NYC passes bill to ban horse-drawn carriages; Central Park’s drivers fear for their future

Key Points:

• New York City Council has passed a bill to ban horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park by June 2028, ending a tradition that lasted over 150 years amid animal welfare concerns and following a tourist's fatal accident last year.
• The legislation mandates Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office to create a workforce transition plan by April, including career counseling, job referrals, and possible compensation for the more than 150 affected carriage drivers.
• Carriage drivers express uncertainty and worry about their future livelihoods, with some viewing the ban as unfair and feeling targeted, while the drivers' union plans to legally challenge the law.
• The ban has support from animal welfare advocates and the family of the deceased tourist, who see it as a necessary safety and ethical measure, while former President Donald Trump criticized the ban as the loss of a cherished New York tradition.
• Previous mayoral administrations attempted to end the carriage rides but faced opposition, making the current legislation the most definitive step toward ending the industry in Central Park.