New York City plans to ban Central Park horse-drawn carriages by 2028

New York City officials have reached an agreement to phase out horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park, aiming to end the 150-year-old tradition by June 2028. The proposal, brokered between Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin, is expected to face a City Council vote next week.

The push for a ban follows decades of pressure from animal welfare activists regarding horse safety in heavy urban traffic. The debate was recently intensified by the death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, a tourist from India, who died after jumping from a runaway carriage last spring. This incident was reported as the first fatality involving a carriage accident in the park.

To address the impact on workers who rely on the industry for their livelihoods, the agreement includes provisions for a gradual transition and support for those affected. While the measure is not yet final and requires legislative approval, officials indicate there is sufficient support for the bill to pass.