New York City Council votes 40-7 to ban Central Park horse-drawn carriages by June 2028
In short
The New York City Council voted 40-7, with two abstentions, to ban horse-drawn carriages, ending a Central Park tradition of more than 150 years. The ban takes hold on June 1, 2028. The New York Post reported that carriage workers pledged a lawsuit over the lack of compensation, and a second Post headline said the union had sued.
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The New York City Council voted to ban horse-drawn carriages, ending a Central Park tradition that ABC News, CNN and the New York Post describe as more than 150 years old. Politico reported that the bill passed with 40 yays, 7 nays and 2 abstentions. The New York Post called the vote veto-proof and said a last-minute attempt to amend the bill and push the ban back to 2030 failed to stop it. [ 3 , 4 , 7 , 12 ]
The ban takes hold on June 1, 2028, and outlaws horse-drawn carriages across all five boroughs, the Post reported. Politico said the carriage drivers can continue operating until then. Politico and the Post put the number of drivers at roughly or about 200, while ABC News and CNN cited more than 150 remaining drivers. [ 3 , 4 , 7 , 12 ]
Council Speaker Julie Menin told reporters before the vote that the June death of Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old Indian tourist, was the last straw, Politico reported. She also cited a long record of horses dying in the streets. The Post reported that Mahajan was thrown from the carriage and died when a horse carrying his family got spooked and bolted, and that the ban was named Romanch's Law after him. [ 7 , 10 , 12 ]
ABC News and CNN reported that the legislation requires Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office to develop a plan by next April to help the remaining drivers find other work, with career counseling and referrals for openings in the city's transit, hospitality and taxi industries. A mayoral spokesperson said City Hall has started discussions on potential compensation. Politico reported that Mamdani initially withheld support over labor protection concerns and got behind the measure earlier this month. [ 3 , 4 , 7 ]
Drivers quoted by ABC News and CNN said they did not know what comes next. Alexus Lawson, 28, said she worries about her horses without a job. Medet Fidan, 56, a former cab driver, said, "We're going to lose our businesses, we're going to lose our jobs, we're going to lose our livelihoods." [ 3 , 4 ]
The New York Post reported that carriage industry workers pledged to sue, citing the lack of monetary compensation in the bill. Transport Workers Union president John Samuelsen said in a statement: "This bill is a train wreck of constitutional and due process violations." A second Post headline said the union sued moments after the vote. The New York Times said the bill will likely face a court challenge before being implemented in 2028. [ 10 , 12 , 13 ]
Why it matters
Roughly 150 to 200 carriage drivers face the loss of their work, and outlets report that the city's plan to help them is not yet worked out. The New York Times said the bill will likely face a court challenge before it is implemented in 2028.
Key facts
- The New York City Council voted 40 to 7, with 2 abstentions, to ban horse-drawn carriages. [ 7 , 12 ]
- The ban takes hold on June 1, 2028, and covers all five boroughs, the New York Post reported. [ 12 ]
- The death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who was thrown from a carriage, drove the push for the ban. [ 7 , 10 , 12 ]
- The legislation requires Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office to develop a plan by next April to help the remaining drivers find other work. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Transport Workers Union president John Samuelsen called the bill a violation of constitutional and due process rights. [ 12 ]
- Mamdani initially withheld support over labor protection concerns and backed the bill earlier this month, Politico reported. [ 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The New York City Council voted to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city. [ 4 , 7 , 11 , 12 ]
- The ban is due to take effect by June 2028. [ 3 , 4 , 7 , 12 ]
- The vote was 40 in favour, 7 against and 2 abstentions. [ 7 , 12 ]
- The death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who was thrown from a carriage, spurred the ban. [ 7 , 10 , 12 ]
Still unclear
- How many drivers are affected. ABC News and CNN say more than 150 remaining drivers; Politico says roughly 200 and the New York Post says about 200.
- Whether drivers will receive compensation. ABC News and CNN say the legislation anticipates or allows the administration to consider compensation and that City Hall has started discussions; the New York Post says the bill includes no monetary compensation.
- Whether the union has already filed its lawsuit. The New York Post article says workers pledged to file a suit, while another New York Post headline says the union sued moments after the vote; the New York Times says a court challenge is likely.
- The legislation requires Mayor Mamdani's office to develop a plan by next April to help drivers find other work, including referrals in transit, hospitality and taxi jobs. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- ABC News publishes a report saying the Council is expected to pass the ban on Thursday. [ 3 ]
- Politico reports the Council voted overwhelmingly to abolish the carriage industry. [ 7 ]
- The New York Times reports the Council is set to ban carriages and the bill will likely face a court challenge. [ 10 ]
- Bloomberg reports the Council voted to ban horse-drawn carriages by 2028. [ 11 ]
- The New York Post reports the 40-7 veto-proof vote and the workers' pledge to sue. [ 12 ]
- The New York Post reports that the horse carriage union sued the city moments after the vote. [ 13 ]