New York City Council votes to ban horse-drawn carriages in 2028
publishers 40articles 42first reported 18 Oct, 09:00 UTCdeveloping since 19 Oct · 12 editions
The New York City Council voted Thursday to ban horse-drawn carriages, ending a tradition that has operated in the city for more than 160 years. The measure passed 40-7, with two members abstaining, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to sign it.
The ban will take effect June 1, 2028. It also prohibits carriage horses from being sold for slaughter or transferred to other carriage companies.
The legislation, known as Romanch’s Law, is named for Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist from India who died following a carriage-related crash in Central Park in June. Animal-rights advocates and officials had sought restrictions on the industry for years, arguing that horse-drawn carriages are unsafe and unsuited to the city’s congested streets.
Carriage drivers protested before the vote and said the ban would eliminate their livelihoods and businesses. The industry employs about 150 drivers, some of whom have worked with horses in New York for decades. The Irish Times reported that the Transport Workers Union is expected to challenge the decision, while opponents said proposed assistance for affected workers is insufficient.
Supporters of the carriage trade describe it as a defining part of Central Park and New York culture. President Donald Trump also lamented the expected ban Thursday. Critics, including activist Curtis Sliwa, welcomed the vote as an overdue animal-welfare measure.
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Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 132 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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