New York City Council Bans Horse-Drawn Carriages

New York City Council has voted to ban horse-drawn carriages from city streets and Central Park, marking the end of a long-standing industry and tourist attraction. The ban is set to take effect in June 2028.

The vote saw 40 out of the city's 51 lawmakers support the measure, which was previously backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Seven council members opposed the bill, while two abstained.

The decision gained momentum after the death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan from India earlier this summer. Mahajan was fatally injured on June 17 when a horse bolted and threw him from the carriage after the driver stepped away to take a photograph.

Donald Trump, whose business is headquartered near Central Park, expressed skepticism about the ban. He wrote on Truth Social that the situation was comparable to car accidents in the park, questioning why carriages would be singled out. Trump described the carriages as a "Great Tradition" and "Another piece of History that’s gone."

The legislation mandates the city to develop a workforce transition plan by April. It also calls for consideration of a program to compensate carriage operators and assist in the disposition of their horses, stipulating that the animals cannot be slaughtered.

Prior to the vote, the Transport Workers Union, representing carriage owners and drivers, indicated its intention to seek a temporary restraining order if the bill was enacted. The union's principal attorney, Arthur Schwartz, argued in a letter to New York City Corporation Counsel Steve Banks that the proposed bill might be the first instance in the city's history of banning a previously licensed profession and that it would deprive owners of the economically beneficial use of their property.