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NYC Council Votes to End Horse Carriage Tradition by 2028
· Confirmed
In Short: The New York City Council voted to ban horse-drawn carriages by June 2028, ending a nearly 170-year-old tradition.
The New York City Council voted Thursday to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park by June 2028, ending a nearly 170-year-old tradition.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin said the vote was a demonstration of the Council's commitment to animal welfare, public safety, and worker protection.
"Today, the City Council made history," Menin said in a statement following the vote.
The legislation was prompted by the death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who was thrown from a carriage and killed last June while visiting from India.
"They don't belong in an area that attracts 42 million people a year, pulling a 1,000-pound carriage in record heat," Menin added.
Christina Hansen of TWU Local 100, which represents horse carriage drivers, argued the legislation would harm both people and horses.
"They are taking away from the people that own the carriages, that have medallions like taxi medallions, that they paid 10's 100s of 1000s of dollars for," Arthur Schwartz of TWU Local 100 said.
The city will have to develop a transition plan for drivers, including helping them find jobs over the next two years.
Videos captured by onlookers show the 14-year-old horse, Ryder, lying motionless on the hot asphalt.
The doctor believed the horse may have been suffering from equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, a neurological disease caused by infected opossum droppings.
Transport Workers Union Local 100, the group that represents horse carriage drivers, says Ryder made it safely into his trailer where he was examined by an equine veterinarian.
President Donald Trump called the horse-drawn carriage rides in New York City a 'quintessential' experience, but the City Council passed legislation to phase them out.
What this adds
The ban will end a tradition that has operated in the city since 1858.
The legislation was first introduced into the council 19 years ago.
Background
Supporters of the ban argue that horse-drawn carriages have become a public safety liability in an increasingly busy Central Park.
The New York City Council voted to ban horse-drawn carriages by June 2028, ending a nearly 170-year-old tradition.
What's confirmed
- Christina Hansen of TWU Local 100 said the legislation would harm both people and horses.
- "They don't belong in an area that attracts 42 million people a year, pulling a 1,000-pound carriage in record heat," Menin said.
- Last June, 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who was visiting from India with his family to celebrate his high school graduation, was thrown from a carriage and killed.
- Horse-drawn carriages have long been a draw for tourists in Central Park.
- The New York City Council voted Thursday to ban Central Park’s storied horse-drawn carriages, a NYC tradition cherished by many but under increasing fire over the last several months over issues ranging from the safety of passengers and pedestrians to the well-being of the horses.
- Hell's Kitchen attitude, New York state of mind New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry is heading for its final trot after the City Council voted overwhelmingly this afternoon (Thursday) to ban the historic tradition, setting a June 2028 deadline that will bring closure to Hell’s Kitchen’s remaining horse stables.
- "The first bill was introduced into council 19 years ago, that fight ends today," City Council Speaker Julie Menin said ahead of the vote.
What's still developing
- All signs point to the carriage horse ban passing, but on Wednesday, the union representing horse drivers issued a letter, promising to challenge the bill's constitutionality.
- The City Council voted overwhelmingly today to abolish the Big Apple’s horse carriage industry, handing a historic win to animal rights activists who’ve pushed to end the tourist attraction for decades.
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