Loud no to the ban – “Vienna without a Fiaker is like Venice without gondolas”

You can’t blame a social worker from Vorarlberg if he doesn’t know the emotional relationship many Viennese people have with ‘their’ taxis. But Johannes Rauch is Minister of Animal Welfare. And in that capacity he would like to ban all horses from the city. The excitement in Vienna is great. Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) – a self-confessed carriage enthusiast – gives the idea a clear rejection.

The city boss explains that he will do everything he can to preserve the 300-year-old tradition. He’s not alone. The discussion is about two things. First, animal welfare. Radical animal rights activists have been calling for the taxis to be closed for years. Argument: asphalt, city traffic and hooves do not go together. What they don’t consider: If the more than 300 horses lose their jobs, they risk being put to sleep in the worst case, says Christian Gerzabek of the “Pro Fiakerkultur” initiative.

Horses thrive in no other city as well as in Vienna
The well-traveled head of Vienna Tourism, Norbert Kettner, adds: “Nowhere else in the world do horses have such a good social system as we do. They only work every other day. The animals are doing very well.” The carriages are also an economic factor. That’s the second point. Hundreds of jobs – from stable boys to farriers – depend on the trade.

Above all, the Viennese are upset by the inexplicable consequences
Away from politics: What the Viennese say about the discussion – we asked around the city center. The carriages are still a popular photo motif. Rauch’s initiative is not well received by the respondents. Above all, the unexplained consequences are exciting.

According to the Chamber of Commerce, 19 companies operate 130 carriages. Head of department Markus Grießler: “Vienna without Fiaker would be Venice without gondolas.” Or is Rauch more into the quirky plastic wagons that transport tourists around the ring?