New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin is advancing a bill that would ban horse-drawn carriage rides in the city, with a vote scheduled for October 22. The proposed legislation, known as Intro. 943, aims to end the carriage industry by mid-2028, citing concerns over animal welfare. However, the bill faces criticism from carriage drivers, owners, and industry advocates who argue it lacks adequate support for those affected.
The bill includes provisions for drafting a transition plan by April 2027, which would involve job fairs, counseling, and related measures intended to assist displaced workers. However, opponents contend these steps fall short of providing meaningful economic relief. They highlight the absence of guaranteed financial compensation for carriage operators, many of whom have invested heavily over the years in city-issued medallions and their own businesses.
Critics also question the bill's safeguards for the horses themselves. While it directs carriage-horse owners to receive a list of potential new caretakers, it does not allocate city funding or require these new owners to uphold the stringent care standards currently mandated, which include biannual physical exams, comprehensive vaccinations, and round-the-clock stable staffing. Opponents warn that without strong oversight mechanisms, horses could be at risk of neglect or worse, including being sold to slaughter facilities. They note that horse sanctuaries and rescues frequently face financial challenges and that thousands of horses annually end up in such auctions nationwide.
The proposed timeline for phasing out the industry—less than six months to develop the transition plan and about a year thereafter to complete the shutdown—is viewed by some as unfeasible given the complexity of finding alternative employment for workers and appropriate housing for roughly 180 horses.
The legislative process has also drawn criticism from industry representatives. They claim that communication with city officials, including Speaker Menin’s office, has been limited and that workers were not adequately informed about key developments, including the release of the most recent version of the bill. Menin was reportedly absent from a committee hearing where drivers testified earlier in the year and did not attend meetings discussing the potential ban.
Advocates for the carriage industry argue that the bill, as currently written, threatens the livelihoods of hundreds of drivers and owners as well as the welfare of the horses, which are considered iconic fixtures in Central Park and New York City’s cultural landscape. The Transportation Workers Union Local 100, whose administrative vice president Alexander Kemp voiced strong opposition to the legislation, urges council members to reconsider the bill’s adoption in its present form.