New York City's horse-drawn carriage industry is set to disappear by mid-2028 under a bill passed by the City Council. The legislation provides for a gradual phaseout, bringing to a close a business with a history stretching back more than 165 years.
Long promoted to tourists, carriage rides have been presented by those working in the industry as a distinctive part of the city's appeal. Speaking at a hearing earlier this year, longtime carriage driver and stable manager Conor McHugh emphasized their international draw, saying visitors travel to New York from around the world for a ride in the park.
The industry has nevertheless faced persistent criticism over animal welfare and public safety. Although efforts to abolish the practice have continued for decades, the campaign gained renewed momentum this year following a fatal incident in June. Romanch Mahajan, a teenage tourist from India, died in an incident involving a runaway carriage horse.
