If you’re familiar with Victoria’s iconic horse-drawn carriage rides through James Bay that depart from around the BC legislature, you’re probably familiar with the three prime parking spots they take up as well.
Capital City Tally-Ho and Sightseeing Company, Victoria Single Horse Drawn Carriage Tours and Black Beauty Line are Victoria’s three horse-drawn carriage companies and all three of them have contracts with the City that have now expired.
They use parking stalls located on Menzies Street at Belleville and for the last four years, they have all paid $1,114.29 per month—the going rate for full time parking in Victoria.
Their new contracts, should the City decide to renew them, would allow them another four years in their parking stall, but they would have to pay a new rate of $1,340.24 per month, which accounts for the extension of the time range people must pay for parking.
City staff have put together a report for city council’s approval that will be considered in Thursday, March 14th’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
The report offers three options for consideration:
- Renew the parking stand agreements for horse-drawn vehicles with the increased rate until December 31st, 2028—the City staff recommended option.
- Decide on a different length of parking stand agreement and the associated fees.
- Direct staff to report back to Council on the different options for the three parking stands such as returning them to vehicle parking or expanding them to other uses.
According to the report, the previously paid $1,114.29 per month is what the City has currently budgeted for in their 2024 Financial Plan.
