Central Park Horse Carriage Rides Suspended for Safety Review

Horse carriage rides in Central Park are temporarily halted until at least Tuesday. This comes after a safety review sparked by the tragic death of Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist who fell from a runaway horse carriage. The union representing carriage drivers, Transport Workers Union Local 100, announced the pause in operations as safety protocols undergo evaluation.

Alexander Kemp, the administrative vice president of the union, expressed condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the family.” Kemp also mentioned that addressing safety concerns is a top priority.

The review will focus on maintaining control of carriage horses at all times. Kemp noted that new safety training protocols, created with input from carriage operators, are set to be implemented next week. Around 200 carriage owners and drivers will need to adhere to these new guidelines.

This incident marks the first fatality linked to a horse carriage accident in the park’s long history, according to the union and the Central Park Conservancy. Mahajan had been visiting with his family from India to celebrate his high school graduation. The family chose to ride a decorated carriage in the park when the incident occurred. While the driver was taking a family photograph, the horse bolted. In an attempt to help, Mahajan’s mother fell, and he jumped out of the carriage, leading to his fatal injury.

The Central Park Conservancy argues for suspending the carriage industry until more protective measures are in place. Mahajan’s death was the eighth horse-related incident in the park over the past 13 months. The conservancy highlights that other cities like Chicago and San Antonio have ended horse-drawn carriages, citing safety concerns on busy park roads.

While carriage industry leaders stress the need for better protections, rather than eliminating the carriages, Mayor Zohran Mamdani supports ending the industry’s presence in Central Park altogether. He plans to work with various stakeholders toward a solution that ensures a ‘just transition’ for workers while phasing out the carriages.

Previous mayors, such as Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams, have taken similar stances. Efforts to shut down the industry have faced rigorous opposition over the years. Kemp assures that the union will collaborate with the city to enhance safety and prevent future accidents.

The union backs increased oversight, including regular checks in parks and enforcing protocols requiring drivers to remain seated while passengers are onboard. Horses should also be tethered when idle. Critics, including animal welfare activists, argue that horses are overworked and spooked by city environments. They also claim drivers regularly break city regulations. These claims are disputed by carriage owners, who assert the animals’ well-being and satisfactory stable conditions.