The walled city begins a pilot plan for electric tourist cars, replacing horses and promoting sustainable mobility.
Cartagena closed in 2025, marking a milestone for the city, the country and the world. With a symbolic act led by the Mayor Dumek Turbay Pazthe capital of Bolívar definitively put an end to the use of horses for tourist transportationa practice questioned for decades due to complaints of animal abuse.
The cutting of the ribbon was enough to officially begin the operation of the first 24 electric tourist cars so that Cartagenans and visitors would congregate in long lines with a single purpose: to walk the little streets of the Historic Center on board a mobility system 100% electric, sustainable and free of animal violence.
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A free pilot plan
The free tours are part of a three month pilot plandriven directly by the Cartagena Mayor’s Office and articulated by Administrative Department of Transit and Transportation (DATT)with the support of Umata, Corpoturismo, the General Secretariat, the Tourism Secretariat, Logistics Support areas, Human Talent and other district agencies.
Electric cars are driven by men and women trained by the Districtwho also fulfill the role of tour guidesproviding users with information about the history, architecture and attractions of the Historic Center.
More than 500 people on the first day
During the first day of the pilot plan, developed Tuesday December 30the 24 electric cars They circulated between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pmallowing more than 500 people You will enjoy a family tour, silent and respectful of the environment.
Each float performed on average four toursconsolidating this new alternative as a tourist plan that combines tradition, innovation and sustainability.
It should be noted that this first group is part of a total batch of 62 electric carswhich will be gradually incorporated into the system.
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Temporary suspension due to high influx
The District reported that this Wednesday December 31, 2025 and the Thursday January 1, 2026 The service will not be available, due to the high pedestrian flow in the Historic Center for the end and start of the year celebrations.
Once the mobility conditions during the high season have been evaluated, the company will be informed in a timely manner. reactivation of the pilot planwhich will continue to be free, with boarding points in the Car SquarePlaza de la Aduana, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Plaza de Santa Teresa and San Diego Park, during business hours 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
He Mayor Dumek Turbay Pazhighlighted the scope of this transformation for the city, pointing out that the animal welfare is the priority of this project.
“Without a doubt, we are marking a before and after in the tourist and sustainable mobility of Cartagenain order to preserve animal rights. It fills us with satisfaction to witness this new era, with responsible tourism that Cartagenans and visitors already enjoy. Cartagena, without a doubt, will always be the best plan.”
Technical details of electric floats
According to the technical annex of the project, the floats operate with solar energy through an electrical system. Each vehicle measures 1,548mm wide, 4 meters long and 2 meters highincluding the tent, and can accommodate six people: four passengers, a driver and a tour guide.
Among its main features are:
ergonomic seats
Retractable steps or running boards
Digital command board
Anticorrosive body
Complete lighting system (front, rear, brake, reverse, turn signals and headlights)
sound system
folding tent
In addition, the cars have satellite monitoring (GPS), interchangeable batteries and operate under the model Eco-Smart Mobilitywhich makes them silent vehicles free of polluting emissions.
Source: Integrated Information System
