Socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reached an agreement Tuesday with New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin to ban the city’s horse carriage industry. The deal marks a critical development in a decades-long campaign against the Central Park tourist attraction.

Under the proposed city legislation, operating a horse-drawn carriage anywhere in New York City would become illegal beginning in June 2028. The full City Council is expected to vote on the measure on Oct. 22.

Local leaders have sought to remove horse-drawn carriages from Central Park since 2010. Those efforts have focused on concerns about the safety and welfare of the horses after several died over the years from accidents and exhaustion.

Mamdani’s predecessor, Mayor Eric Adams, was among the officials who attempted to outlaw the industry. Despite those repeated efforts, the carriages have continued operating while transporting tourists around the park.

A major transport union has resisted the campaign on behalf of hundreds of carriage drivers who earn their living through the industry. The agreement now puts those drivers closer to losing their existing line of work when the proposed ban takes effect.

Menin’s spokesperson told Politico that Mamdani had agreed to support the city bill. Menin framed the coming vote as a public safety measure affecting residents, visitors, and the animals used by carriage operators.

“Horse-drawn carriages have long been part of New York City’s history, but in an increasingly busy Central Park, this tradition has become a growing public safety liability,” Menin said in a statement.

“Next week, the Council will take decisive action by voting on [this bill] to protect New Yorkers, visitors, and the horses themselves.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin have reached a deal to phase out the Central Park horse carriage industry by June 2028.

But, as CBS News' @JaredOchacher reports, some horse carriage owners are vowing to fight back. https://t.co/TWUPEpRKP0 — CBS News (@CBSNews) October 14, 2026

Mamdani’s support follows the inclusion of a workforce transition program for carriage drivers. The program would provide career counseling and referrals to employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors.

The proposal also requires the city to “consider” establishing programs that would compensate carriage owners. That potential compensation would account for the value of their businesses, horses, equipment, and the licenses they hold to operate.

A spokesperson for Mamdani said the mayor remains committed to helping carriage drivers find new employment. The administration has been working with the City Council, union partners, drivers, animal welfare advocates, and community leaders as the legislation moves forward.

“We have been working closely with the City Council, union partners, carriage drivers, animal welfare advocates, and community leaders to deliver a just transition that protects workers while ending horse-drawn carriages in Central Park once and for all,” the spokesperson said.

The proposal would not eliminate the industry immediately. Its June 2028 effective date provides a period for drivers, carriage owners, city officials, and others involved in the transition to prepare for the ban.

Menin also said she would convene a working group to focus on problems that emerge during the industry’s phase-out period. That group would address issues arising as the city moves toward ending horse carriage operations.

The legislation pairs the planned prohibition with employment assistance and the possibility of compensation programs for carriage owners. However, the city is only required to consider creating those compensation programs under the current proposal.

The approaching council vote represents the latest step in an effort that has continued since 2010. If approved, the measure would set a firm date for an attraction long associated with Central Park to disappear from city streets.

For carriage drivers and owners, the agreement brings the industry’s future into sharper focus. For Mamdani and Menin, it offers a path to end the carriages while directing the city to help affected workers seek other employment.

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