HACK LINE MYSTERIES ....
On Thursday night at the hack line -- November 12, 2015 - horse after horse was left unattended near Seventh Avenue, standing around waiting for fares that never came. This is not unusual.
It is both dangerous and illegal to leave carriage horses unattended and untethered in New York City. It is written into the NYC Administrative Code - §17–330 Regulations.
But no one in authority is paying attention.
It also raises the questions: where is all the business? And why is the carriage trade digging in their heels to keep this questionable business.?
We have observed this many times. No business. So we continue to ask the question: WHY!
Why does this cash only business still exist? What/who is behind it? Fewer than 250 licenses have been issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs to drive a horse-drawn carriages. Some of those licensees are not actively involved and live in other cities and countries, holding onto the license because it is inexpensive. There are only 68 medallions / owners. The other drivers are independent contractors who have to take care of their own taxes and get a percentage of their fares. Only 120 drivers belong to the union. Because it is not 100%, it is not a union shop and this means that there are no benefits. No health care, no vacation days, no 401 K/s. Nothing. It is name only. This obviously means that they are not "good union jobs" as many think.
So why are they still hanging on?
Why is the Mayor and City Council allowing this inhumane and unsafe business to continue? Why are they afraid of this tiny group of people?
These are the $64,000 questions.
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| Unattended and untethered -- no driver in sight © Mary Culpepper |
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| Unattended and untethered -- no driver in sight - © Mary Culpepper |
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| Unattended and untethered -- no driver in sight - © Mary Culpepper |
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| Carriage
drivers standing around by the wall, as their horses are unattended:
illegal, dangerous, and curious - where is all the business that has made them dig their heels in? © Mary Culpepper |
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| Unattended and untethered -- no driver in sight - © Mary Culpepper |
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| Carriage
driver is so bored that he's relaxing in the back of the carriage,
leaving his horse unattended illegally and endangering the public safety
as well as the horse. © Mary Culpepper |
