NYC votes to end nearly 170-year-old horse carriage tradition as Trump blasts ban, drivers threaten lawsuit
The Transport Workers Union threatened federal court action after the New York City Council voted 40-7 to ban horse-drawn carriages by June 2028.
TL;DR
- New York City Council voted 40-7 to ban horse-drawn carriages by June 2028.
- The ban, named Romanch's Law, is in response to the death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan.
- A transition program for over 150 carriage drivers will be developed, including job training and career counseling.
- President Donald Trump criticized the ban as a political move that will eliminate a "quintessential New York experience."
- The Transport Workers Union threatened legal action, including a temporary restraining order, and accused the City Council Speaker of insufficient consultation.
- Opponents argued that a concrete financial plan for drivers and owners was not established.
- PETA and the Central Park Conservancy celebrated the vote, citing safety risks and the well-being of horses.
- The legislation includes protections to prevent retired carriage horses from being sold for slaughter.