New York City Council votes on banning horse carriages in Central Park

The New York City Council is preparing to vote on legislation that would outlaw horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, BBC News reported. The vote addresses animal welfare and public safety concerns surrounding the 160 year old tradition. [1][2]

Roughly 200 horse-drawn carriage drivers operate in Central Park, according to BBC News. Drivers expressed deep concern over the upcoming vote, with six year veteran driver Alexus Lawson questioning how she will support herself and maintain the health of her horse if the ban takes effect. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, City Council leaders and Mayor Zohran Mamdani reached a deal on the bill, known as Romanch's Law, to phase out the carriages completely by June 1, 2028. The proposed law is named after 18 year old Romanch Mahajan, who died from injuries sustained in a carriage incident. Mayor Mamdani's transition proposal provides no direct financial payouts to carriage workers. [2]