NYC Horse Carriage Drivers Vow to Fight Mayor's Ban, Citing Financial and Legacy Concerns
Industry leaders argue that the proposed phase-out of horse-drawn carriages will devastate livelihoods and disregard a century-old tradition.
Horse carriage drivers in New York City are preparing to contest Mayor Zohran Mamdani's recent agreement with City Council Speaker Julie Menin to phase out the iconic industry, arguing the decision threatens their financial stability and a deeply rooted tradition. A vote on the bill to ban carriage operations is expected next week, with a potential implementation date of June 2028.
The move follows a series of controversies, including a fatal incident in June where 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan died after a fall, leading to the bill being renamed "Romanch’s Law." Animal rights activists have also intensified their focus on the industry, citing concerns over horse welfare, with viral videos of horses in distress fueling calls for a ban.
Frank Riccobono, owner and manager of NYC Horse Carriage Rides, expressed dismay over the proposed ban, questioning the parallel existence of pedicabs and lamenting the potential loss of a "168-year-old tradition." Riccobono, who owns 12 horses and three carriages, stated that his investment in the business, including a medallion purchased for nearly $400,000, is at risk with no reimbursement outlined in the bill. "I am going to take a very, very big loss here and there's no reimbursement in this bill," he told Fox News Digital.
Riccobono, whose family has been involved in the horse carriage business for decades, described the criticism as "brainwashing" and asserted that his horses receive "the most perfect lifestyle" with regular veterinary care. He views the proposed legislation as an attempt to "criminalize us because a horse is working."
Christina Hansen, a veteran carriage driver and shop steward for Transport Workers Union Local 100, voiced frustration that drivers have not been directly consulted. "The only cruelty in the New York City carriage industry has always been the way that the people in it, the way the carriage drivers and carriage owners and stable owners are treated," she said.
Mamdani's office has stated a commitment to ensuring workers are not left behind, with a spokesperson for Menin indicating her involvement in a transition that "must include meaningful protections for the workers." A working group with labor representatives and city administration has been proposed.
However, drivers like Hansen and Riccobono express skepticism about the promised support. Hansen raised concerns about the capacity of horse rescues and sanctuaries to care for the displaced animals, warning that funding issues could leave horses without adequate care once national attention wanes. "There's no funding from the city or anything like that to say, we're going to make sure that, you know, the city pays for the horse's retirement," she said.
This is not the first attempt to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio also pursued a similar ban in 2014, which ultimately failed. Riccobono and other drivers have vowed to continue their fight for their rights, their horses, and for "fairness and justice."