"It Was a Must-Ride Whenever I Visited New York..." ... "Central Park Carriages" Set to Disappear After 150 Years of History

Ban Debate Gains Momentum After Tourist's Death
Mamdani and City Council Agree on Bill to Ban Carriage Operations in 2028

Horse-drawn carriages, a longtime tourist attraction in New York's Central Park, are set to disappear after more than 150 years. New York City is moving to ban them entirely following a tourist's death and mounting animal welfare concerns.

A New York Central Park horse carriage ride for up to four people. Tickets are currently available on booking platforms and other websites for $235 (about 310,000 won). Screenshot from the Tripadvisor website.

According to Bloomberg and other foreign media outlets on October 13 local time, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin have agreed on a bill to ban tourist carriages in Central Park.

The bill is scheduled for a City Council vote on October 22. It is expected to pass, as 29 of the council's 51 members have signed on as co-sponsors. If enacted, the bill would prohibit tourist carriages from operating in Central Park starting June 1, 2028.

Horse Bolts While Family Is Taking Photos... 18-Year-Old Tourist Killed

The debate over a ban was fueled by a tourist's death last June. Romanichi Mahajan, an 18-year-old Indian national, was visiting New York with his family to celebrate his high school graduation when he died while riding in a carriage in Central Park.

The driver had briefly stepped away from the carriage to take a family photo when the horse suddenly started running. The carriage overturned, causing the accident.

The incident is reportedly the first fatal accident involving a tourist carriage since they began operating in Central Park, which opened in 1858. After the accident, New York City suspended carriage operations for six days to review safety rules.

Restrictions on Horse Slaughter and Resale... Support Measures for Drivers Also Included

The bill, known as the "Romanichi Act" after the victim, includes measures to protect the horses that pull the carriages, in addition to banning their operation.

Tourists ride in a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park, New York, on October 13, 2026. New York Daily News

It would restrict the slaughter of the horses and their transfer to other carriage companies. It would also require owners to notify city authorities at least 10 business days before disposing of a horse.

Anyone caught operating a carriage after the ban takes effect would face a fine of $10,000 (about 13.36 million won). There are currently 68 carriages operating in Central Park, involving about 150 drivers and more than 180 horses.

The bill also calls for support measures for industry workers. New York City must draw up a detailed plan by April 1, 2027, to support drivers, carriage owners and others.

Central Park authorities and animal rights groups have long called for an end to carriage operations, citing safety concerns and animal welfare. Carriage operators, however, argue that their carriages pose less risk of accidents than other forms of transportation, such as e-bikes and scooters. They also oppose the ban, saying they would struggle to cover the costs of caring for the horses and relocating them to other facilities if operations were suspended.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.