New York City Council expected to vote on Central Park carriage ban by 2028

New York City Council was expected to vote later on a bill that would ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park from June 1, 2028. The measure, known as Romash's Law, is sponsored by Council member Christopher Marte, who represents District 1 in Lower Manhattan. It is backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has said he will help develop a transition plan for workers in the industry.

Speaking before the vote, Marte said the carriage trade belongs to a different era. He argued that Central Park is now used for concerts, running, cycling and e-bikes, and that carriages add unsafe conditions for horses and people. He cited the death of a teenager this summer when a carriage tipped over, saying the bill is named after him. He also cited repeated incidents, including horses collapsing in Times Square, a driver taken away on a stretcher after a carriage flipped, and a horse dying in Central Park.

Drivers and their union oppose the ban. The coverage said they argue it would destroy livelihoods, that the industry is already regulated, and that stronger safety rules would be better than a full ban. Several drivers have said they did not want new jobs and disputed claims that their horses are mistreated.

Under the bill, horses could not be sold to a slaughterhouse or to another horse carriage business. Marte said the city has been working with about a dozen nearby sanctuaries willing to take the horses and provide medical care. He said the 2028 start date allows a year and a half transition so workers can move to second careers with financial support from the city and horses can move to rural settings.

The vote was still ahead when the interview took place. No result was reported in the coverage.