- NYC horse carriage rides set to end by June 1, 2028.
- Decision come after the death of Indian boy Romanch Mahajan.
- Trump fumes over ban, calling it the end of tradition.
NYC Horse Carriage Ride Ban: New York City’s famous horse-drawn carriage rides, a tourist attraction with a history of more than 150 years, are set to end by June 1, 2028. The decision comes after the City Council voted to ban the rides on Thursday following years of debate over it. The issue had gained fresh attention after the death of 18-year-old Indian teenager Romanch Mahajan in a carriage accident in Central Park in June this year.
What Happened To Romanch Mahajan?
Romanch, who was from a business family in Pathankot, Punjab, was visiting New York with his parents and younger brother. The accident took place on June 17 during a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park. According to reports, the driver had stepped away to take a photograph when the horse suddenly ran out of control. Soon after, his mother, Priya Mahajan fell from the carriage.
Despite the opposition of Donald Trump the cruel & exploitive use of horse drawn carriages in New York will finally come to an end. Well done the Mayor of New York, New York City Council & everyone who has worked for so long to make this day happen @NYCMayor @peta https://t.co/fZ4K6KiN2i
— dominic dyer (@domdyer70) October 23, 2026
Romanch then jumped from the moving carriage to help her but suffered a serious head injury. He was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he later died. The incident had drawn widespread attention, calling for a ban on horse-drawn carriage rides over safety issues and animal abuse.
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The New York City Council on Thursday approved the ban by a vote of 40-7. The legislation will end horse-drawn carriage rides by June 1, 2028, bringing a long-running debate over the tourist attraction closer to a conclusion. The law also requires the city to prepare a transition plan for workers by April 2027. However, the Transport Workers Union has threatened legal action, arguing that the ban would harm operators who have invested in their businesses.
Trump Fumes Over Ban
US President Donald Trump also opposed the decision, saying it would remove another part of New York’s history. “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!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Tradition Dating Back To 1858
Horse-drawn carriages began operating in Central Park shortly after it opened to the public in 1858. The city officially introduced special licences for carriage stands in 1862. Over the years, these rides became a familiar sight for tourists, offering a traditional way to explore the park. A typical 45-minute ride costs around USD 150.
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