NYC’s horse carriage drivers say they feel betrayed as lawmakers set to abolish industry

Key Points:

• New York City Council is set to pass legislation to phase out Central Park’s horse carriage industry by spring 2028, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani expected to sign the bill, ending over 160 years of operation.
• Animal rights activists argue the carriage horses face inhumane conditions navigating traffic-filled Manhattan streets, while drivers claim the industry is a vital part of the city’s tourism and accuse real estate interests of pushing the ban.
• The push for the ban gained momentum after the death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan in a carriage accident and the collapse of a carriage horse in Central Park, prompting renewed political support for the legislation.
• The roughly 200 people employed by the carriage industry face uncertainty about their future employment, with Mayor Mamdani pledging support but no detailed plans yet announced, leading to feelings of betrayal among drivers.
• Public opinion among tourists is divided, with some viewing carriage rides as an iconic New York experience, while others prioritize animal welfare, reflecting the ongoing debate over the industry’s future.