New York City to ban horse-drawn carriages from Central Park by 2028

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 11:21 · Archive

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin have agreed to end horse-drawn carriages in Central Park by June 2028.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin have agreed to ban horse-drawn carriages from Central Park, with the ban beginning June 1, 2028, if approved by the City Council on October 22. The legislation, known as Romanch's Law, is named after 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died after suffering fatal injuries in a horse-drawn carriage crash in June.

Menin said the ban would end a centuries-old practice that has become a public safety liability in an increasingly busy Central Park. The speaker noted that the legislation will require the Mamdani administration to develop a plan to connect the city's roughly 200 laid-off carriage drivers with new economic opportunities, though financial compensation is not guaranteed.

Mamdani's administration said it has been working with the City Council, union partners, carriage drivers, animal welfare advocates and community leaders on a transition plan that protects workers. Animal rights group PETA and the Central Park Conservancy both welcomed the agreement, citing concerns about animal welfare and public safety.

How it is being reported

• Mamdani, City Council move to end iconic NYC horse-drawn carriage industry as workers face uncertain futureRomanch's Law would phase out Central Park horse-drawn carriages by 2028, but Mayor Zohran Mamdani's transition plan guarantees no financial payouts.Fox News · 14 Oct, 11:00
• NYC Central Park’s horse-drawn carriages to be banned under new Mamdani dealThe move would end a centuries-old practice and Central Park tradition that has recently drawn scrutiny over safety concerns.New York Post · 13 Oct, 20:32

In this story: Zohran Mamdani · Julie Menin · Romanch Mahajan · Central Park · New York City · PETA · Central Park Conservancy

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