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Council OKs bill to end horse carriage industry in NYC
Gothamist • • nation
Key Points:
- The New York City Council voted 40-7 to pass Romanch’s Law, which will phase out the city’s horse carriage industry by June 2028 following the death of a tourist in a carriage accident.
- The legislation mandates humane treatment for the horses after the phase-out and requires the mayor to develop a transition plan for affected workers, including career counseling and job referrals.
- The bill has strong support from animal rights advocates and city officials, but faces opposition from the Transport Workers Union Local 100 and carriage drivers who feel unfairly forced out of business.
- The issue has been contentious for years, gaining renewed attention after the fatal accident involving 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, which advocates say highlights safety concerns.
- Former President Donald Trump criticized the law on social media, calling it a loss of tradition and questioning why carriages are being banned when car accidents in Central Park are not addressed similarly.
