New York City Council approves phase-out of horse-drawn carriages

A New York City tradition that has lasted more than 160 years is moving closer to its end. The New York City Council voted 40-7 Thursday to approve Romanch’s Law, which would phase out horse-drawn carriage rides by June 1, 2028. Two council members abstained. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office says he plans to sign the bill. The legislation is named for Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist who died following a horse-drawn carriage accident in Central Park in June. His death brought new attention to a debate over carriage safety that had lasted for years, ABC News reported. Horse-drawn carriages have operated in Central Park since 1858. City officials say the park now receives more than 42 million visitors each year. Supporters of the ban argue that crowded conditions, extreme heat and other concerns have made the rides unsafe for horses and people. The transition will also affect the people who make their living from the carriage industry. The legislation requires the city to create a program offering affected workers employment assistance, including career counseling and job opportunities, CBS New York said. The horses are part of the plan, too. The ASPCA says the transition is designed to help carriage horses move to appropriate homes, and the organization has offered assistance through its network of rescue partners. Not everyone supports the change. The union representing carriage drivers has threatened legal action, arguing the measure threatens workers’ livelihoods, ABC News said.