Understand
New York City Council expected to ban horse-drawn carriages by June 2028
Overview
New York City Council is expected to vote on a bill in October 2026 to outlaw horse-drawn carriages in Central Park starting in June 2028. Named Romanch's law after an 18-year-old tourist who died following a carriage accident, the legislation is supported by the council speaker and the mayor. The bill includes an industry transition framework to support affected workers, while worker groups have pushed back against the ban.
Key points
- The New York City Council is expected to vote on a bill to ban horse-drawn carriages on 22 October 2026, with the ban taking effect in June 2028.
- The legislation, named Romanch's law, follows the death of an 18-year-old tourist who fell from a carriage in Central Park earlier in the year.
- The bill has the support of Council Speaker Julie Menin, a council majority, and the mayor.
- An industry transition framework is included to provide job placement, training, career counselling, and financial compensation for affected workers.
- The Transport Workers Union has opposed the ban, arguing that the horses are treated well and that the industry employs hundreds of people.