Draft Karozzini regulations announced

Draft regulations on the use of animal-drawn vehicles on the road, including the use of horse-drawn carriages (karozzini) for hire and reward were published today by the The Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications.

The regulations will follow reforms in other sectors such as buses, taxis, electric taxis, water taxis, trackless trains, hearses, minibuses and coaches.

The ministry said the draft regulations were a result of extensive discussions between Transport Malta and the horse cab owners, represented by the General Workers’ Union and the Animal Welfare Council which shall be issuing a separate set of regulations related to animal welfare.

A public consultation period will be open for four weeks during which time, the public as well as interested stakeholders, will be in a position to forward their comments and recommendations on the proposed regulations.

The draft regulations make a clear distinction between drivers, operators and the vehicles, and whether the animal-drawn vehicles are being used for hire or reward or for private use.

LICENSING AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR KAROZZINI, FARES CAPPED

In relation to karozzini the aim of the regulations is to improve the quality of the service, and for this purpose the draft regulations establish licensing and insurance requirements together with driver conduct standards, and spell out various obligations including the correct charging of fares, which have been capped, and the issue of fiscal receipts, and requirements relating to carriage equipment.

The draft regulations introduce, for the first time, the requirement, for anyone who intends to operate in this sector for hire or reward, to obtain an Operator’s Licence. Operators need to enjoy good repute while in possession of a Licence.

The draft regulations oblige drivers to complete a course and pass a test covering customer care issues, traffic regulations, the operation of an animal-drawn vehicle, animal care and grooming. Conditions for obtaining and renewing a vehicle’s license and the issue of an insurance policy also feature in the regulations.

The draft regulations specify a number of pre-determined routes covering the main tourist areas such as Valletta Waterfront, Valletta Ring Road, Sliema, St. Julians, Rabat, Mdina, St Paul’s Bay and Bugibba.

Once in force, in the case of operators for hire or reward, failure to abide by the regulations would result in automatic suspension of the respective operators’/drivers’ and vehicle licenses, together with penalties.

A highlight of these draft regulations, in line with other regulations governing other transport sectors is the introduction of a penalty point system for operators and drivers performing a service for hire and reward, which is aimed at discouraging repeat breaches. Penalty points will be charged to the operator or driver accumulating in such a way as to potentially lead to the withdrawal of the relevant license.

The draft regulations also oblige the operators to maintain and clean any shelters that are installed. Transport Malta is currently discussing the installation of these shelters with the horse cab owners.

The draft regulations also regulate animal drawn vehicles for private use with road safety being the main priority. This includes the introduction of licencing requirements both for the driver and the vehicle. The eligibility criteria for a driver to acquire such a license include a minimum age (depending on the size of the animal), medical fitness, the attendance of a course and the passing of a test covering traffic regulations.

The regulations also set out clear rules on the operation and use of animal-drawn vehicles to ensure that vehicles and animals are safe and fit for use; cartwheels do not damage road surface; that roads are kept clean from animal excrement particularly through the introduction of a requirement to keep a catching net to catch animals’ excrement, as well as cleaning equipment.

STREET RACES

They prohibit horse racing on public roads except for traditional races held on specific days of the year in specific locations, and limit circulation to certain arterial and distributor roads during particular times of the day or completely prohibited on certain roads.

The draft regulations can be downloaded from the pdf link below and feedback on these regulations will be received up till Friday the 18th March 2011 by email on karozzini.mitc@gov.mt