New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a plan to end the city’s horse-drawn carriage industry by June 2028. He and City Council Speaker Julie Menin reached this deal on Tuesday. A vote on the bill is expected next week. This move follows the death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan after a carriage accident in June. The new law bears his name to honor the victim.
The industry faces a huge financial loss with no payback.
Frank Riccobono, who runs NYC Horse Carriage Rides, owns 12 horses and three carriages. He told Fox News Digital that the ban feels like a personal attack. Since pedicabs fly around, why are they allowed to run a business? Riccobono asked. He noted that a 168-year-old tradition is being forced to surrender. He owns a medallion license that cost him nearly $400,000. He said he will take a very big loss with no reimbursement.
Riccobono insists his horses receive the most perfect lifestyle and regular vet care. He described the bond with his animals as deeply personal. “I had horses give birth in front of me,” he said. I own their mother and possess their baby, which feels like removing a child from me. The bill allows owners to keep or sell their horses, but bans them from working in the city.
Mayor Mamdani also skipped the annual Pulaski Day Parade on Oct. 4. He then tried to combine Polish heritage into a generic Eastern European event. Grzegorz Fryc, a longtime NYC Polish activist, called this move disrespectful. Among European ethnic groups in America, Polish Americans form one of the largest communities. Fryc raged that grouping Poles, Ukrainians, and Russians reveals shocking historical ignorance and disrespect.
He noted that most Poles identify as Central European, not Eastern European. The mayor also cancelled the traditional breakfast reception at Gracie Mansion. This event was started by former Mayor Eric Adams to honor the community. Another Polish leader said the mayor needs to understand he represents all New Yorkers.
The mayor’s office sent invites for a new event on Oct. 22 instead. Hundreds of thousands of residents felt this was a slap in the face, critics stated. Mamdani told a Polish-language radio station he did not know if his schedule allowed him to attend the parade. He said they would get back to him but never confirmed his presence. The community feels the mayor is ignoring their history and contributions.
The bill to ban the carriages moves to a vote next week. If it passes, operations will stop in June 2028. Owners cannot send their horses to slaughter or other inhumane purposes. They can transfer the animals to other owners or keep them at home. The city has not yet addressed the financial loss for the drivers.
Per the New York Post, the Polish community is demanding an apology. They want the traditional Gracie Mansion breakfast restored. The mayor has not responded to these specific demands yet. The vote on the carriage ban will be the next major test for the administration.
