New York City Council has approved a bill to ban horse-drawn carriage rides in the city by June 2028, bringing an end to an industry that has operated in Central Park for more than 160 years.
The legislation, known as Romanch’s Law, is named after 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died during a carriage accident in Central Park in June. It will now go to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose office said he would sign it.
“We want to make sure Romanch’s death was not in vain,” Saggar Chadha, an attorney for the Mahajan family, said. “Not just for Romanch, but so no one else is killed or injured by horse-drawn carriages in New York City.”
Mamdani’s office said the administration was working to provide “the strongest possible protections” for carriage owners and workers as the ban is implemented.
Horse-drawn carriage ban to include transition plan
The bill requires a transition plan for owners and workers to be prepared in 2027. It also calls for the humane placement of the horses.
Christopher Marte, a council member, said before the vote: “With a majority of the Council behind us, we have a historic opportunity to protect New Yorkers, visitors, workers, and animals, and we intend to finish the job.”
Council Speaker Julie Menin said the ban was necessary because horse-drawn carriages operated in a crowded area visited by 42 million people each year.
“We’ve had numerous accidents that have happened where horses have been spooked; they’ve broken free,” she told NY1. Ms Menin said the council had first introduced a bill to ban the industry 19 years ago.
Owners and their families have opposed the legislation, arguing that it does not provide enough protection for their businesses. They held demonstrations outside City Hall on Wednesday and Thursday.
Francesco Riccobono, a carriage owner, said: “I invested $400,000 two years ago to expand my father’s dream, and you’re coming here to steal it.”
His wife, Natalie, said: “We are asking for fairness. We are asking for compassion. We are asking for a seat at the table.”
The Transport Workers Union said it was prepared to challenge the ban in federal court. Its lawyer, Ben Kallos, argued that the city had not properly assessed the economic impact of the legislation and said he believed a judge would overturn it.
President Donald Trump described the planned end of the industry as “sad” and argued that the decision had been driven by a single tragic accident.
“When there is a car accident in the area, of which there are many, they don’t stop cars from entering the Park. So why would they stop the carriages?” he said. “It was a great tradition. Another piece of history that’s gone. It will be missed.”
Supporters of the bill said the carriage rides posed a serious risk to visitors, drivers and horses. Betsy Smith, chief executive of the Central Park Conservancy, said the organisation’s “hearts break” for Mr Mahajan’s family.
Kathleen Schatzmann of the Animal Legal Defense Fund called the vote the beginning of a safer and more humane approach to tourism in New York, with support for workers and protections for the horses.
