New York City Council, Mayor Mamdani reach deal to ban horse carriages in Central Park within 2 years: news

NYC Reaches Deal to Ban Central Park Horse Carriages Within Two Years

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council leadership have officially reached an agreement on landmark legislation to phase out and ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park by June 1, 2028. The deal aims to bring an end to a 168-year-old tourist tradition following years of intense advocacy and safety concerns.

Key Details of the Ban

• The Timeline: The legislation, known as “Romanch’s Law,” sets a firm cutoff date of June 1, 2028, effectively ending all horse-drawn carriage operations across the city within two years.

• Catalyst for Legislation: The push accelerated significantly following the tragic death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan in June 2026, after a carriage horse bolted during a park ride.

• Worker Transition Program: The measure directs the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to establish job-training and workforce development resources to support licensed carriage drivers and stable hands moving into alternative employment.

• Animal Welfare and Retirement: The city will oversee transition plans requiring the humane retirement and sanctuary placement of the working horses once operations cease.

• Next Steps: The NYC City Council holds a scheduled floor vote on the bill on October 22, 2026, where it already commands veto-proof majority support.

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