New York City has moved closer to ending its iconic horse-drawn carriage rides after the City Council voted overwhelmingly to prohibit the practice, following a fatal accident involving 18-year-old Indian tourist Romanch Mahajan.
The bill received 40 votes in favour and seven against, while two council members abstained. If implemented as planned, the ban will take effect in June 2028, bringing a potential end to a long-standing tourist attraction that has also faced concerns over animal welfare and public safety.
For Mahajan’s family, the debate carries a deeply personal meaning. What began as a family holiday in New York turned into a tragedy that has now become part of the wider discussion over the future of horse-drawn carriages in the city.
Family Holiday Turns Into Tragedy
Mahajan was enjoying a horse-drawn carriage ride with his parents and younger brother when the incident occurred on June 17. According to the account of the incident, the carriage driver stepped away to take a photograph of the family when the horse suddenly bolted, sending the carriage out of control.
Amid the chaos, Mahajan’s mother fell from the moving carriage. In an attempt to save her, the teenager reportedly tried to help but also fell, sustaining a severe head injury. The runaway carriage subsequently collided with another carriage and overturned.
Mahajan was rushed to hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
His father recalled hearing desperate cries for help during the incident and described how his son had put himself at risk while trying to protect his mother. The family outing, which was meant to be a memorable holiday experience, ended in an irreparable loss.
The teenager’s death intensified calls for the city to reconsider whether horse-drawn carriage rides should continue operating on its streets.
Mamdani Backs the Proposed Ban as Trump Objects
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has supported the proposed phase-out, which would bring the carriage trade to an end under a planned transition process.
US President Donald Trump, however, has criticised the move. He has defended the carriages as part of New York’s cultural heritage and questioned why they should be prohibited while motor vehicles are still permitted in Central Park, where road accidents also occur.
The opposing positions highlight the difficult choices facing city officials: whether to preserve a familiar part of the tourism industry or prioritise concerns about passenger safety and the welfare of the animals involved.
What Happens to the Drivers and Horses?
Ending the industry would affect more than the tourist experience. Carriage operators and drivers would also face the loss of their existing source of income.
Under the proposed measure, the city must prepare a plan for helping affected workers by April and examine the possibility of compensating carriage operators.
The future of the horses is another central consideration. The legislation calls for arrangements to be made for the animals after the industry closes and prohibits their slaughter.
These measures are intended to address the practical consequences of shutting down a business that has operated as part of the city’s tourism sector for generations.
Workers’ Union Prepares to Challenge the Move
The proposed ban has met resistance from the Transport Workers Union, which represents people involved in the carriage business.
The union has indicated that it will seek a temporary restraining order once the legislation is enacted, potentially asking a court to prevent the city from implementing the prohibition while the dispute is considered.
In a letter to New York City Corporation Counsel Steve Banks, the union argued that the measure would strip operators of the ability to earn from property they legally use for their business. It also described the proposal as an unprecedented attempt to eliminate a profession that the city had previously licensed.
Any court proceedings could complicate the city’s efforts to meet the proposed 2028 deadline.
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