San Antonio city leaders are divided over the timeline for phasing out horse-drawn carriages from downtown streets. During a special session, some council members called for a ban within twelve months, while others favored a longer timeline of up to seven years. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously for city staff to present phase-out strategies, but there is still no agreement on how to implement the plan, as reported by KSAT.

District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez expressed frustration over the two-year delay in discussing a ban on horse-drawn carriages, stating, "We did an airport deal faster than that. And this took two years just to come and tell us what people in San Antonio said." District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo raised concerns about the economic impact of a quick ban on owners and operators, noting their significant debts, which range from $67,000 to $700,000. She found the suggestion that operators should retrain for lower-paying jobs to be "insulting," according to a statement obtained by KSAT.

The plan to phase out horse-drawn carriages includes potential changes to city regulations, financial assistance for affected business owners, and workforce transition strategies for the 81 carriage operators. Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez of District 2, who co-sponsored the ban, advocates for electric, "horseless" carriages. In contrast, some council members and carriage operators have suggested alternatives like reduced hours or fewer carriages, as detailed by KSAT.

A recent survey indicated a slim majority in favor of the ban. Mayor Ron Nirenberg stated, "It's actually overdue. I would like for us to transition thoughtfully, compassionately, as soon as we can." No final decision was made in October, but an ordinance is expected in early December, with a potential City Council vote soon after. City staff is leaning toward recommending a three-year phase-out plan, as stated by My San Antonio.