New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin is expected to bring a proposed ban on horse-drawn carriages in Central Park to a vote Thursday.
The measure, called Romanch’s Law, would take effect June 1, 2028, if passed. Supporters say the delay would allow time to help carriage drivers find other work and receive job training if needed. The union representing drivers says the city should instead pay them compensation.
The proposal gained momentum after 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan died in June when he was thrown from a runaway carriage in Central Park. The Transport Workers Union has accused Menin of using the death to portray the issue as a public safety crisis. A carriage driver also raised concerns about earning a living after years in the trade.
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