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New York mayor, council speaker reach deal to end Central Park horse carriages after 150 years
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin agreed on October 13 on legislation to end horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park, closing a 150-year-old tradition. The Council votes October 22; if approved, carriages would be phased out by June 1, 2028.
Why it matters
Central Park carriages are among New York's most iconic tourist symbols, and animal-rights advocates have sought a ban for more than a century. Agreement between the mayor and the speaker makes passage all but certain, marking a historic change to the city's streets and tourism landscape.
Full report
According to Politico and other outlets reporting on October 13, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin have agreed on legislation ending horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park. The 51-member Council is due to vote on October 22, and Menin said she expects enough support to pass, even enough to override a veto.
The amended bill adds worker protections: city agencies selected by the mayor must submit a plan by April 1, 2027 to help drivers, owners and stable employees transition, which may include financial support. The bill requires the city to consider compensating carriage owners but does not guarantee payouts.
It also strengthens protections for horses: owners may not sell or transfer licensed horses to other carriage businesses or for slaughter, and must notify the Health Department and the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare at least 10 days before disposing of a horse. Operating after the ban could draw penalties of $10,000.
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