President Donald Trump on Thursday called the horse-drawn carriage rides in New York City a "quintessential" experience as the City Council passed legislation to phase them out of Gotham.
"The Horse-drawn Carriage in New York City is a quintessential New York experience. So sad that, for political reasons, we will see it go!" Trump said on Truth Social. In another post, the president said, "So sad to see the beloved Central Park Horse-drawn Carriage Industry ending after over a Century, based largely on one tragic accident. When there is a car accident in the area, of which there are many, they don’t stop cars from entering the Park. So why would they stop the Carriages? It was a Great Tradition. Another piece of History that’s gone. It will be missed!"
The vote comes after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani agreed to support the legislation that will terminate the 160-year-old industry operating around Central Park in Manhattan.
Thursday's vote marks the most consequential development in the long-running effort to ban the tourist attraction amid fierce scrutiny surrounding the treatment of the horses, safety and conditions in which they work.
In a post last week on X, Mamdani said, "The horse carriage industry is coming to an end in New York City. Our administration will make sure workers and owners are protected and the horses are safe."
Newsweek reached out to the mayor's office via email on Thursday for additional comment.
What to Know About the Legislation
The legislation, Romanch's Law, passed by a vote of 40-7 on Thursday, ABC News reports, while two council members abstained. The law prevents new issuances of licenses for operations involving horse-drawn cabs and will phase out all carriages by June 1, 2028.
Under the law, the horses cannot be sold to slaughterhouses, ABC adds. The bill also requires the city to establish a workforce transition program, offer career counseling and referrals for new employment avenues.
Potential employers could include the Port Authority and Metropolitan Transportation Authority, along with private tourism and transportation operators.
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin said Thursday's vote was "historic."
"The @NYCCouncil just passed Romanch’s Law! Today’s historic vote marks our commitment to animal welfare, public safety, and protecting workers. Thank you to my colleagues, the advocates, and the countless New Yorkers who have worked for years to make this day possible," Menin said on X.
The law is named after 18-year-old Indian tourist Romanch Mahajan, who died after a horse-drawn carriage accident earlier this year.
“The risks associated with carriage horses are inherent: forcing horses to pull carriages through New York City’s busy, loud streets is unsafe and places an undeniable strain on their quality of life,” Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said in a released statement sent to Newsweek on Thursday. “After decades of debate, repeated accidents, incremental reforms, and renewed public concern following the tragic death of Romanch Mahajan, the New York City Council has moved beyond temporary fixes and passed Romanch’s Law—a lasting solution that protects horses, supports workers, and reflects the values of a modern city.”
“We are grateful to Council Member Marte and Speaker Menin for their leadership in passing this historic legislation, and we urge Mayor Mamdani to sign Intro. 943 into law, phasing out horse-drawn carriages while providing a responsible path forward for both the horses and the workers who depend on the industry,” Bershadker added.
Reaction to the Vote Passing Pours In
The Transport Workers Union (TWU), which represents more than 100 horse-drawn carriage drivers, protested the vote outside of City Hall on Thursday, ABC News reports.
Alexander Kemp, administrative vice president for TWU Local 100, said in a statement to the outlet following the vote, "We will see them in court."
"This bill is blatantly unconstitutional, providing nothing but a plan to draft a plan. There’s nothing concrete for hundreds of workers, carriage owners and family members who face total economic devastation," the statement continued.
Kathleen Schatzmann, strategic legislative affairs manager at the Animal Legal Defense Fund, praised the bill's passage: “Today is the start of a more humane and safe approach to New York tourism – for people and horses alike. This law responsibly and compassionately winds down the antiquated horse-drawn cab industry by prohibiting the issuance of new licenses, while pairing the phaseout with meaningful workforce support and protections for carriage horses."
Schatzmann called the bill a thoughtful and balanced approach "to long-overdue reform."
New York State Assemblymember Tony Simone thanked the City Council for passing the vote, in a released statement, adding that horse-drawn carriages are "inhumane" and carriage drivers need support to find new, good-paying jobs.
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Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins