New York City will ban horse-drawn carriages by June 1, 2028, under a bill announced by City Council Speaker Julie Menin. The legislation, dubbed Romanch’s Law, follows years of political debate and a series of violent incidents in Central Park, including the summer death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan.
The City Council scheduled a vote on the measure for October 22, 2026. If passed, the legislation will halt the issuance of new operating licenses for horse-drawn cabs and phase out the trade entirely over the next two years.
Romanch’s Law Targets Central Park Safety After Fatal Mishap
The bill gained legislative momentum following the death of Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist from India. Investigators reported that Mahajan died after a carriage horse grew out of control while his family remained inside. The carriage clipped the wheel of another vehicle and toppled over.
The incident marked the ninth violent mishap involving horse-drawn carriages in Central Park over a 13-month span, according to figures from the Central Park Conservancy. Those prior incidents included horses collapsing with drivers and passengers onboard, as well as a June 17, 2026, accident where an 18-year-old man fell from a carriage and was transported to NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in critical condition, according to the NYPD.
Politico NY first reported the speaker’s announcement.
Workforce Transition Program and Slaughterhouse Protections Included
The legislation addresses the future of both the carriage workers and the animals. Under the bill, operators are prohibited from selling carriage horses to slaughterhouses.
The measure also establishes a workforce transition program for unionized carriage drivers. The program provides job placement, training, career counseling, and financial compensation.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated in the summer that he supported the spirit of the bill while emphasizing the need for stronger worker protections. A source with knowledge of the city’s enforcement strategy told ABC News that the mayor’s office has collaborated on a detailed transition plan for the workers.
Previous efforts by former mayors Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams, alongside animal advocates and the Central Park Conservancy, failed to secure enough votes in the City Council to enact a ban.
Transport Workers Union Criticizes Disgraceful Political Opportunism
The Transport Workers Union, which represents the carriage drivers, strongly opposes the ban. Union representatives argued that the measure destroys the livelihoods of immigrant families and that enhanced training and safety regulations could prevent future accidents instead of eliminating jobs.
The union previously stated it would evaluate legal options if a carriage ban were enacted.
The City Council vote on October 22, 2026, will determine whether the phase-out proceeds toward the June 1, 2028 deadline.
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