New York City Poised to End 150-Year Tradition with Central Park Carriage Ban

POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — New York City is on the verge of concluding a 150-year-old tradition as the City Council prepares to vote on legislation that would phase out horse-drawn carriages in Central Park by June 2028. While the move marks a victory for animal rights advocates who have campaigned for decades, it leaves more than 150 drivers facing significant financial uncertainty.

For those whose livelihoods depend on the industry, the future remains deeply uncertain. Alexus Lawson, a 28-year-old carriage driver from Queens who previously worked as a riding instructor, expressed grave concern regarding the fate of her animals, including her 7-year-old horse, Starlight. She noted, “No one can come up with an appropriate answer because there is none,” adding, “Without a job, how can I take care of my horses?”

The legislative momentum accelerated following a tragic accident last spring that resulted in the death of a teenage tourist, reigniting long-standing debates over safety and animal welfare. The incident involved 18-year-old Indian tourist Romanch Mahajan, who died in June after jumping from a bolting carriage. His father, Deepak Mahajan, provided emotional testimony to city officials, describing how his son leaped to assist his mother after she was thrown from the vehicle, and urged the city to permanently end the practice.

Under the proposed mandate, the administration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani is required to develop a transition strategy by next April to support displaced workers. The plan aims to place drivers into roles within the taxi, hospitality, or transit sectors, while offering career placement services and potential financial assistance. A spokesperson for the mayor confirmed that City Hall is currently drafting a workforce transition scheme and discussing compensation, with Mamdani stating the city has a “civic responsibility to ensure that we are not leaving anybody out to dry.”

Veteran workers, such as 56-year-old Medet Fidan, view the impending ban as an unfair blow. Fidan, who transitioned to carriage driving 15 years ago after ride-hailing services impacted the taxi market, remarked, I think the city is leaving us a big mess. We’re going to lose our businesses, we’re going to lose our jobs, we’re going to lose our livelihoods.

While Council Speaker Julie Menin remains committed to the transition process, the industry is preparing for a legal battle. The drivers’ labor union has pledged to file a lawsuit as soon as the legislation is finalized. Christina Hansen, a veteran driver and industry spokesperson, argued that the industry should not be dismantled due to a single tragedy, stating, It does nothing for alternate employment, for the continuation of our businesses. Who’s going to pay my rent while I’m looking for a job?

Previous attempts to eliminate the carriage trade have failed under past administrations. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s efforts were thwarted by union opposition and a high-profile campaign featuring actor Liam Neeson, while former Mayor Eric Adams also saw his attempts to prohibit the carriages lose momentum late in his term. Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)