The future of one of New York City’s oldest traditions is currently hanging in the balance.
The debate over whether to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park has officially returned to City Hall, and locals are heavily divided on what should happen next.
Following a tragic accident in June involving an 18-year-old tourist, lawmakers are taking a hard look at the safety of the industry. The incident has sparked a renewed, impassioned push from activists and city officials to retire the 150-year-old tourist trade.
What is Romanch’s Law?
Introduced by Councilmember Christopher Marte, the new legislative proposal is named “Romanch’s Law” in memory of the victim. If passed, the bill would completely phase out the horse-drawn carriage industry by June 1, 2028.
Under this legislation, the city would stop renewing or issuing new licenses to operators. It also requires the city to establish a workforce development program to help the approximately 200 licensed carriage drivers transition into new careers.
The push for a ban is gaining serious momentum among city leadership. NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin recently threw her support behind the bill. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated he supports the spirit of the proposal, though he emphasized the need for stronger protections to ensure a just transition for the workers.
The Central Park Conservancy is also backing the ban, arguing that the park’s roads are now teeming with joggers, cyclists, and scooters, making it unsafe for half-ton horses to share the space.
The push to save the industry
On the other side of the aisle, carriage drivers and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 are fiercely fighting to save their livelihoods.
These drivers operate much like taxi drivers, owning medallions to work in the city, and many fear that alternative hospitality jobs simply won’t replace their current careers. The union argues that the carriages are a beloved, historic part of New York and that an outright ban is the wrong approach.
Instead of elimination, union leaders are supporting an alternative proposal from Councilmember James Gennaro. This competing bill would keep the carriages but introduce strict new regulations.
It would amend the morning operating hours and require the installation of hitching posts throughout the park to keep horses properly secured while stopped.
What happens next?
The City Council’s Health Committee recently heard hours of emotional testimony from both sides of the aisle. Moving forward, that panel will decide on a future date whether to send the bill to the floor for a full vote.
For now, the 68 horse-drawn carriages will continue to operate, but their long-term future in NYC is more uncertain than ever.