NYC Bans Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides After Death Of Indian Tourist; Trump Says ‘Piece Of History Gone’

Tourists visiting New York City from July 2028 onwards will likely no longer spot the horse-drawn carriages that have long been an iconic part of the city’s landscape. The City Council, led by Indian-origin Mayor Zohran Mamdani, voted to ban the tourist attraction, which became a major point of debate following the death of Indian teenager Romanch Mahajan. He was visiting the city when he was killed after being thrown from a horse-drawn carriage in June, according to NBC New York.

US President Donald Trump criticised the move, which the City Council approved by a vote of 40-7, saying another piece of New York City’s history was gone.

“When there is a car accident in the area, of which there are many, they don’t stop cars from entering the Park.

So why would they stop the Carriages? It was a Great Tradition. Another piece of History that’s gone. It will be missed!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump, a former New York City real estate mogul, has built his business empire around the city, with the iconic Trump Tower located near Central Park.

Romanch Mahajan died on June 17 after the horse pulling his carriage bolted when the driver stepped away to take a photograph of his family. Mahajan was thrown from the carriage and suffered fatal injuries.

The legislation requires the city to draw up a transition plan for workers by April 2027, including support to help them move into other jobs. It also calls for the city to consider a compensation programme for carriage operators and make arrangements for the horses, which cannot be sent for slaughter under the proposal. However, the details of financial assistance and alternative employment remain a concern for those whose livelihoods depend on the industry.

The ban could also face a legal challenge. The Transport Workers Union, which represents carriage owners and drivers, has threatened to seek a temporary restraining order as soon as the legislation is enacted, arguing that it would strip operators of the economic use of their property and effectively outlaw a previously licensed profession, according to amNew York.

In a letter to New York City Corporation Counsel Steve Banks, the union argued that the measure would deprive carriage operators of their businesses and investments without adequate compensation. “This may be the first time in City history that a previously licensed profession was banned,” the letter, signed by the union’s principal attorney Arthur Schwartz, said.

While the City Council’s 40-7 vote marks a major step towards ending a tradition that dates back more than 150 years, the union’s planned legal challenge could complicate the ban’s implementation. The legislation is scheduled to phase out horse-drawn carriage rides by June 1, 2028.