Horse-drawn carriage drivers urged Mayor Zohran Mamdani to reconsider the recently passed legislation that will ban their industry, expressing feelings of betrayal and concern for their livelihoods. During a hearing at City Hall, members of the Transit Workers Union (TWU) confronted the mayor, stating they felt abandoned by a bill that offers no financial compensation for drivers who invested heavily in their trade.
One driver passionately addressed Mamdani, saying, "I thought you stood with us, working-class people, and our union, and our immigrant coworkers who poured their life savings into carriage medallions, pursuing the American dream." Another driver questioned the mayor's allegiances, asking, "Why have you sided with the billionaires and real estate developers?"
The City Council passed the bill, known as “Romanch’s Law,” with a veto-proof majority. The legislation, named after an 18-year-old tourist who died in July after falling from a carriage horse, aims to phase out the 150-year-old tradition by summer 2028. However, it currently provides only vague promises of job training for "new economic opportunities" rather than concrete financial support.
The lack of compensation has led to significant hardship for drivers. One driver told Mamdani that his daughter would have to drop out of university after three years due to the impending ban. Some drivers have reportedly invested upwards of $400,000 in medallions to operate their carriages, similar to the system for yellow cabs.
Mamdani, whose platform emphasizes support for the working class, acknowledged the drivers' concerns during the hearing. He stated, "I had the opportunity to visit a horse stable and meet with a number of poor scared drivers, including some of whom testified today." He added, "I want to emphasize my respect for them, for the work that they do – these are drivers who should not be demonized." The mayor committed to "creating a fair and just and real transition for them out of this workforce," but did not offer specific details.
The TWU Local 100, representing the drivers, has vowed to challenge the law in court as soon as it is formally enacted. The ban is scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2028. Animal rights advocates have long pushed for the ban, citing incidents of horses collapsing in extreme heat and the general welfare of the animals.