New York City’s iconic horse-drawn carriages expected to take their last trot
Carriage horses line one of the entrances to Central Park as drivers try to persuade tourists to take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the park.
By Mark Morales, Gloria Pazmino, CNN
(CNN) — New York City’s iconic Central Park horse-drawn carriage industry is nearing its end after Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin reached a deal on legislation that aims to abolish the carriage rides.
Menin is expected to bring legislation to the council floor for a vote this month, a spokesperson told CNN.
The move comes after years of criticism from animal rights advocates who charge that the horses are overworked, get easily scared and live in inadequate stables with drivers flouting city regulations. Horse and carriage owners have denied the the claims, arguing the animals are well cared for and the stables are up to code.
The death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who was killed after jumping from a runaway horse-drawn carriage in Central Park last summer, renewed calls to ban the century-old attraction. Mahajan is believed to be the first person to have died in a carriage accident since the rides were introduced more than 150 years ago, according to the industry’s labor union and the Central Park Conservancy, which manages the park.
“The tragic and preventable death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan made clear that the status quo is no longer acceptable,” Menin said in a statement. “Horse drawn carriages have long been part of New York City’s history, but in an increasingly busy Central Park, this tradition has become a growing public safety liability. Next week, the Council will take decisive action by voting on Romanch’s Law to protect New Yorkers, visitors, and the horses themselves.”
The decision to ban the practice is a blow to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the union that represents horse carriage drivers. The union for years has argued their workers will be left without a way to make a living.
In recent years, as scrutiny from critics of the industry intensified, the union has increased training and safety measures for drivers.
“We have been working closely with the City Council, union partners, carriage drivers, animal welfare advocates, and community leaders to deliver a just transition that protects workers while ending horse-drawn carriages in Central Park once and for all,” said City Hall spokesperson Sneha Choudhary in a statement.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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