NYC Council Votes to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages by 2028
The decision to end a nearly 170-year tradition follows the death of a teenager, prompting threats of a lawsuit from carriage drivers and criticism from former President Trump.
The New York City Council voted Thursday to ban horse-drawn carriages by June 1, 2028, marking the end of a tradition spanning nearly 170 years. The vote, which passed 40-7 with two abstentions, was named Romanch's Law in honor of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died in June after being thrown from a runaway carriage in Central Park.
The legislation mandates that Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration develop a transition program for the more than 150 active carriage drivers and other workers. This program is expected to include job training, career counseling, and employment referrals, though financial compensation is not guaranteed.
Former President Donald Trump criticized the ban on Truth Social, calling the horse-drawn carriage a "quintessential New York experience" and lamenting its political demise.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU), which represents the carriage industry workers, has threatened to challenge the ban in federal court and seek a temporary restraining order. Union representatives accused City Council Speaker Julie Menin of insufficient consultation with drivers regarding the impact on their livelihoods.
Menin defended the legislation, stating that worker protections have been strengthened and that the city is prepared for legal challenges. "We made changes to legislation to beef up worker protection. We are very confident in defending this law and will vigorously defend it," she said at a news conference.
Animal rights organization PETA applauded the vote and pledged $50,000 to aid in the retirement of the carriage horses. The Central Park Conservancy also supported the decision, citing growing safety risks posed by carriages in a park that attracts approximately 40 million visitors annually.
"In the modern era, carriages pose a serious — and even fatal — safety risk to park visitors, carriage drivers and the horses themselves," the Conservancy said in a press release, referencing Mahajan's death as the ninth carriage-related incident in just over a year.
The new law also includes provisions to protect retired carriage horses from being sold for slaughter, while allowing current owners to keep their animals. The bill now moves to Mayor Mamdani, who has publicly supported ending the industry. If signed, it will conclude a long-standing political debate over the iconic New York City attraction.