New York City Council votes to ban horse-drawn carriages in 2028
publishers 34articles 35first reported 18 Oct, 09:00 UTCdeveloping since 19 Oct · 12 editionstop 25 #23
The New York City Council voted Thursday to ban horse-drawn carriages, ending a tourist tradition that has operated in and around Central Park for more than 160 years.
The measure passed 40-7, with two abstentions, and is expected to be signed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. It will take effect June 1, 2028, and also prohibits carriage horses from being sold for slaughter or transferred to other carriage companies.
Known as Romanch’s Law, the legislation is named for 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who died after a carriage-related crash in Central Park in June. Animal-rights advocates and city officials had sought a ban for years, arguing that horse-drawn carriages are unsuitable for crowded city streets.
The city’s roughly 150 carriage drivers and their union opposed the measure, saying it threatens livelihoods and businesses built over decades. Drivers protested before the vote, and the Transport Workers Union is expected to mount a legal challenge. Opponents also argued that the industry was being unfairly blamed for broader public-safety risks.
President Donald Trump criticized the ban before the vote, saying he was sad to see the carriages go. Councilwoman Joann Ariola was among those who voted against the bill, while activist Curtis Sliwa supported its passage.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 110 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- Source articles
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- Given to the writer
- 8, 4 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
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- This version written
- 110 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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