Central Park's horse-drawn carriages, a fixture since the mid-1800s, are heading for the exit. On 22 October, New York's city council voted to ban the rides, with the ban set to take effect in June 2028 — provided Mayor Zohran Mamdani signs the measure. He has backed a ban before, though he has also voiced concerns about protecting drivers' livelihoods.
The long runway until 2028 is deliberate. City council speaker Julie Menin said the timeline is meant to help the roughly 150 active carriage drivers find other work, and the bill includes a provision exploring compensation for licence holders. Owners of the nearly 200 horses would be barred from selling them for slaughter or to other carriage operators. The Transport Workers Union, which represents the drivers, is promising a legal fight, so the story may not be over yet.
The debate has run for nearly two decades. Critics point to animal welfare problems — horses collapsing and dying, and dangerous escapes — while supporters defend the jobs and a heritage that's almost as old as the park itself. What tipped the balance this time appears to be a string of incidents culminating in tragedy this June, when an 18-year-old tourist from India was killed by a horse that broke loose and bolted. Several horse deaths preceded that.
The Central Park Conservancy, which manages the country's busiest urban park — some 42 million visits a year — backed the ban, calling it a matter of public health and safety. For the drivers and owners, the stakes are real: a 45-minute ride currently costs about $150, and special occasions like marriage proposals can run into the hundreds of dollars.
The carriages have deep cultural roots, too. They've appeared in everything from "Barefoot in the Park" with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda to a memorable "Sex and the City" scene. If you've always wanted that slow clip-clop loop past Bethesda Terrace and the Mall, you now have until mid-2028 to do it — assuming the ban survives the mayor's signature and any legal challenges.
For visitors, the practical takeaway is simple: don't build a New York itinerary around a carriage ride much beyond spring 2028, and if you do take one in the meantime, book through licensed operators and agree on the price up front. And there are plenty of ways to enjoy Central Park without a horse — walking the Ramble, rowing on the lake, or just people-watching near the Bethesda Fountain. Story credit: Euronews Travel
