Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one – it seems those iconic horse-drawn carriages in Central Park are about to take their last trot. After over 150 years of cruising through the park, they’re set to be banished soon, thanks to a bill that’s expected to pass in the New York City Council. I mean, I get it, animal welfare activists have been opposing this tradition for a long time, but it’s still a bit sad to see it go. The bill would ban horse-drawn carriage rides by June 2028, and it’s all because of the death of a teenage tourist last spring, which spurred the latest call to end the rides.
The legislation requires Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office to come up with a plan to help the over 150 remaining drivers find new work, which is a good thing, I suppose. I mean, it’s not like they can just magically find new jobs overnight. The plan would include referrals for job openings in the city’s transit, hospitality, and taxi industries, as well as career counseling. And, of course, the administration is considering some form of compensation for the industry workers, because, you know, they’re not just going to leave them high and dry.
Now, I’m not sure what’s going to happen to all those horses, but I’m sure someone will come up with a plan. Alexus Lawson, a 28-year-old carriage driver, is worried about what will become of her 7-year-old horse, Starlight. “Without a job, how can I take care of my horses?” she asks. It’s a fair question, if you ask me. And Medet Fidan, a former cab driver turned carriage driver, feels like he’s being targeted. “I think the city is leaving us a big mess,” he says. “We’re going to lose our businesses, we’re going to lose our jobs, we’re going to lose our livelihoods.”
The union representing the drivers is already vowing to file a legal challenge, because, of course, they are. And former mayors Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams both tried to end the industry, but it didn’t work out. This time, though, it seems like it’s actually going to happen. The latest push began after that tragic accident in June, where an 18-year-old tourist died after jumping from a runaway carriage. It’s just a really sad situation all around.
Somewhere in New York City, there are a lot of people who are going to be affected by this decision. Carriage drivers, horse owners, and all the people who make a living from this industry are going to have to find new ways to make a living. And while I understand the concerns about animal welfare, it’s still hard not to feel a little bad for the people who are going to lose their jobs.
In the end, it’s just another example of how things are changing in this city. The horse-drawn carriages have been a part of New York City for so long, it’s hard to imagine the city without them. But, I suppose that’s just progress. And who knows, maybe the city will come up with a plan to help all the affected workers, and maybe those horses will find new homes. Only time will tell, I guess. Bless their hearts, it’s going to be an interesting few years for the city. You can’t make this stuff up, but I suppose that’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
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