The New York City Council voted Thursday to phase out horse-drawn carriage rides by June 1, 2028, following years of debate over animal welfare and public safety. The legislation, Intro 943 (Romanch’s Law), was named after 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died after jumping from a runaway carriage in Central Park in June 2024. His mother was also injured in the incident. The bill now heads to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s desk for final approval.
The law requires a transition plan for the city’s approximately 200 carriage drivers, including job referrals in transit, hospitality, and taxi industries, as well as career counseling. The administration is also exploring potential compensation for affected workers, though details remain under development. The horses used in the industry would be required to receive humane treatment during the phaseout period.
Supporters of the ban, including animal rights groups like PETA, argue the industry poses unnecessary risks to both animals and the public. Critics, including some carriage drivers and city council members, contend the ban is unconstitutional and threatens livelihoods without adequate alternatives. The debate reflects longstanding tensions between tradition, economic interests, and animal welfare in New York City.
Immediate Impact and Legal Challenges
The vote marks the latest attempt to end a 160-year-old tradition in Central Park, which has drawn both tourists and criticism over the years. The legislation passed despite opposition from drivers like Alexus Lawson, a 28-year-old carriage operator who has worked in the industry for six years. Lawson expressed concern about the fate of her horses, stating, “Without a job, how can I take care of my horses?”
New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino has already signaled plans to challenge the law, calling it unconstitutional and vowing to file lawsuits immediately after its passage. “Intro 943 is unconstitutional,” Paladino said. “Lawsuits are going to be filed immediately after this effort is passed. They’re going to be tangled up in legalese.”
The Manhattan Borough President’s office reported that 40 horses have died in Central Park since 1982, attributing some deaths to overheating and collisions. Advocates for the ban argue these incidents underscore systemic failures in the industry’s oversight.
Driver Concerns and Transition Plans
For drivers like Medet Fidan, a former cab driver who transitioned to carriage work, the ban represents a sudden loss of income without clear alternatives. Fidan, who operates a carriage with a 7-year-old horse named Star, said, “No one can come up with an appropriate answer because there is none.”
Mayor Mamdani’s office has stated a commitment to supporting affected workers, with a spokesperson noting that the administration is developing a detailed transition plan to be finalized by April 2025. The plan includes job referrals and career counseling, though specifics on compensation remain undetermined.
Frank Riccobono, owner of NYC Horse Carriage Rides, and Christina Hansen, a carriage driver and union representative, told reporters that the industry provides stable employment for many families. Riccobono argued that the ban would disproportionately harm low-income workers who rely on the trade.
Animal Welfare and Public Safety Debates
The push to ban horse-drawn carriages gained momentum after Mahajan’s death, which reignited longstanding concerns about animal treatment and public safety. Animal rights groups, including PETA, have long argued that the carriages subject horses to stressful conditions, including extreme heat and heavy traffic.
Ron Tsur, a New York resident, echoed these concerns, stating, “There were a few cases of horses dying in the middle of the park. You can clearly see that they're not taken care of.”
Proponents of the ban also point to incidents like the June 2024 accident as evidence of systemic risks. However, drivers dispute claims of widespread neglect, asserting that their horses are well-cared-for and that the industry operates under strict regulations.
Historical Context and Future Implications
Horse-drawn carriages have been a fixture in Central Park since the mid-19th century, becoming a symbol of New York City’s tourism industry. The industry employs roughly 200 drivers, many of whom have worked in the trade for decades. The phaseout period, set to begin in 2028, provides time for drivers to transition to other careers, though uncertainty remains about the availability of comparable jobs.
The legislation’s passage reflects shifting public attitudes toward animal welfare and traditional industries. While some New Yorkers welcome the ban as a humane measure, others view it as an overreach that disregards the economic realities of carriage drivers.
Mayor Mamdani has framed the policy as part of a broader effort to address public safety and animal rights, stating that the city has a “civic responsibility to ensure that we are not leaving anybody out to dry.” The final implementation of the transition plan will determine whether the ban achieves its goals without leaving workers and animals in limbo.