Council Phases Out Central Park Horse Carriages
New York City Council voted to end horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park by June 1, 2028.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Large Animals
The New York City Council voted in favor of a bill to wind down horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, setting June 1, 2028 as the end date. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and council chair Julie Menin agreed on the draft bill before its approval.
Why it matters
The ban responds to animal welfare concerns, including claims that horses are overworked, poorly housed and prone to panic. New York's decision comes as similar restrictions spread to cities such as Prague and Vienna.
The phase-out bill sets June 1, 2028 as the end date for carriage rides, after a tradition of about 150 years. Details on transition support for drivers and horses were not included in the bill summary.
The players
Zohran Mamdani
Mayor of New York City who agreed on the draft bill with the council chair.
Julie Menin
Chair of the New York City Council who agreed on the draft bill with the mayor.
The details
The bill was approved by the City Council in mid-October after a city health committee had already endorsed the draft. Some coachmen could take guests through the park in special rickshaws under the new arrangement.
Timeline
2023: Prague ended horse-drawn carriages in its Old Town.
June 2025: An 18-year-old tourist died after a carriage horse bolted.
Mid-October 2026: The New York City Council voted in favor of the phase-out bill.
June 1, 2028: New York carriage rides are due to end.
Culture Shift
New York's decision follows Prague's 2023 ending of horse-drawn carriages in its Old Town, which cited monotony and exhaust exposure for horses. Vienna, which has about 150 carriages and a petition of 20,000 signatures, is among other cities now weighing similar limits on the practice.
Carriage rides in Central Park are scheduled to end on June 1, 2028, which will change the options available to visitors seeking horse-drawn tours. Riders may instead consider rickshaw rides, which some coachmen could offer through the park under the new arrangement.
The takeaway
Visitors planning Central Park trips past 2028 should expect horse-drawn carriages to be gone, with rickshaws as a possible alternative. The change reflects a broader shift in how cities weigh animal welfare against tourist attractions.
What happens next
The carriage ban takes effect on June 1, 2028, the date set in the phase-out bill.
Further reading
For related coverage, explore more Large Animals stories on the site.
