NYC Council Votes to Ban Central Park Horse-Drawn Carriages
The New York City Council approved a bill Thursday phasing out horse-drawn carriages by June 2028. Trump called the rides a great tradition and lamented their end.
- 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan died in June after a carriage horse bolted.
- The bill, called Romanch's Law, is named after him.
- 40 carriage horses have died on the job since 1982.
- The bill bars new licenses and protects retired horses from slaughter.
Why it matters: The ban follows decades of failed attempts by past mayors. It would end a tourism staple that has run since the 1800s.
- About 150 drivers currently work in the city's carriage trade.
- Philadelphia, Chicago and San Antonio have also outlawed the rides.
How 20 sources split on this story
Where they split: The core dispute is whether one fatal accident and animal welfare concerns justify ending an industry that supports about 150 workers.
Center coverage, 7 sources: The center frames the vote as the end of a century-old tradition, with Trump's comments as one reaction.
Left coverage, 6 sources: The left frames Trump's posts as an intrusion into a local safety debate set off by a teen's death.
Right coverage, 7 sources: The right frames the ban as a Mamdani-backed political move that costs jobs and faces legal challenges.
What’s next: Mamdani supports the bill and is expected to sign it.
- The city must produce a worker transition plan by April 2027.
- Transport Workers Union Local 100 has vowed to challenge the ban as unconstitutional.
- Will courts block the ban before June 2028?
- Will the city compensate carriage owners for their businesses?
