Wacky-Looking Electric Carriages Could Soon Cruise NYC

CENTRAL PARK, NY — Wacky-looking electric carriages could soon by cruising the streets of New York City as a transportation company enters talks with elected officials to bring the vehicles to Central Park, executives told Patch.

Unicarriage provides a zero-emission alternative to limousines that offer the excitement of riding in a horse carriage, Chief Operating Officer Tom Dreifus said in an interview. The company, which launched in London this year, hopes the electric coaches become associated with the city before a wider rollout in the United States.

"You're up a little higher than in a normal car or SUV so you really get to see the sights," Dreifus said. "It's really about seeing what's around you and it's also about being seen. We have tourists coming to the city and people wave at you, they look at you, people wave back, it's a real fun experience."

The fully-enclosed carriages are operated by a trained driver, never by occupants, and feature climate control and a sound system that can be used for music or for a guided tour, Dreifus said. A number of different carriages also have special designs such as a holiday theme or an Art Deco theme that evokes some of New York's iconic architecture. The vehicles also wouldn't bog down city traffic, as they can reach speeds of 25 miles per hour.

Dreifus said the company hopes to launch in New York City during the upcoming holiday season, but talks with city officials are still ongoing. The vehicles are street legal, they can be registered through the Department of Transportation and hit the road like any other car, but the company hopes it can secure some sort of deal with the city to operate in places such as Central Park and Prospect Park. Private vehicles have been banned from both parks in recent years.

"We would want — or need — some sort of approval to go through the parks and different areas," Dreifus said. "In those areas we obviously wouldn't be going 25, we'd probably go three-to-five miles per hour. We don't want to impede pedestrians and want to be very careful."

The company has met with City Council members in districts near city parks and the Brooklyn Borough President, who seemed receptive to the company's plan, Dreifus said.

Unicarriage first launched its business five years ago in Los Angeles, but eventually pulled its vehicles from the road due to safety concerns, the company executive told Patch. The company's old vehicles used to be carriages pulled by conventional motorcycles, but Unicarriage completely reinvented its business during a five year period, eventually transitioning to a 100 percent electric and custom-designed vehicle.

The transition to an electric vehicle made sense for the company's goals. The quieter vehicles offer a better user experience and fit in better with the surroundings while being more eco friendly, Dreifus said. The vehicles can operate in all weather conditions, according to the executive.

"It's really about the ride versus the distance. When you're inside you're not just trying to go from point A to point B, you want to enjoy the view as you're going."

Most of Unicarriage's current business is private rentals, but the company plans to offer rides that can be reserved using a phone app. The company said that its goal is not to phase out New York City's traditional horse carriage industry, which has come under increased regulation by the city in recent years.