NYC Council Votes to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages in Central Park
New York City's iconic horse-drawn carriages are headed for retirement. The City Council voted Thursday to ban the rides, ending a tradition that has been part of Central Park for more than 160 years.
The bill passed 40-7, with two members abstaining, a veto-proof majority, City & State New York reported. Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office said he will sign it.
What the Ban Does
The legislation, known as Romanch's Law, phases out horse-drawn carriages by June 1, 2028. It also requires the city to create a transition plan by April 1, 2027, to help workers find new jobs.
Under the law, owners can keep their horses if they choose, but the horses cannot be sold to other carriage businesses or to slaughterhouses. The bill also calls for the animals to be placed in humane homes, CBS New York reported.
According to the Transport Workers Union, there are about 180 carriage horses, roughly 150 active drivers and 68 carriage medallions in the city.
A Tragedy That Sparked Change
The bill is named after Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist from India who was in New York celebrating his high school graduation. In June, Mahajan was killed in Central Park after he jumped from a carriage while trying to help his mother, who had been thrown from it.
"We want to make sure Romanch's death was not in vain," said Saggar Chadha, an attorney for Mahajan's family. His uncle, speaking outside City Hall on Thursday, vowed that he "will never be forgotten," ABC7 New York reported.
Efforts to ban the carriages go back nearly two decades. "The first city council bill to ban the horse carriage industry happened 19 years ago," said City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who called the vote a "landmark."
Menin said carriages do not belong in a park where "42 million people a year" visit, with horses pulling a "1,000-pound carriage in record heat." Central Park Conservancy CEO Betsy Smith also called the rides a serious safety risk to visitors, drivers and horses.
Drivers Vow to Fight Back
Not everyone is celebrating. Carriage owners and drivers rallied at City Hall ahead of the vote, and their union says it plans to take the fight to federal court.
Transport Workers Union Local 100 argues that medallion owners should be compensated and that forcing horses to move could amount to an illegal seizure of property. The bill asks the city to "consider" compensation but does not require it.
"We are not done yet," said Christina Hansen of TWU Local 100. TWU International President John Samuelsen said the transition plan's promises amount to "supposals" with "no guarantees."
Carriage owner Francesco Riccobono said he had recently invested $400,000 in his business, and his wife, Natalie, asked for fairness and a seat at the table. TWU lawyer Ben Kallos predicted a judge would overturn the ban, arguing the city never properly studied its economic impact. "They were supposed to figure out what the economic impact was," he said.
Menin said she is "very confident" the city can defend the law in court.
Trump Weighs In
President Donald Trump also criticized the decision, calling the end of the carriages "sad" and the rides a "great tradition." He argued the move was driven by a single accident.
Animal rights groups, meanwhile, welcomed the vote. Kathleen Schatzmann of the Animal Legal Defense Fund called it a start toward a more humane approach to tourism. Supporters say 80% of New Yorkers want the carriage rides to end.
For now, visitors can still take a carriage ride through Central Park, but the clock is ticking on one of the city's most famous attractions.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.