NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Moves to End Central Park Horse Carriage Rides After 168 Years

Central Park’s famous horse-drawn carriage rides could soon become a thing of the past.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin have agreed to support legislation that would ban horse-drawn carriages throughout the city beginning in June 2028, according to a report published by Politico on Tuesday, October 13. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal on October 22.

Mamdani, 34, and Menin’s agreement marks a major step in a fight that has lasted more than 15 years. Animal welfare advocates have pushed to end the carriage rides, particularly in Central Park, because of concerns about the safety of horses and passengers, the outlet reported.

“Horse-drawn carriages have long been part of New York City’s history, but in an increasingly busy Central Park, this tradition has become a growing public safety liability,” Menin, 59, said in a statement, per the report.

“The horse carriage industry is coming to an end in New York City,” the mayor said in a statement, per Gothamist, adding his “administration will make sure workers and owners are protected and the horses are safe.”

Horse-drawn carriage rides have been a part of Central Park’s history since the park opened in 1858, according to the Central Park Horse Carriage Rides’ official website. The park’s designer, Frederick Law Olmsted, created winding roads that allowed visitors to enjoy the scenery from carriages. By 1863, tourists could take a ride through the park for just 25 cents per person. Today, a 45-minute carriage tour costs $158.

The proposed ban gained support following the death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who was killed this summer after jumping from a carriage to help his mother when a horse suddenly began galloping, the New York Times reported. The legislation was later renamed “Romanch’s Law” in his honor.

Per Politico, the bill already has the support of more than half of the City Council’s 51 members. However, the plan has drawn strong opposition from the Transport Workers Union, which represents carriage drivers who depend on the industry for their income.

Union president John Samuelsen criticized the agreement for providing “no meaningful economic relief for workers.”

“This is disgraceful political opportunism, and Zohran should not simply go along with it, particularly when immigrant families’ livelihoods are being destroyed,” Samuelsen said, the outlet reported.

Under the proposed law, the city would establish a program to help carriage drivers find other jobs, including opportunities with public transportation agencies, sightseeing bus companies and pedicab operators, according to the article. The city would also consider financial compensation for carriage owners, although the bill does not guarantee payments.

Per the report, the legislation would also prohibit owners from selling their horses for slaughter or transferring them to another horse-drawn carriage business.

Menin also plans to establish a working group to address concerns during the industry’s phaseout, according to Politico. Both the mayor’s administration and the Transport Workers Union will be invited to participate as the city prepares for the proposed 2028 ban.