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                    Statement on horse drawn vehicles

                    A horse drawn carriage
                    Media release, Thursday 25 May 2017
                    The City of Melbourne will no longer provide permits for horse drawn vehicles to park or offer rides on Swanston Street due to safety risks associated with their operations and the impact of the construction of the Metro Tunnel and the CBD South station.

                    ​Melbourne Metro Tunnel works to create the new CBD South station will mean that the movement of trams, bicycles and pedestrians will be prioritised on Swanston Street.

                    The horse drawn vehicle parking area between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane on Swanston Street will be removed from June 2017. A separate parking area on St Kilda Road will remain.

                    There are currently five operators who operate up to 14 carriages under City of Melbourne permit conditions. These permits allow them to sell their services via the internet or for cash within a public place within the municipality. Additionally there are three companies operating without City of Melbourne permits.

                    The carriages will be still able to operate on the road network because under Victorian Road Rules, they are classified as a vehicle.

                    The current horse drawn permits are due to expire in June 2017.

                    Community consultation began in December 2016 and included consultation with the vehicle operators, road and transport authorities, Victoria Police, the RSPCA, interviews with local residents, tourists and visitors. 

                    The horse drawn operators are aware of the impending changes in Swanston Street and will need to determine the impact on their business.

                    Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Robert Doyle

                    "Swanston Street is now busier than Regent Street in London."

                    "It's no longer appropriate for the horse drawn vehicles to operate in their current location on Swanston Street. This civic spine should be primarily be used for cyclists, trams and delivery vehicles. The impact of the Metro Tunnel works makes this change necessary now."

                    "We need to ensure that Swanston Street is a safe and accessible civic space for all Melbournians and visitors to the city," the Lord Mayor said.

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