The future of horse-drawn carriages in downtown San Antonio hangs in the balance as the city council prepares for a pivotal vote this Thursday. Since 1865, horse carriages have become a licensed staple of the area, and currently, five companies are permitted to operate up to five carriages each within a two-mile radius of City Hall, , as reported by KSAT.
In the days leading up to the vote, both supporters and opponents have voiced their perspectives, with proponents staging a protest on Monday demanding the council allow the historic tradition to continue, however, the city council after several months of deliberation has discussed various plans to phase out the carriages, citing animal welfare and environmental concerns as key driving forces behind the move.
As covered by KENS 5, companies running the horse carriages are advocating for the continuation of their businesses. "City Council is scheduled to vote on shutting down the horse carriage industry this Thursday during our holiday season," the companies stated. They emphasized the industry's significance to local culture and the downtown experience, with businesses owned by diverse groups, including women, minorities, and LGBTQ individuals, and highlighted the employment of close to 300 people and the role of horses in creating memorable downtown experiences.
Council members Phyllis Viagran and Jalen McKee-Rodriguez initially called for the plan to eliminate the carriages late in 2022 — "With changes comes great challenges, but we also have a great opportunity to facilitate something new, special and memorable in our city that both relieves traffic congestion and creates a special experience that everyone can enjoy," McKee-Rodriguez told KENS 5. The proposed phase-out of the carriages comes in the wake of survey results indicating the majority preference of San Antonians for the discontinuation of this practice, while the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has already taken unanimous steps towards the development of a phase-out plan to be rolled out over one to three years.
