Iconic NYC Horse-Drawn Carriages Could Soon Disappear

An agreement reached Tuesday between Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin is setting the stage for a vote.

New York City’s iconic horse-drawn carriages could soon disappear.

The carriage industry in New York has been around for over 160 years. It coincided with the public opening of Central Park, allowing visitors to experience it at the slow pace of a carriage. It then expanded.

However, an agreement reached Tuesday between Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin is setting the stage for a vote to eliminate the historic industry.

The agreement would ban horse-drawn carriage operations beginning June 1, 2028, if approved by council on Oct. 22, ending the longtime tourist attraction amid concerns over animal welfare and public safety.