The New York City council has approved a bill to phase out horse-drawn carriage rides by June 2028, following a tragic incident involving a teenage tourist last spring. The legislation mandates Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office to devise a plan by next April to assist the remaining 150+ drivers and others in the industry in finding new employment. While the specifics of the plan are not clearly defined and lack set criteria for displaced workers, it includes job referrals, career guidance, and educational opportunities, with the possibility of compensation for those affected.
The mayor’s office is actively developing a workforce transition program and exploring potential compensation options for industry workers. A spokesperson for the mayor affirmed that the mayor will endorse the bill, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of owners and workers within the industry.
The union representing carriage drivers has pledged to legally challenge the legislation as soon as it is finalized. The initiative gained momentum following the tragic death of 18-year-old Indian tourist Romanch Mahajan, who lost his life while attempting to escape from a runaway carriage. This incident marked the first fatality involving a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park since the rides commenced.
Mahajan’s family has personally appealed for the discontinuation of the rides, sharing emotional testimony about their belief in the rides’ safety. At a recent rally, Gaurav Mahajan, the uncle of Romanch, commended the proposed ban, declaring it as a long-awaited measure of justice, alongside local legislators and animal welfare advocates.
While expressing condolences to the Mahajan family, carriage drivers argue that they are unfairly singled out due to a single tragic event. Christina Hansen, a veteran carriage driver and industry representative, voiced concerns about the lack of provisions for alternative employment and sustaining their livelihoods during the transition period.
