New York City Moves to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages in Central Park
New York City officials are preparing to vote on a bill that would effectively ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, marking the end of a tradition that has been around since the late 1800s.
The City Council is expected to approve this legislation as early as next week, aiming to eliminate the rides—popular for over 150 years—by June 1, 2028.
This decision follows an agreement between Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin. It could signal the first successful attempt to outlaw these rides, despite previous mayors’ attempts to terminate the industry without success.
A spokesperson for Mamdani’s office stated, “We have been collaborating with the City Council, union representatives, carriage drivers, animal welfare advocates, and community leaders to ensure a fair transition that safeguards workers while phasing out horse-drawn carriages in Central Park.”
Menin, who was the first City Council speaker to support this bill, expressed her enthusiasm for the decision, saying, “We can honor our city’s traditions while recognizing when it’s time to move forward for public safety, protecting workers, and bolstering our city’s economic health.”
The bill has also garnered criticism, particularly from members of the Transit Workers Union, which represents about 160 carriage drivers in the area. Alexander Kemp, the union’s administrative vice president, lamented the potential job loss, arguing that many drivers are immigrants nearing retirement and would struggle to find new work if the industry shuts down.
Pressure to ban horse-drawn carriages has intensified in the aftermath of tragic incidents, including the death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died after a runaway carriage accident in June. Following this incident, activists have heightened their efforts to eliminate these carriages, highlighting concerns over animal welfare and public safety.
PETA’s Ashley Byrne stated, “New Yorkers are fed up with seeing tired, sick horses struggling to pull carriages in congested areas.” The organization has continuously fought against this industry, citing numerous instances of horse abuse and accidents.
Despite the push for a ban, Kemp accused the City Council of using Mahajan’s tragic death to shift the narrative of the legislation from animal welfare to public safety. He criticized the administration for failing to protect the livelihoods of carriage drivers while promoting immigrant-friendly policies.
The proposed legislation requires city agencies to develop a workforce transition plan by April 1, 2027, and ensures that carriage owners cannot sell their horses for slaughter. Instead, the horses would need to be rehomed or placed in humane situations.
As the City Council prepares to vote on October 22, supporters of the ban remain optimistic about its passage, while opponents are concerned about the implications for the workers impacted by this potential legislation.
