New York City to ban horse-drawn carriages by 2028

The New York City Council has officially voted to ban horse-drawn carriages from Central Park and city streets. The legislation passed on October 22, 2026, with a vote of 40 to 51, and is set to take effect on June 1, 2028. The measure has the full support of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has signaled that this long-standing industry is reaching its end.

Support for the prohibition intensified following a tragic accident on June 17, 2026, in which 18-year-old Indian tourist Romanch Mahajan died after falling from a carriage. The incident occurred when the horse became startled while the driver was away from the vehicle. While the decision marks the conclusion of a historical tradition dating back to the 1800s, it has faced opposition, including criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who argued that accidents involving automobiles do not lead to similar bans on cars in the park.

Regarding the transition, the city administration is required to develop a professional retraining plan for the affected workers by April 2027. This decision follows years of pressure from animal rights activists who labeled the carriage industry as inhumane and unsafe.