NYC Council approves phased ban on horse-drawn carriages by 2028
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The New York City Council voted 40-7 to end horse-drawn carriage operations in Central Park by June 2028, with a transition program for drivers, while facing legal threats from the Transport Workers Union.
The New York City Council voted Thursday, 40-7 with two abstentions, to adopt Romanch's Law, which will phase out horse-drawn carriage services in Central Park by June 1, 2028. The legislation is named after 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died after being thrown from a carriage in June.
The bill requires Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration to create a transition program for more than 150 carriage drivers, offering job training, career counseling and employment referrals, though it does not guarantee financial compensation.
"We’re very confident in the legislation. That’s why we took the time to work over the summer on the legislation," Council Speaker Julie Menin said at a news conference, adding that the council had strengthened worker protections and was prepared for a legal challenge.
The Transport Workers Union, which represents carriage industry workers, warned it will seek a federal court injunction, accusing Council Speaker Menin of insufficient consultation with drivers.
President Donald Trump criticized the decision on Truth Social, calling the carriage experience "quintessential" and lamenting its loss for "political reasons."
Animal-rights group PETA announced a $50,000 pledge to assist in retiring carriage horses, while the Central Park Conservancy highlighted safety concerns, noting the incident was the ninth carriage-related accident in just over a year.
If signed by Mayor Mamdani, the law would end a nearly 170-year tradition and conclude a long-standing political dispute over the city’s iconic tourist attraction.