Central Park horse‑drawn carriage rides resumed today after a week‑long pause prompted by a fatal crash that killed an 18‑year‑old. The incident, the first Central Park carriage death in over 150 years, spurred a debate over animal welfare and safety, pulling city officials, unions and advocacy groups into a clash in the city’s transportation sector.

During the suspension, the Transport Workers Union Local 100 carried out safety reviews and refresher training for drivers, while the Central Park Conservancy called for a temporary halt until stronger protections were in place. In a move to balance jobs, Mayor Zohran Mamdani floated a bill to phase out the industry and aid workers in.

Carriage operators argue that accidents are rare and that the industry sustains many livelihoods. They propose installing hitching posts and stricter oversight to