NYC Council Passes Horse Carriage Ban, Ending Central Park Industry by 2028

The New York City Council voted on Thursday, October 22, to approve Romanch's Law — legislation that will end the city's horse-drawn carriage industry by June 1, 2028. The bill is named for an 18-year-old tourist who died after being thrown from a runaway carriage in Central Park in June 2026. The legislation was brokered by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin, with tweaks added to include relief measures for industry workers and medallion owners. The Council's Finance Committee considered it at 10:30 a.m., followed by a full Council vote at 1:30 p.m. Competing rallies by supporters and opponents were held outside City Hall beforehand. The Transport Workers Union, representing many carriage drivers, strongly opposed the bill, calling it lacking in meaningful economic relief and threatening immediate legal action, arguing the ban is unconstitutional. Carriage operators also vowed to fight in court. The bill had more than enough sponsor support, well above the 26 votes needed. The carriage horse industry has operated in Central Park for over a century and employed dozens of drivers. Mayor Mamdani was expected to sign the bill into law.