New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing the prospect of a legal battle over a proposed ban on horse-drawn carriages, after the city’s carriage drivers and their union vowed to challenge the measure in court.
The New York City Council voted 40–7 on October 22, 2026, to approve legislation that would phase out the horse-drawn carriage industry by June 2028. The bill, known as Romanch’s Law, now awaits action from Mamdani, who has expressed support for ending the practice.
But the decision has sparked strong opposition from carriage operators, who argue that the ban threatens their livelihoods, businesses and property rights. Their representatives say they are prepared to seek an immediate court order if the legislation becomes law.
The dispute has turned a long-running debate about animal welfare and public safety into a legal and economic battle over the future of one of New York City’s best-known tourist traditions.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100, which represents carriage drivers and other workers in the industry, has warned that it intends to challenge the legislation in court. Before the City Council vote, the union’s attorney, Arthur Schwartz, sent a letter to the city’s legal department outlining the union’s objections and threatening to seek a temporary restraining order if the bill was enacted.
The union argues that the legislation could deprive carriage operators of the value of their city-issued licences and medallions, along with the businesses and equipment they have spent years building.
Union representatives contend that eliminating the industry without adequate compensation could violate federal and state constitutional protections, including rules governing the taking of private property. The union has also criticised the proposed transition arrangements, arguing that workers need concrete guarantees about compensation and alternative employment.
However, these are legal allegations, not a court ruling. Whether the legislation violates constitutional protections will depend on the arguments presented and how a court interprets the law.
Mamdani has backed the effort to phase out horse-drawn carriage rides, aligning with animal-welfare advocates who have campaigned against the industry for years. Supporters argue that horses should not have to work in crowded urban streets, where traffic, noise and other hazards can put animals and people at risk.
The campaign gained renewed momentum following the death of 18-year-old Indian tourist Romanch Mahajan in a Central Park carriage accident in June 2026. The incident intensified calls for the city to reconsider whether horse-drawn carriages remain appropriate in a modern, densely populated city.
Supporters of the legislation say New York can preserve its historic character without requiring horses to pull tourist carriages through busy streets. They also argue that phasing out the industry would reduce risks to passengers, pedestrians, drivers and the animals themselves.
For carriage operators, however, the issue is not simply about tradition. It is also about jobs, family businesses and financial security.
The industry supports drivers, owners, stable workers and other people whose livelihoods depend on horse-drawn tourism. Union representatives say many operators have invested heavily in their businesses and obtained licences and medallions under the city’s existing regulatory system.
They fear the phase-out could leave workers without sufficient compensation or a reliable route into alternative employment. Opponents have also argued that carriage rides remain a tourist attraction and that the city should consider stricter safety rules or other reforms rather than eliminating the industry altogether.
The legislation includes provisions for a worker transition programme, with assistance intended to connect affected workers to other employment opportunities. But union representatives say the proposed framework does not provide enough certainty about how workers will be compensated or supported.
The disagreement over those protections is likely to become a central issue in any legal challenge.
The legislation is named after Romanch Mahajan, the 18-year-old tourist whose death in a carriage accident prompted renewed calls to end the industry. The City Council approved the bill by a substantial majority, with 40 members voting in favour and seven against.
Under the measure, horse-drawn carriage rides would be phased out by June 2028. The city would also have to develop plans for affected workers and address the future placement and care of the horses. Animal-welfare advocates have welcomed the vote as a major step towards ending a practice they have criticised for decades.
For opponents, however, the legislation raises questions about whether the city can eliminate a long-established industry without providing more substantial protections for those whose work depends on it.
New York City’s Law Department has indicated that it is prepared to defend the legislation against a legal challenge. The city maintains that the measure is grounded in law, while supporters argue that elected officials have the authority to regulate public safety and determine which commercial activities are permitted on city streets.
The union’s challenge, by contrast, is expected to focus on property rights, compensation and due process.
Even if a lawsuit is filed, the outcome is not predetermined. A court could consider whether the legislation’s provisions are legally valid, whether affected operators are entitled to compensation and whether any part of the measure should be temporarily blocked while the case proceeds.
The legal process could therefore shape both the implementation of the ban and the protections offered to workers.
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