. NYCLASS says that if purchased in bulk, the price per unit could drop to $150,000. Yesterday the Central Park Conservancy, which manages the park, blasted the eCarriages: "40 million people visit Central Park each year, including runners, bicyclists, kids, and dog owners. Adding vehicles to the mix will make the Park less safe for all of them and increase congestion."
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Mayor de Blasio's plan to eliminate the carriages has stalled in City Council, mostly due to the 400-plus jobs at stake. De Blasio ran on a promise to end the carriage horse industry, and has recently campaigned hard for these eCarriage replacements despite the numerous criticisms of their viability. We are sure that this has nothing to do with the hefty sums spent by NYCLASS attacking Christine Quinn during the Democratic Primary or the board members considerable donations to the de Blasio's mayoral campaign.
Elizabeth Forel, president of the Coalition to Ban Horse Drawn Carriages, expressed skepticism at the eCarriage, telling us "It's a throw away. They will not be allowed in the park, nor should they be." Her organization is supportive of carriage retrofitting, which transforms horse drawn carriages into self-movers at a fraction of the eCarriage cost.
Ultimately, the debate over the eCarriages has become mostly a distraction. Supporters of the carriage horse industry have used the expensive eCarriages as more fuel to the fire, along with the recent Quinnipiac poll that puts 64% of New Yorkers against the proposed ban.
[UPDATE]
We reached out to NYCLASS for a comment on the viability of the eCarriages, the criticisms of its price and possible implementation, the allegations of NYCLASS board members pining for the valuable real estate the Central Park stables sit on, and other possible alternatives like the retrofitted carriages. We were directed to this Village Voice piece accusing the Daily News of misleading NYCLASS during a reporting visit, as well as provided the comment below from Executive Director Allie Feldman.
"Ending the inhumane and unsafe practice of carriage horses in New York City is inevitable, and replacing them with electric 'horseless carriages' is a logical way to save jobs and appease all sides."
