A new campaign to ban horse-drawn carriages is underway by the New York City Council. They would be replaced by electric cars.
A political coalition in the City Council is in place to ban horse-drawn carriages from the streets of New York, according to the outlet NY Post. The bill was introduced by conservative Democratic adviser Robert Holden. He wants to replace horse-drawn carriages with electric cars by 1is June 2024. The new legislation plans to give drivers licensing preferences for new electric cars and to be paid in force or collect union wages, set by the city comptroller.
A measure that the former mayor and city council failed to pass. In 2016, Bill de Blasio, then mayor of New York, had wanted horse-drawn carriages to be banned but his proposal did not pass. The current mayor of the American city, Eric Adams, is not necessarily for this ban. During his municipal campaign, he announced that he was opposed to this measure.
Nine other council members have signed the bill. This initiative delights animal rights associations. The New York for a Clean Liviable and Safe Streets (NYCLASS), a group opposed to these horse-drawn carriages, has announced that it is launching an advertising campaign to help pass this bill. ” Unlike horses, electric cars are not afraid of traffic. Drivers will receive more wages and benefits. The streets will be safer for everyone, and animals will no longer be abused or neglected. It’s high time for city leaders to step away from horse-drawn carriages and end this outdated abuse once and for all, like most other major cities have already done. explains Edita Birnkrant, Managing Director of NYCLASS.
The anger of unions and drivers
On the driver side, many do not agree with this switch to electric cars. ” I came here to work with horses. I did not come here to drive a golf cart. None of the other drivers either. We do it because we love horses “says Christina Hansen, carriage driver. The Union of Transport Workers (TWU) aim to curb opposition to the ban on horse-drawn carriages, which they say are emblematic of Central Park and its surroundings. TWU’s Tony Utano promised the ban would not pass. ” It’s unfortunate that some council members who signed this bill didn’t even bother to contact the drivers’ union to get the workers’ perspective. “protests Tony Utano. He justifies himself by explaining that the horses receive physical examinations by veterinarians, two to four times a year, dental care and vaccinations. ” They have comfy, clean stalls, spend their days in the park, and get at least five weeks of farm vacations every year. “, he details.
Thirty other unions and union groups support the Transport Workers Union.
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