New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin have reached an agreement to phase out and outlaw the city's historic horse-drawn carriage industry. The decision marks the impending end of a centuries-old Central Park tradition that faced intense scrutiny after a teenager died in a carriage-related accident earlier this year.

Mamdani announced the agreement on social media, assuring the public that the administration would prioritize the safety of the animals while ensuring that workers and owners receive proper support. Speaker Menin stated that the City Council plans to introduce a bill making the operation of horse-drawn carriages illegal across all five boroughs starting in June 2028. The administration reviewed and approved the legislative language ahead of a scheduled council-wide vote on October 22.

Momentum for the ban accelerated following the tragic death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who was thrown from a carriage during a July incident after a horse became spooked. Supporters and city officials argued that the crowded conditions of modern Central Park have rendered the tradition an unacceptable public safety hazard. In response to the tragedy, the upcoming legislation has been formally named Romanch's Law.

The proposed bill also directs the Mamdani administration to establish a transition plan for the approximately 200 affected carriage drivers, connecting them with alternative economic opportunities. Representatives for the city, union partners, and animal welfare advocates have collaborated to ensure the transition protects workers while permanently ending the practice.

Animal welfare organizations and local advocates have long campaigned against the industry, citing instances of horses collapsing from exhaustion, enduring extreme weather conditions, and bolting through traffic. Previous legislative attempts to ban the carriages stalled in the past, but strong backing from current city leadership has positioned the current measure to pass.

Council Member Christopher Marte, the primary sponsor of the legislation, expressed confidence that the measure will successfully cross the finish line. Animal advocacy groups, including NYCLASS, also praised the leadership of both the mayor and the speaker for moving forward with what they describe as a necessary and long-overdue reform.