Local 100, Carriage Drivers at Central Park for Press Conference on Devastating Ban Bill

OCTOBER 16, 2026—In a press conference this morning at the horse carriage hack line in Central Park, carriage drivers shared how a proposed ban on their industry—to be voted on in City Council next week—would devastate them, while TWU Local 100 Administrative Vice President Alexander Kemp warned other unions to pay attention to the fact that the City Council Speaker Julie Menin cannot be trusted.

The issue has long been a contentious one, but after the tragic death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan in June, the focus changed from the welfare of the animals—and mistreatment of the horses was never proven—to one centered around the public safety.

It has been noted widely that Mahajan’s death, while untimely and heartbreaking, was the only fatality ever associated with the 168-year-old industry, while e-bike and scooter crashes regularly kill riders and pedestrians.

Kemp said a year ago, City Council Speaker Julie Menin had sided with the union on the issue of the carriage drivers when she was soliciting the support of Local 100.

“She’s completely taken an about-face—a total hypocrite and a sellout to labor,” said Kemp.

“There are no protections for the workers in this bill,” Kemp continued. “A job fair is not a guarantee. For Janno Lieber to come out and say he offers MTA jobs to horse owner-operators when he can’t even hire people off the street or keep the workforce in the MTA—what guarantees?”

Carriage Driver and Shop Steward Christina Hansen agreed with Kemp’s take of the incomplete and flawed bill.

“It does not protect the horses, it’s bad for horses. It does not protect the workers, it’s bad for workers. It does not protect the medallion owners, it’s bad for them. It destroys people and horses’ lives.”

Atakan Atkay, a medallion owner and owner-operator, said the bill does not address the issue with the consideration it deserves.

“If the city wants reform, let us reform. If the city wants modernization, let us modernize. If it wants to eliminate our business, it must provide fair and meaningful compensation,” said Atkay. “We will not quietly surrender our life savings. We will fight for our families and our futures.”

Kemp's final words were a warning to other labor unions to pay attention to what was happening.

"This is a fight between the rich class and the working class," he said. "It's them today, it's you tomorrow."