The New York City Council voted in October to ban horse-drawn carriages by June 2028, moving to end the nearly 170-year-old tradition. The legislation would phase out the industry by June 1, 2028, while requiring Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration to develop a transition program for more than 150 active carriage drivers and other workers. The plan would include job training, career counseling and employment referrals, although financial compensation is not guaranteed.
The move comes after years of criticism from animal rights advocates who charge that the horses are overworked, get easily scared and live in inadequate stables with drivers flouting city regulations. Horse and carriage owners have denied the claims, arguing the animals are well cared for, and the stables are up to code.
Momentum to ban the century-old attraction was renewed following the death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who was thrown from a runaway horse-drawn carriage in Central Park last summer. The Central Park Conservancy said Mahajan’s death was the ninth carriage-related incident in just over a year.
Councilman Chris Marte said last-minute negotiations helped deliver a provision outlining what will happen to the horses once the industry is phased out. The bill explicitly forbids horses to be sold or transferred for slaughter or for use in another horse-drawn business, while allowing owners to keep their animals.
According to CNN, Mamdani will designate a city agency charged with implementing the transition and offer potential jobs and training across different agencies, including the Taxi & Limousine Commission, the MTA, NYC Transit, the Port Authority and hospitality and tourism industries.
The bill now heads to Mamdani, who has expressed support for ending the industry.
Transit, the Port Authority and hospitality and tourism industries.
