New York City votes to ban horse-drawn carriages starting in 2028
Why it matters: The measure follows an 18-year-old tourist's death and gives about 200 drivers two years to shift out of the trade.
New York City lawmakers voted Thursday to end horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park and elsewhere in Manhattan beginning in June 2028, reviving a long-running fight over animal welfare and public safety. The bill, backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, was named Romanch's Law after Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist from India who died in June after falling from a carriage when a horse bolted. Supporters cited horse deaths and repeated carriage incidents, while drivers argued their animals are well cared for and warned the ban will wipe out livelihoods. Roughly 200 drivers work in the industry, and city officials have promised a transition plan.