One can hardly imagine Vienna without its signature fiacres on the streets – but their extinction could be just around the corner as the coronavirus pandemic has put a significant dent in the budgets of their operators. Luckily, local authorities in the Austrian capital have recognized their significance and have been providing increasing support to help them stay afloat during the pandemic.
Protecting heritage and tradition
In view of the ongoing Corona crisis, which has delivered a substantial blow to Vienna’s fiacre companies, the City of Vienna and the Vienna Chamber of Commerce have put together a new aid package. In spring they were supported with the “Vienna fiacre feed package”, under which the operators received payments for horse feed and for different measures to protect the animals’ health, amounting to 250 euros per horse per month.
“Unfortunately, the situation has not improved, so we are helping again with another aid package to the same extent as in spring. The fiacres are a symbol of our city, the welfare of the animals is very important to us and we don’t want to let anyone down” stated Vienna’s Mayor Michael Ludwig.
The second package covers the expenses for the supply of feed, bedding and regular care for the animals for the next three months. Vienna’s fiacre operators can apply for funding from the Vienna Chamber of Commerce with immediate effect. Officials are especially proud of the fact that the aid that can be provided circumvents all bureaucratic hurdles and is easy to access – much like during the spring when the city made available around 237,000 euros for the needs of the local fiacre operators.
Source: TheMayor.EU
