For years I’ve been baffled over the pricing of pedicabs in Central Park. As you can see from the image above..there’s pricing at $2.49 and another for $3.00, yet they’re both offering the exact same service…a pedicab ride. Not only does it seem expensive, but how can you have all these different prices? And that much per minute? What’s the story?
So I asked. I was walking through Central Park and came across a bunch of young men just hanging out with their pedicabs. I thought…now’s the time to ask. So the story goes something like this…
Me to one of the drivers: “Can you explain to me why you charge $5.00 a minute and your pedicab brother here is charging $3.00 a minute? What are you going to give me for that extra $2.00?
Another driver enters the conversation: “Well it’s like this (with a very serious face)…If you employ the driver that charges $2.49 a minute…well…they can’t speak any English. If you employ the driver that charges $3….well…they can speak a little English. If you employ a driver that charges $4.00 a minute…they can speak English, but with a heavy accent. But…if you employ a driver that charges $5.00 an hour…well honey you got yourself an American!
So there you have it! We both had a good laugh over it…and after a little more discussion…it’s basically all up for negotiations…so they say…
I was still a touch curious about the price…cause in my little mind when you multiply using the average of say $3.00 a minute and take a 60 minute ride…well that’s $180 dollars.. WHAT??? That’s crazy!
So I dug a little deeper to see if I could find some specific prices. Sure enough on several websites it mentions a ride through Central Park will run you about $45 for an hour for one adult and $30 for a kid. So I’m assuming that the per minute rate that’s published on their bikes is a worst case scenario? Anyway, it still seems confusing to me. So the bottom line? Do your research and try to negotiate!
And for those of you wondering about the status of the horse-drawn carriages in Central Park…looks like the legislation says that as of June 1st of 2016…”it shall be unlawful to operate a horse-drawn vehicle in the city of New York or offer rides to the public on a vehicle drawn or pulled by a carriage horse.” So we’ll see…
Wow Frissy, Thank YOU so much for sharing this information about the pedicabs through your City…Who, among us tourists, would ever know the deference or be brave enough to ask? Big, Big, difference though and certainly something to ponder when you consider how much a one hour ride can rack up… As for the horse-drawn carriages… so sad if they really let that go…so sad… Love and hugs…xoxo
Thanks my dear…yes…very sad indeed…thanks always for your comments and visits! xo
That would totally confuse me, too, Robin, and already I was doing the quick math. Man alive! It makes you wonder, doesn’t it!!! How much they stay in business? And if they do, then it’s working or some serious negotiating is going on behind the scenes. And I bet they don’t tell each other. HA! Anyway, good for you for asking. I can picture it. 😀
I can’t imagine no horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, however, come June 2016. Maybe there will be enough time to change their minds? (sigh) If it’d be a good thing, that is. I can imagine the back-n-forth debate on the subject…..
LOL Ginnie…yes, I think there’s some serious negotiations going on! And I can’t even imagine not seeing horses around the park. Surely there has to be a solution! Thank you! xo
What a story! Anyway – I rather walk.
Me too! But I did take one once…with a girlfriend…heading down Fifth Ave…it was a blast! xo
Oh no about the horse-drawn carriages!
I know…but we’ll keep our fingers crossed! So happy to have you here Ruth!
I don’t think I even saw Pedicabs last time I was in NY, just bicyclist — more fun to just self propel.
What concerns me most about removing the horse drawn carriages is what will become of those horses? I used to work at a stable where we bought horses that no one wanted. Some had behavior issues, some weren’t pretty enough, and some had physical issues and were no longer useful to their owners. Being trail horses was a much better fate than what could have happened to them. But with large carriage horses? There aren’t a lot of jobs available for them.
Well there’re here in huge numbers and have been for a number of years. They mainly hang around Central Park. I have read that the legislation does contain a requirement…proof that the horses won’t be slaughtered when they’re taken out of service. So we’ll see! Thanks for your visit!
You’ve cleared that up:) Thank you!
Thanks for your visit Elena!
Can you hire bikes Robin ? the rates these guys charge is akin to premier league football players wages, way too expensive. I’d happily cycle around your fair city.
So true Shooter! Thanks for your visit!
Thanks for sharing, very interesting and funny explanations. I know the pedicabs in AC on the boardwalk have signs with prices (the same) but I always bargain and get it cheaper. Only tourists pay full price on anything other than a real cab or now Uber is big.
Funny, I also asked one of the AC pedicabs if they are individually owned or if they work for one company. They are individually owned.
I’m so sad about the horse & carriages and I can’t remember for the life of me if I ever went on one in Central Park and I don’t believe I ever have. I better get there soon, if I want to. Never been to the Bronx Zoo, Ellis Island or the planeterium, either. Also never saw the Liberty Bell. So many historic icons that a native NY’er missed. Crazy.
I do hope they change their minds in regards to the horse & carriages.
XOXO
I so hope they change their minds too Lisa! And as a native NY’er…you gotta get busy girl!! Big hugs! xo
Robin, I read this post aloud to my sweet husband and we both had a good laugh. When we visited NYC we were so out of our element (truly country bumpkins in the big city). But we were so fascinated by every element and we’d watch the pedicabs and marvel – though of course we walked everywhere – because as you’ve pointed out we’d need a small fortune to take this ride. I absolutely adore the photo of the two drivers having a laugh. The subtle blur of motion, the background of NY busyness, and the unique pedicabs that tell of the culture of NY – all elements of an exceptional editorial photograph.
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating – I look forward to your blog posts – every single one!
That conversation was so funny…he was so serious until the end! Thanks always for your feedback on my photography…means so much! THANK YOU!
I can’t imagine the Central Park without horse-drawn carriages, what a pity. And yes, I’d rather walk, too … and trying to find all the beautiful spots where you took pictures …
I am just blown away that people actually pay any money to ride on a dirty pedicab. I thought people were struggling to make ends meet……go figure.
The only way anyone could get me into one of those things is if I was dying to go to the bathroom……TMI I know but what the hell