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Facing a ban on horse-drawn carriages, Central Park’s drivers fear for their livelihoods
CNN • • nation
Key Points:
- New York City plans to ban horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park by June 2028, ending a 150-year-old tradition following the death of a tourist last spring and long-standing animal welfare concerns.
- The city council's bill requires Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office to create a transition plan by April to help over 150 carriage drivers find new employment, including job referrals, career counseling, and potential compensation.
- Carriage drivers, many of whom rely on the industry for their livelihood, express uncertainty and fear about their future, with some vowing legal challenges against the ban.
- Previous mayors Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams also attempted to end the carriage rides but faced strong opposition from unions and public backlash.
- The ban gained momentum after an 18-year-old tourist died in a runaway carriage accident, prompting calls from the victim’s family and activists to end the rides for safety and animal welfare reasons.
