Full Breakdown
New York City Moves to End Central Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Industry
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: City Council to Vote on Ban
On October 22 (scheduled), the New York City Council will vote on legislation that would prohibit horse-drawn carriages from Central Park and surrounding streets. The measure enjoys the backing of Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin and follows a series of high-profile safety incidents, most notably the death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan on June 17 when a carriage horse bolted after the driver stepped away to photograph the family.
Background & Context
Horse-drawn carriages have operated in Central Park since the 1800s, when a six-mile loop was designed for rides. By the mid-20th century the city limited carriage licenses—often called “medallions”—to 68, a number that has remained static. Licenses are passed down within families and can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Animal-rights groups argue that the horses endure inhumane and unsafe conditions.
Data & Statistics
- 68 carriage licenses are currently issued in the city.
- Drivers can earn a six-figure annual income; rides cost more than $70 for a 20-minute experience, and owners who also operate the business can double that income.
- The Mahajan incident is the first documented death of a passenger in the industry’s roughly 160-year history, according to coverage.
- The bill mandates a transition plan by April and requires that horses not be sold for slaughter or transferred to other carriage operations.
Official Statements & Responses
Mayor Mamdani frames the proposal as a public-safety measure, emphasizing protection for both workers and horses. Council Speaker Menin calls the ban a “graceful” end to a historic era and notes the need to connect affected New Yorkers with new economic opportunities. The bill also calls for city-funded employment programs to assist displaced carriage workers.
Criticism & Opposition
The Transportation Workers Union (TWU), which represents carriage drivers, opposes the ban. TWU President John Samuelsen accused Menin of exploiting Mahajan’s death for political gain, calling the effort “disgraceful political opportunism.” Individual drivers have voiced similar concerns. Ahmet Bilici, a carriage owner, questioned the legality of targeting his business, saying, “I have a license issued by the city. If I'm not doing anything wrong, how can you come and attack my business?” Christina Hansen, a union shop steward, argued that the horses are “iconic” and integral to the city’s identity.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree on the bill’s key provisions but differ on the projected economic impact. While the bill outlines a transition plan and compensation program, carriage operators contend that the proposed support is insufficient, and no detailed estimates of job losses or horse-placement costs have been disclosed. Systematic data on horse injuries or welfare outcomes in the park remain limited.
What’s Next
If the Council approves the measure on October 22, the city will finalize a transition plan by April and begin implementing employment and horse-placement programs. The ban will become enforceable later, ending a practice that has been part of New York City’s landscape for more than two centuries.