Today, if you are in a hurry, the easiest option is to call a taxi that will arrive in a few minutes. In the early 20th century, the role of modern taxi drivers was performed by carriage drivers, and their main stand was located near the current cinema 'Rodina'.

The use of carriages was regulated by special rules established by the Penza City Administration. Only individuals aged 18 to 60, with good vision, hearing, and reaction, were allowed to drive a carriage. It was also required that the horse be in excellent physical condition and not exhausted. A foreman, elected from among the carriage drivers, monitored compliance with these rules. However, the authorities often overlooked the enforcement of these requirements. There was fierce competition among the drivers: at the wave of a potential client's hand, several carriages would rush towards them, risking to run over the passenger. The fare was determined based on the division of Penza into three districts. For example, a ride from the current cinema 'Rodina' to the Penza-I station cost 45 kopecks, and if traveling further towards the Tube Factory (Zif), an additional 15 kopecks had to be paid. Overall, the services of carriage drivers in Penza were quite expensive.

Additionally, one could order a carriage for a specific time, and an hour would cost 60 kopecks. On holidays, the fare was significantly higher.