New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Mayor Zohran Mamdani have agreed on legislation to ban horse-drawn carriages by June 2028. The bill, named Romanch's Law, follows the death of an 18-year-old tourist.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
New York City is moving toward a ban on horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, ending an industry that has operated for more than 150 years. City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Mayor Zohran Mamdani have reached an agreement on legislation that would make it illegal to operate horse-drawn carriages beginning in June 2028. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the bill on October 22.
The bill, referred to as Romanch's Law, would prohibit the issuance of new licenses for horse-drawn carriages and phase out existing operations by June 1, 2028. According to a spokesperson for Menin, the proposal has enough support to pass. The bill already has 29 sponsors, which is more than half of the City Council.
Menin stated that horse-drawn carriages had "become a growing public safety liability." She added, "We can honor our city’s traditions while recognizing when it’s time to move forward in the interest of public safety, protecting workers, and strengthening our city’s economic vitality."
The push for the ban intensified following the death of Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist from India, in June. Mahajan died after being thrown from a carriage when a horse got out of control. Investigators stated the carriage clipped the wheel of another carriage and toppled. This incident was reported as the first fatality in a horse carriage accident since the rides were introduced in Central Park.
Deepak Mahajan, the victim's father, spoke to city council members via videoconference, saying, "We are shattered, our whole family shattered. The pain does not go away." He described how his son leapt from the carriage to help his mother after the horse bolted.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU), which represents carriage drivers, has opposed the ban, citing concerns about the livelihoods of its members. John Samuelsen, the international president of the TWU, said the bill gave "no meaningful economic relief for workers." He further stated, "This is disgraceful political opportunism, and Zohran should not simply go along with it, particularly when immigrant families’ livelihoods are being destroyed. This entire situation is reprehensible."
The legislation includes a workforce transition program for drivers, offering career counseling and referrals to other job opportunities. It also requires the city to "consider" establishing a program to compensate carriage owners for the value of their businesses. Additionally, the bill mandates that horses be disposed of humanely, prohibiting their sale for slaughter or for use in carriage industries elsewhere.
Mayor Mamdani, who previously expressed concerns about insufficient worker protections in earlier versions of the bill, said on X: "The horse carriage industry is coming to an end in New York City. Our administration will make sure workers and owners are protected and the horses are safe."
The ban marks a significant shift in New York City policy, overcoming decades of political stalemate. Previous mayors, including Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams, had called for ending the rides but faced strong opposition from unions and influential supporters. The Central Park Conservancy, which manages the park, has long advocated for the ban, citing public safety concerns. Betsy Smith, the president and CEO of the Central Park Conservancy, said, "For the Central Park Conservancy, this has always been a matter of public safety. We hope carriages can be phased out efficiently and humanely so that no one else ever suffers the fate of Romanch Mahajan."
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a military camp in southern Yemen with ballistic missiles, killing at least 53 recruits and wounding 200 others, according to local authorities.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a Yemeni government military camp in Shabwa province with ballistic missiles, killing at least 53 soldiers and wounding 200 recruits.