# NYC Council passes Romanch’s Law to ban horse carriages > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-york-city-central-park-horse-carriage-phase-out > Updated: 2026-10-22T22:48:37.000Z. Sources: 142. Developments: 4. The New York City Council has officially passed legislation, known as ‘Romanch’s Law’, to phase out horse-drawn carriages in Central Park and across all five boroughs. The law aims to end the 150-year-old tradition by June 1, 2028. The decision follows intense pressure from animal welfare advocates regarding inhumane working conditions and physical exhaustion, as well as public outcry following the death of 18-year-old Indian tourist Romanch Mahajan. The Mahajan family had previously filed a $50 million notice of claim against the city. In a recent vote, the Council approved the measure with 40 votes in favor, seven against, and two abstentions. While the full ban will not take effect until 2028, the city will immediately cease issuing new carriage licenses. The legislation includes a transition plan intended to provide approximately 150 drivers and workers with job retraining, counseling, and potential economic compensation for their licenses. The city is mandated to develop a specific workforce transition plan by April 2027. While Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin support the measure, the move has met fierce opposition from the Transport Workers Union (TWA/TWU), which represents approximately 200 drivers and owners. The union has filed for a temporary restraining order, characterizing the ban as a ‘train wreck of constitutional and due process violations’ and has announced intentions to challenge the ban in federal court. Former President Donald Trump also criticized the ban on social media, describing the carriages as a ‘great tradition’ and a ‘piece of history’ that will be missed. To protect the animals, provisions ensure that the city’s approximately 160 carriage horses will not be sent to slaughterhouses, with advocates coordinating with equine sanctuaries to prepare for their eventual retirement. ## Claims - The New York City Council will vote on the horse carriage proposal this Thursday. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist from India, died after falling from a carriage. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Mayor Zohran Mamdani supports the end of the horse carriage industry. (corroborated by 3 sources) - PETA supports the ban on horse-drawn carriages. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Transport Workers Union International opposes the ban. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Horse-drawn carriages have operated in Central Park for over 150 years. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The New York City Council voted to ban horse-drawn carriages from city streets and Central Park. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The ban is scheduled to take effect in June 2028. (corroborated by 3 sources) - 40 out of 51 City Council members voted in favor of the ban. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Mayor Zohran Mamdani supports the ban. (corroborated by 3 sources) - An 18-year-old Indian tourist, Romanch Mahajan, died after falling from a carriage on June 17. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The city will create a workforce transition plan by April. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-22: New York City to ban Central Park horse-drawn carriages by 2028 New York City Council has approved a ban on horse-drawn carriages in Central Park by June 2028, following a fatal accident involving an 18-year-old tourist and years of animal welfare debates. 62 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-city-to-ban-central-park-horse-drawn-carriages ### 2026-10-20: New York City Council approves ban on Central Park horse-drawn carriages New York City has approved a ban on horse-drawn carriages, to be phased out by June 2028, following a fatal accident and long-standing animal welfare concerns. 35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-city-lawmakers-to-vote-on-central-park-horse-drawn-carriage-ban ### 2026-10-15: New York City plans to ban Central Park horse-drawn carriages by 2028 New York City aims to ban Central Park's horse-drawn carriages by 2028 following animal welfare concerns and a fatal accident involving a teenage tourist. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-city-plans-to-ban-central-park-horse-drawn-carriages-by-2028 ### 2026-10-13: New York City to phase out Central Park horse carriages by 2028 New York City officials have agreed to a plan to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park by June 2028, following safety concerns and animal welfare advocacy. 52 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-city-to-ban-horse-carriage-industry-following-mayoral-deal --- Cite as: NYC Council passes Romanch’s Law to ban horse carriages. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-york-city-central-park-horse-carriage-phase-out