New York City officials announced a deal to end the horse‑drawn carriage industry, with the City Council set to vote on the bill on Oct. 22. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has signaled his support for the legislation, emphasizing worker protections and a “just transition” for those currently employed in the carriage trade.
Legislative details and timeline
The proposed ordinance would prohibit horse‑drawn carriage rides in Central Park and other city streets once it passes. It also requires the city to develop a transition plan for carriage drivers by April 2027, including job‑fair events and counseling services. The bill calls for the city to consider financial compensation for owners who invested in city‑issued medallions and related infrastructure.
Mayor’s position
Mayor Mamdani released a statement saying the administration has been working closely with the City Council, union representatives, carriage drivers, animal‑welfare advocates, and community leaders. He framed the ban as a necessary step to protect both workers and animals, noting that the city will “deliver a just transition that protects workers while ending horse‑drawn carriages in Central Park once and for all.”
Union concerns
Transport Workers Union International President John Samuelsen criticized the bill, arguing it falls short of providing meaningful economic relief. Samuelsen said the legislation “only says the city should prepare a worker transition plan by April 2027 and include weak measures like job fairs and job counseling. It says the city should ‘consider’ financial compensation for carriage owners who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy city‑issued medallions and build up their businesses.” He also accused Councilmember Zohran Mamdani of exploiting a tragic tourist death to push the ban, calling the approach “disgraceful political opportunism” that threatens immigrant families’ livelihoods.
Background and public reaction
Horse‑drawn carriages have been a tourist attraction in New York City for more than 160 years. The push to end the rides intensified after the summer death of a horse named Deniz and the fatal accident involving 18‑year‑old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who was riding with his family when a horse became spooked.
City Hall officials said they have been consulting with affected parties throughout the process. While the legislation outlines a pathway for drivers to transition out of the industry, it does not yet specify the fate of the horses themselves.
What’s next?
The City Council is expected to approve the bill on Oct. 22. If passed, the city will begin drafting the transition plan and will work with animal‑welfare groups to determine the appropriate care for the horses once the rides cease. Stakeholders on both sides of the debate will continue to monitor the implementation details as the deadline approaches.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
