New York City’s Council has voted to ban horse-drawn carriages, bringing an end to a tourist attraction that has operated for more than 150 years.
The legislation was approved by 40 votes to seven, with two council members abstaining, and will take effect on June 1, 2028.
The ban will prohibit horse-drawn carriages across all five boroughs of New York City, including the famous Central Park, where the rides have remained a popular attraction for generations.
The decision follows years of debate over animal welfare and public safety, with campaigners raising concerns about the treatment of horses and the risks associated with operating carriages in busy city streets.
The debate gained fresh momentum following the death of an 18-year-old tourist, Romanch Mahajan, in June 2026. He died after being thrown from a runaway horse-drawn carriage in Central Park.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin supported the legislation, arguing that the ban would improve public safety and protect the horses.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from carriage operators and their unions, who fear losing their livelihoods after years in the industry.
The legislation provides for a transition plan to help affected drivers and other workers find alternative employment. It also requires measures to ensure the humane treatment of the horses, prohibiting their sale for slaughter or transfer to other carriage businesses.
The planned ban marks a significant change for New York City, where horse-drawn carriages have been part of the tourism industry since the nineteenth century.
The phase-out is expected to take effect in June 2028.
