Full Breakdown
New York City Council Moves to End Central Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides by 2028
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Context
The horse-drawn carriage industry has operated in Central Park for more than a century and a half, drawing tourists while attracting criticism from animal-welfare advocates. The death of 18-year-old Indian tourist Romanch Mahajan on June 17 after a carriage horse bolted revived calls for a ban. Mahajan’s family has pursued a $50 million claim against the city and urged a permanent prohibition.
Timeline
- June 17 – Mahajan is fatally thrown from a runaway carriage.
- October 13 2026 – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani publicly supports ending the industry and promises a transition plan for workers.
- October 22 2026 – City Council is slated to vote on the legislation, “Romanch’s Law.”
- June 1 2028 – The ban would take effect, ending issuance of new carriage-horse licenses and prohibiting rides.
Data and Statistics
- The industry employs roughly 150-200 drivers.
- The city issues 68 carriage-horse medallions, each bought for several hundred thousand dollars.
- Drivers’ annual earnings are reported between $65,000 and $85,000.
- Horses cost owners between $4,000 and $15,000 each.
Official Statements & Responses
Mayor Mamdani’s administration will draft a transition plan by April 2027, offering job-referral services in transit, hospitality and taxi sectors and exploring compensation for lost medallion value.
Council Member Christopher Marte emphasized public-safety concerns, stating that the city must prevent another incident like Mahajan’s.
Criticism & Opposition
The Transport Workers Union (TWU), representing drivers, will file a constitutional challenge, arguing the bill violates the Fifth Amendment by depriving owners of “just compensation” for medallions and equipment. Union president John Samuelsen contended that the legislation offers “nothing concrete for blue-collar drivers.”
Drivers such as Medet Fidan warn that the transition plan lacks financial guarantees, leaving families dependent on the industry facing “a big financial crisis.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think the city is leaving us a big mess,” — Medet Fidan
- “This bill is a train wreck of constitutional and due process violations,” — John Samuelsen
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number of drivers: ABC News cites “more than 150,” while the BBC mentions “roughly 200.” No source provides a definitive estimate of how many horses will require humane placement, nor an exact compensation formula for medallion owners.
What’s Next
If passed on October 22 2026, the legislation will become law with a June 1 2028 effective date. The mayor’s office must deliver a detailed transition plan by April 2027, and the TWU has indicated it will seek a temporary restraining order once the bill is signed. The outcome will determine the future of Central Park’s carriage rides, the livelihoods of its drivers, and the welfare of the horses currently in service.