The Ljubljana hackney drivers

Abstract

Hackney drivers occurred in Ljubljana at the end of the 18^th century. First available data on their number reach into the year 1814. At the beginning, hackney drivers were mainly from suburbs. They were decent and principled people who were correctly practising their vocation. Yet there were exceptions. Dissatisfied customers reported violators to the city authorities. The first regulation defining rights and duties of hackney drivers was adopted on November 11^th 1865. Two more regulations followed, the first in 1897 and the next in 1909. Regular hackney carriage stopping places were in Mestni trg opposite to the town hall, in Dunajska cesta in front of the hotel Slon, and in Kongresni trg. In 1911, the first two so-called cab/drivers occurred; today we call them taxi drivers.