Mamdani Plans to Sign Central Park Carriage Horse Ban
Mamdani heard from carriage workers, industry representatives and animal-welfare advocates at a City Hall hearing on November 4. The City Council passed Romanch’s Law by a 40-7 vote last month. Named for 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who died after being thrown from a carriage pulled by a bolting horse in June, the law would phase out the industry by 2028. Mamdani said after the hearing that he intends to sign it.
Workers urged the mayor to veto the measure, saying it would take away their jobs and the horses, carriages and medallions they had invested in. Some disputed claims that the horses are mistreated or that the carriages pose a danger to the public. A union representative also said the law was unconstitutional; the union plans to sue after it is signed.
Supporters said the ban would protect animals and people. Speakers opposing the industry pointed to horses that have collapsed and died while working, including Deniz in May and Ryder in 2022. Industry proponents countered that horses receive medical care, regulated hours and annual vacation time, and described Mahajan’s death as an anomaly.
Mamdani said he respected workers and had heard their concerns during a visit to the Central Park stables on November 3. He pledged to pursue a fair transition for them. The law requires the administration to develop a worker-transition program, with the plan due to the mayor and Council by April. It must include job referrals, career counseling and training; officials must also consider compensation for medallion owners. The union says those provisions are not meaningful protections.
Mamdani Should End a Dangerous Carriage Industry
Romanch’s Law puts an end date on an industry that has seen horses collapse and die while working, as well as incidents involving animals bolting through the park or into traffic. At a November 4 hearing, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he still plans to sign the measure, which the City Council approved by a 40-7 vote last month.
The law is named for 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died in June after being thrown from a carriage pulled by a bolting horse. Supporters at City Hall said the ban would protect animals and the public. Their case is not erased by industry claims that horses are well cared for or that Mahajan’s death was an anomaly.
Workers warned that the ban would cost them their livelihoods and investments in horses, carriages and medallions. Mamdani said he respects them and promised to work toward a fair transition. The administration must develop a program with employment referrals, career counseling and job training, and submit its plan to the mayor and Council by April.
The law also requires officials to consider compensation for medallion owners. The workers’ union says these measures fall short and plans to challenge the law in court after it is signed. The city now has a responsibility to carry out the phaseout while addressing workers’ transition concerns.
Carriage Workers Face Lost Livelihoods Under City Ban
New York City is moving to eliminate a longstanding carriage industry, despite workers’ objections that they will lose their livelihoods and investments. At a November 4 City Hall hearing, carriage drivers and industry representatives asked Mayor Zohran Mamdani to veto Romanch’s Law. He said he intends to sign it.
The City Council passed the bill 40-7 last month. It is named for tourist Romanch Mahajan, who died in June after being thrown from a carriage pulled by a bolting horse. Industry speakers disputed claims that carriage horses are mistreated or pose a public danger, and argued that Mahajan’s death was an anomaly. A union representative called the bill unconstitutional and said the union plans to sue once it becomes law.
The ban would end the industry by 2028, putting drivers’ jobs and their investments in horses, carriages and medallions at stake. Mamdani said he respects the workers and has heard their concerns, but his promise of a transition does not undo the loss they describe.
The administration must prepare a worker-transition program and submit it to the mayor and Council by April. It must include job referrals, career counseling and training, while officials are required only to consider compensation for medallion owners. The union says those provisions do not provide meaningful protection.
Reported by CBS New York, amNY, New York Post.
