MANHATTAN (WABC) — The future of New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry could be on the line Wednesday as the City Council holds a hearing on legislation that would phase out the iconic Central Park attraction following a series of serious incidents, including a fatal crash last month.<\/p>\n
Supporters of the measure, known as “Romanch’s Law,” say the bill is needed to improve public safety after eight serious carriage-related incidents over the past two years. The legislation would stop the renewal of two-year licenses for the city’s 68 horse-drawn carriages, effectively ending an industry that has operated in New York for more than 150 years.<\/p>\n
The push for change gained momentum after 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan was killed last month<\/a> when he was thrown from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park.<\/p>\n His aunt and uncle appeared in person to testify at the hearing while his mother and father joined via Zoom from India.<\/p>\n “I want you to imagine what it is like watching your son die in front of you,” the victim’s father Deepak Mahajan said.<\/p>\n The teen’s mother sat silently next to her husband and wiped tears from her face. It is the first time the couple has been seen publicly since their son was killed.<\/p>\n “I cannot properly describe to you the real true fear inside that carriage, it was shaking, it was speeding, there was no one holding the reign, and we could do nothing but hold onto each other and scream,” Mahajan said.<\/p>\n On Wednesday morning before the start of the hearing, dueling rallies were held outside City Hall in support of the bill and against it.<\/p>\n The Mahajan family attorney said it is not the carriage driver’s fault, but the blame is on the city for not banning the carriages sooner.<\/p>\n “The City of New York is responsible and liable for this death, they have known for decades and decades of the dangers of horse-drawn carriages, no tethering posts, no hitching points, not one single safety device can secure a 2,000-pound animal from the tourists and residents of this city, in the world’s busiest city, in the world’s busiest park,”<\/p>\n The proposal has also won support from City Council Speaker Julie Menin<\/a>, who announced Tuesday that she backs the legislation. Advocates say ending the industry could prevent future injuries and deaths.<\/p>\n “This isn’t a theoretical danger. This is a very acute one,” said David Saltonstall, vice president of the Central Park Conservancy. “I don’t want to be standing here in two months talking about the ninth incident.”<\/p>\n The horse carriage industry and its union representatives are pushing an alternative proposal that would add hitching posts around Central Park and allow the business to continue operating. Supporters argue the industry has been a longtime city tradition and a source of jobs for carriage operators.<\/p>\n A key focus of the hearing is expected to be what happens to workers if the industry is phased out. Menin said she is exploring opportunities in the hospitality sector for those who could lose their jobs.<\/p>\n Mayor Mamdani has expressed support for the intent of the legislation but has raised concerns about the impact on workers whose livelihoods depend on the industry.<\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n * Get Eyewitness News Delivered<\/a> <\/p>\n * More New York City news<\/a><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/p>\n * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts<\/a> <\/p>\n * Download our connected TV app<\/a> <\/p>\n
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