Horse-drawn carriages banned from center of Prague
On Monday, Prague city councilors voted to terminate lease agreements for spaces used by horse-drawn carriage operators, known as fiakers. These have been excluded from market regulations since 2023, and according to some city officials, they have been operating illegally ever since.
The lease agreement, which was first signed in 1994, will be terminated immediately. City officials explained the decision as both an update to commercial regulations and a concern for animal welfare.
For example, according to Pirate Party councilor for property, Adam Zábranský, the city center is particularly exposed to high temperatures, posing further risk to the animals.
Reporter Mikuláš Vochozka spoke to Czech Radio about some of the other reasons why horse-drawn carriages have faced criticism in recent years:
“Part of the administration of the capital city believes that horse-drawn carriages in the center of the metropolis do not belong. They argue that it poses a safety risk. In addition, they say that horses on the streets of the capital encounter cars and can be put in danger. Horses, especially in the summer months, also suffer from high temperatures, which are harder to tolerate in the center of Prague due to the lack of greenery, the heat from the concrete, and so on. For these reasons, two years ago, the city council removed horse-drawn carriages from the streets.”
Nevertheless, horse-drawn carriages can still be seen in the city center. According to Zábranský, they are there illegally. Horse transport operators, on the other hand, claim that they had a valid lease agreement with the city that allowed them to operate. It is this agreement that councilors voted to terminate on Monday.
Operators disagree
Operators disagree with the city administration. They claim that their horses are accustomed to operating in an urban environment and that they are provided with adequate conditions for care and rest. Vochozka with more:
“They claim to adhere to all safety regulations and guidelines, ensuring that the animals are not exposed to excessive strain or danger. According to them, horse-drawn carriages add a historical aspect to the tourist experience and help maintain the tradition of horse-drawn transport. They also say that in other European cities, like Austria, France, and the UK, horse-drawn carriages are a popular tourist attraction.”
This action is part of a wider initiative by the city to impose stricter controls on tourism activities in the historic core. Notably, the ban does not outlaw horse-carriages throughout the city.
In recent years, Prague has implemented bans on Segways, beer bikes, and large mascot outfits in key tourist zones. During Monday's meeting, city councillors also approved a new regulation to prohibit shared electric scooters starting next year, following multiple complaints from residents about their improper use in central areas.
