New York City officials are preparing to vote on legislation that would end the horse‑drawn carriage rides that have operated in Central Park for more than a century. The City Council is expected to approve the measure next week, with implementation slated for June 1, 2028.
Mayor and Council Back the Transition
Mayor Zohran Mamdadi, working with Council Speaker Julie Menin, announced a “just transition” plan that aims to protect carriage drivers while removing the rides from the park. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said the administration is coordinating with union partners, drivers, animal‑welfare advocates and community leaders to develop compensation for medallion owners and a workforce‑transition strategy.
Union Opposition Highlights Worker Concerns
Alexander Kemp, administrative vice president of the Transit Workers Union Local 100, which represents roughly 160 carriage drivers, warned that the ban could jeopardize the livelihoods of many immigrant workers nearing retirement. “If you claim to have labor’s back and then vote to eliminate an entire industry, that is anti‑labor,” Kemp said. He argued the legislation was reshaped after the tragic death of 18‑year‑old Romanch Mahajan, who was thrown from a runaway carriage on June 17.
Kemp also criticized the mayor’s pro‑immigrant stance, suggesting the policy treats vulnerable workers as expendable. “You are not rooted in the politics of people,” he added.
Animal‑Welfare and Safety Arguments
Animal‑rights groups, including PETA, have long called for an end to the carriage rides, citing incidents of horse injury and death. Ashley Byrne, PETA’s Director of Outreach Communications, described the park as unsafe for horses, noting the crowded mix of pedestrians, cyclists, e‑bikes and pedicabs.
The Central Park Conservancy reported that the June 17 crash was the eighth horse‑related incident in the park over the past 13 months, underscoring safety concerns.
Details of the Proposed Bill
The legislation, renamed “Romanch’s Law” in memory of the teenager, would require city agencies to draft a transition plan for drivers and related workers by April 1, 2027. It also calls for compensation considerations for carriage owners and bans the sale of horses for slaughter or reuse in other carriage businesses. Any horses must be rehomed in a humane manner.
Mayor Mamdadi emphasized a civic responsibility to ensure no worker is left “out to dry” as the city moves forward.
Next Steps
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the bill on October 22. Supporters expect passage, while union leaders and some community members continue to voice criticism of the approach.
Fox News Digital contributed reporting to this story.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
