At the end of the 19th century, only carriages and carts, such as the popular phaeton, travelled on the streets of Batumi.

From the history of Batumi
At the end of the 19th century, only carriages and carts, such as the popular phaeton, travelled on the streets of Batumi. In 1894, there were 96 coachmen in Batumi and the number of carriage owners reached four hundred. The abundance of carriages was related to the need to transport cargo. The ships mainly transported oil products from ships to factories and vice versa.
The carriage, a symbol of luxury and status, was a rare sight in the small town of Batumi. Nevertheless, demand for these exclusive journeys remained high, especially at weekends. This was the time when the wealthy inhabitants of Batumi took a trip to the landscapes of Makhinjauri and Green Cape.
The price of the carriage service depended on the time of day. From 1 a.m. to 7 a.m., the price of a carriage ride was twice as high. There was also an unwritten rule. On the first night of the New Year, at Christmas and on Epiphany, the fixed price did not apply and you could hire a carriage by arranging a ride with a coachman.
Coachmen and wainers had special signs. They were bound by strict rules and regulations. They had to carry an identity card, keep a clean appearance, not smoke and were not allowed to drive under the influence of alcohol. They were also forbidden to carry noisy or disruptive passengers and the ringing of bells was strictly regulated.

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