NYC Votes to End Horse Carriage Rides
New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry faces closure after the City Council approved legislation to phase out the rides from June 2028. The measure passed on Thursday, October 22, with 40 members voting in favour, seven opposing it and two abstaining.
Backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the legislation would end a familiar attraction associated with Central Park and the city’s tourism industry. The decision follows years of debate over passenger safety, horse welfare and the livelihoods of carriage operators.
Tourist Death Intensifies Calls for Change
The death of Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old visitor from India, brought renewed urgency to demands for a ban. According to the supplied account, Mahajan suffered fatal injuries on June 17 after the horse pulling his family’s carriage bolted while the driver had stepped away to take a photograph.
The teenager was thrown from the carriage. His death intensified scrutiny of the industry and strengthened support for legislation now known as Romanch’s Law. The accident became a central part of the debate over whether horse-drawn rides should continue operating in a busy urban environment.
Worker Transition and Horse Welfare Measures
The bill sets June 1, 2028, as the cutoff for carriage-horse, carriage and driver licences, with existing licences permanently expiring on May 31. It also requires the mayor’s administration to establish a transition plan by April 1, 2027, covering owners, drivers, stable workers and others employed in the industry. Arrangements must ensure humane placement of the horses, while prohibiting their transfer for slaughter or use in another horse-drawn carriage business.
The supplied account says the city must also consider compensation for operators. However, workers remain concerned about how they will replace their income and what practical support will become available.
Union Plans Court Challenge
The Transport Workers Union, representing carriage owners and drivers, has pledged to challenge the legislation. It argues that shutting down a licensed industry would deprive operators of their businesses and the economic value of their property.
The union intends to seek a temporary restraining order once the legislation is enacted. Its opposition means the council’s decision could face further scrutiny in court before the planned phaseout takes effect.
Donald Trump also criticised the move, describing carriage rides as an important New York tradition. His intervention reflects the wider disagreement surrounding the decision, as the city prepares to balance safety concerns, horse welfare and the future of affected workers.
