New York City Moves to End Horse-drawn Carriage Rides as Trump Objects

WHO:

ABC7 New York - TWU Local 100 representative Christina Hansen said the union was “not done yet” and called the legislation a tragedy for the business, horses, and New York City.

ABC7 New York - TWU Local 100 representative Arthur Schwartz said carriage and medallion owners had paid tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for them.

CBS News - The bill is named Romanch’s Law after Romanch Mahajan, 18, who died in a carriage accident.

CBS News - Council member Christopher Marte said the council intended to “finish the job” and protect New Yorkers, visitors, workers, and animals.

CBS News - Carriage owner Francesco Riccobono said he invested $400,000 to expand his father’s business; his wife, Natalie, called for fairness, compassion, and a seat at the table.

CBS News - TWU lawyer Ben Kallos said he believed a judge would overturn the legislation.

CBS News - Council Speaker Julie Menin said the ban was needed to protect animals and public safety.

CBS News - Central Park Conservancy CEO Betsy Smith described the rides as a “serious and even fatal safety risk” to visitors, drivers, and horses.

CBS News - Animal Legal Defense Fund legislative affairs manager Kathleen Schatzmann called the vote the start of a more humane and safe approach to New York tourism.

Fox News - The New York City Council voted on the carriage ban.

Fox News - The Transport Workers Union threatened federal court action.

Newsweek - Trump criticized the vote and called horse-drawn carriages a “quintessential” experience.

NBC News - Valerie Castro reported from the scene.

WHAT:

ABC7 New York - Romanch’s Law passed with a veto-proof majority, and the vote included two exemptions.

ABC7 New York - The council’s vote was the first successful passage after different versions of the bill had failed.

ABC7 New York - Supporters said 80% of New Yorkers want horse-drawn carriage rides to end.

CBS News - The bill is headed to Mayor Zohran Mamdani for signature.

CBS News - The bill requires a transition plan for workers and owners and calls for humane placement of the horses.

CBS News - Carriage owners and their families rallied outside City Hall to oppose the plan.

Fox News - The New York City Council voted 40-7 to ban horse-drawn carriages.

Newsweek - Trump voiced displeasure with the vote.

NBC News - The New York City Council passed a bill to ban horse-drawn carriage rides.

WHERE:

CBS News - The fatal carriage accident occurred in Central Park.

Fox News - The proposed ban concerns horse-drawn carriage rides in New York City.

NBC News - The bill concerns horse-drawn carriage rides in New York City.

WHEN:

CBS News - Romanch Mahajan died in a Central Park carriage accident in June.

CBS News - Workers’ and owners’ transition plan is required in 2027.

Fox News - The ban is set to take effect by June 2028.

Fox News - The carriage tradition is nearly 170 years old.

NBC News - The article says a teenager was killed “this summer” after being thrown from a carriage.

WHY:

ABC7 New York - Julie Menin said the carriages did not belong in an area attracting 42 million people a year while pulling a 1,000-pound carriage in record heat.

CBS News - Menin cited 42 million annual Central Park visitors and accidents in which horses were spooked and broke free; she said the first City Council bill to ban the industry was introduced 19 years ago.

CBS News - Kallos said the city charter requires an economic-impact analysis and that the analysis was blank.

NBC News - The vote came after a teenager was killed after being thrown from a carriage.

HOW:

ABC7 New York - The city must develop a transition plan that helps drivers find jobs over the next two years.

ABC7 New York - TWU Local 100 said the city’s industry includes about 180 horses, roughly 150 active drivers, and 68 carriage medallions.

Fox News - The Transport Workers Union threatened to challenge the ban in federal court.

NBC News - The council’s ban was passed as a bill.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 13:17 UTC)

New York City’s Council has voted 40 to 7 to ban horse-drawn carriage rides, passing Romanch’s Law with a veto-proof majority. The bill is named for 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died in a Central Park carriage accident, and is headed to Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his signature. It requires a plan to help workers and owners transition to new livelihoods, as well as humane placement for the horses. The ban is set to take effect by June 2028, with the transition plan required in 2027. Council Speaker Julie Menin said the measure is needed to protect horses and public safety in a park that draws 42 million visitors annually. Union representatives and carriage owners oppose the legislation, citing major investments and calling for fairness. The Transport Workers Union has threatened a federal court challenge, while President Trump criticized the vote and praised the rides as a quintessential New York experience.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 12:00 UTC)

New York City’s Council has voted 40 to 7 to ban horse-drawn carriage rides, sending the bill to Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his signature. Named Romanch’s Law, it honors 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died in a Central Park carriage accident. The ban is set to take effect by June 2028, with a transition plan for workers and owners required in 2027 and humane placement for the horses. Council Speaker Julie Menin cited public safety, animal welfare and Central Park’s 42 million annual visitors. Carriage owners and relatives rallied against the measure, with owner Francesco Riccobono saying he invested $400,000 in the family business. The Transport Workers Union threatened a federal court challenge, and its lawyer said he believes a judge would overturn the law. President Trump also criticized the vote, calling carriages a quintessential experience.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 03:15 UTC)

New York City’s Council has voted 40 to 7 to ban horse-drawn carriage rides, ending a tradition that is nearly 170 years old. Named Romanch’s Law for 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died in a Central Park carriage accident, the bill is intended to protect public safety and horses. Council Speaker Julie Menin cited accidents involving spooked horses and the park’s 42 million annual visitors. The measure requires a transition plan for workers and owners in 2027, along with humane placement for the horses, and the ban is set to take effect by June 2028. Carriage owners and their families rallied against the plan, with owner Francesco Riccobono saying he invested $400,000 in his family’s business. The Transport Workers Union threatened a federal court challenge, and its lawyer said he believes a judge would overturn the law. President Trump criticized the vote, calling the carriages a quintessential experience.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 01:30 UTC)

New York City’s Council has voted 40 to 7 to ban horse-drawn carriage rides, setting up a major change for a tradition that dates back nearly 170 years. The ban is set to take effect by June 2028. The vote came after a teenager was killed this summer after being thrown from a carriage. The Transport Workers Union has threatened to challenge the ban in federal court. President Trump criticized the council’s decision, calling carriage rides a “quintessential” experience and voicing displeasure with the vote. The bill applies to horse-drawn carriage rides in New York City. Valerie Castro reported from the scene as the council approved the measure. The union’s threat means the fight over the future of the city’s carriage rides could continue in court.