Horse carriages in Málaga are on their way out, as announced by the Mobility Councillor, Trinidad Hernández, during the Urban Planning and Mobility plenary session on Monday. This decision comes after a debate on a motion presented by the Vox group spokesperson, Yolanda Gómez, requesting the preservation of this carriage service for city visitors. Hernández stated that the horse carriage model as a tourist attraction has been difficult to fit in the city for some time and is a service that will be phased out. She reminded everyone that back in 2015, an ordinance was approved giving a 20-year validity to licenses and supporting the rescue of existing ones at a cost of 45,000 euros.
“In 2035, there will no longer be horse carriages in Málaga,” assured the Mobility Councillor. She dismissed the previous project announced by the City Council to relocate the current stables in Teatinos to another location in the city. Additionally, Hernández criticized the carriage drivers for not contributing to the maintenance of the stables or paying for any expenses. She presented a list of invoices for cleaning and waste removal that the City Council had to cover this year. “We provided them with temporary use of land, and they are responsible for maintaining their stables, paying for disinfection, water, electricity… and they are not doing anything,” she emphasized.
“This is not a public service, it is a private one. Our only obligation is to establish the licensing and stopping regulations in the city and ensure that young carriage drivers have alternative job opportunities,” explained Hernández regarding a motion from VOX that was rejected by other political groups. The proposal urged the City Council to “maintain and promote the tradition of horse carriages in Málaga, and find solutions that allow the continuity of this sector, respecting the acquired rights of license owners and acknowledging the employment integration issues that arise after licenses are revoked,” of which there are currently about 25 in effect.
According to Trinidad Hernández, Urban Planning had to allocate half a million euros to repair damages on the streets of Málaga’s city center caused by horse hooves. “They refuse to use rubber horseshoes like in other cities,” she explained during the plenary session, where members of animal welfare associations also spoke out against the continuation of this service in the city. “You cannot imagine the daily complaints from tourists that we receive at the City Council about the conditions of the horse carriages,” added the Mobility Councillor.
The decision to phase out horse carriages in Málaga aligns with the city’s efforts to modernize its transportation services and address concerns related to animal welfare and urban infrastructure. This move will not only improve the city’s image but also create new opportunities for young carriage drivers to explore alternative career paths in line with evolving societal needs and expectations. As Málaga transitions away from horse-drawn carriages, it opens up space for innovative and sustainable mobility solutions that cater to both residents and visitors, ensuring a more inclusive and animal-friendly urban environment.