CENTRAL PARK, Manhattan (WABC) — Carriage horse drivers are worried about losing their livelihoods after the New York City Council reached a potential deal to end the industry in Central Park, but a possible opportunity from the MTA could provide an alternative for some workers.
On Wednesday, MTA President and CEO Janno Lieber said the agency might hire some carriage drivers if the industry is disbanded.
Christina Hansen, a carriage driver, said she is not ready to leave her job.
“We. Well, I mean, this is outrageous. I mean, we are angry. We’re upset,” Hansen said.
More than 100 carriage drivers in the city could be affected if the City Council approves a bill that would end the historic pastime. Legislators plan to vote on the measure, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he supports the move.
“We want to ensure that this is a resolution that also comes with a measure of a just transition for those who have earned their livelihood from this,” Mamdani said.
Lieber said the MTA is willing to help carriage drivers transition into new careers.
“They are already members of our largest union. We’d love to see if there is a fit with some or all of them at the MTA,” Lieber said.
Hansen said she remains skeptical about what would happen to drivers if the industry is banned.
“I mean, I work with horses, you know, how long would that take? Is that a comparable job? There’s no mechanism to ensure that that everybody’s taken care of in this bill. It’s a ban first, ask questions later,” Hansen said.
The effort to ban the industry gained momentum this summer after a teenager from India died after falling from a runaway horse. Weeks earlier, a carriage horse collapsed and died.
Animal rights advocates support the proposed legislation.
“It saves the lives of these horses, many of whom are elderly, sick horses who have collapsed and died regularly. It makes the city safer,” said Edita Birnkrant of NYCLASS.
The City Council is expected to consider the bill as debate continues between drivers who fear losing their jobs and advocates who say ending the industry would improve safety and animal welfare.
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