The New York City Council passed Romanch’s Law, banning horse-drawn carriage rides by June 1, 2028.
The vote was 40–7 on Thursday, with two abstentions.
It now heads to Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his signature.
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“The mayor will sign this bill, and the Mamdani administration is working every day to ensure we can do so while providing the strongest possible protections for the owners and workers in this industry,” Mr. Mamdani’s office said in a statement.
The bill was heavily pushed after 18-year-old Indian tourist Romanch Mahajan died from a runaway carriage ride in Central Park in June.
“We want to make sure Romanch’s death was not in vain,” Saggar Chadha, the attorney for Romanch’s family, said. “Not just for Romanch, but so no one else is killed or injured by horse-drawn carriages in New York City.”
Under the bill, the Mamdani administration must develop a workforce transition plan by April to help more than 150 active drivers and other industry workers find new jobs. The plan must include job referrals, career counseling, hiring fairs and educational opportunities.
The city also must consider compensation, including the value of carriage businesses, licenses and equipment, but the bill does not guarantee payment.
The legislation includes provisions preventing the sale of the horses for slaughter and mandating humane placement.
The Transport Workers Union, which represents drivers and owners, and critics say the ban destroys livelihoods and deprives owners of property use.
Ben Kallos, union lawyer, said he believes a judge will overturn the legislation because the city charter’s required economic impact analysis is blank.
President Trump also publicly criticized the decision, calling the rides a “quintessential New York experience.”
“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,” he said on social media after the vote.
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