Workers rally ahead of vote to phase out horse drawn carriages in NYC
Oct 23, 2026
Emotions ran high at this morning's rally
as carriage workers and union leaders
spoke about how this vote could negatively impact their livelihood.
Now, carriage-drawn horses have been operating
in Central Park for roughly 160 years,
transitioning over time from a regular way
of transportation to a tourist attraction
and a way of life for carriage workers.
Today's vote for Introduction 943A would slowly phase out
the horse-drawn carriage industry.
It would start by banning new licenses for carriage horses,
horse-drawn cabs, and horse-drawn cab drivers by June of 2028.
Active licenses would expire on May 31st of that year.
It would also prohibit the sale or transfer of the horses
to be used in other horse-drawn cab businesses or slaughter.
This comes after 18-year-old Ramon Chimayon was killed after he
was thrown from a horse-drawn carriage back in June.
The Administrative Vice President
of the Local 100 Transport Worker Union is strongly against this bill.
Where are you finding a home for 80 horses that you can't send
to an industry they were bred to do the work for?
Now Mayor Ramdani would need to sign off
on this bill after City Council's vote.
From New York City Hall, Erica Lunsford, News 12.