New York City lawmakers are moving to ban horse-drawn carriages from Central Park, signaling the end of a 150-year tradition that has long been a staple of Manhattan tourism.
The City Council is expected to vote next week on legislation that would phase out the industry entirely by 2028. The legislative push gained critical momentum following the death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, a tourist from India who died last spring. Mahajan was killed after jumping from a runaway carriage to assist his mother, who had been thrown from the vehicle when the horse bolted.
The incident is believed to be the first fatality involving a horse carriage in the history of Central Park. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday that his office reached an agreement on the bill with Council Speaker Julie Menin. “The horse carriage industry is coming to an end in New York City,” Mamdani said in a social media post, ending years of political stalemate over the issue. Previous attempts to ban the carriages by three consecutive mayors were stalled by labor concerns and legislative opposition.
However, the Mahajan family’s persistent advocacy, including emotional testimony via video link from India, shifted the political tide. Deepak Mahajan, the victim’s father, told council members that his family remains shattered by the loss. Animal welfare advocates have campaigned for decades against the industry, arguing that forcing horses to navigate dense traffic and crowded park roads is inhumane.
Speaker Menin echoed these concerns, stating that while the carriages are part of the city’s history, they have become a “growing public safety liability” in the modern era. The industry has strong defenders who point to the carriage rides as a cinematic icon of New York heritage. The carriages have been featured in classic films such as “The Band Wagon,” “Barefoot in the Park” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.”
Drivers like Conor McHugh argue that tourists travel from all over the world specifically for the experience. Labor leaders have voiced sharp opposition to the ban. Transport Workers Union International President John Samuelsen called the legislation “disgraceful political opportunism” and argued it provides no meaningful economic protection for workers.
The bill does, however, require the mayor’s office to develop a workforce transition plan and prohibits owners from selling retired horses to slaughterhouses. As the city prepares for the final vote, the transition plan will focus on providing financial compensation for affected drivers and ensuring that the horses are placed in humane environments.
The 2028 deadline is intended to give the industry time to wind down operations while addressing the displacement of immigrant families whose livelihoods depend on the trade.
