Auckland Transport has given small pets something to look forward to by soon allowing them to board the buses in Auckland.
From December 26, owners of small pets are allowed to bring them on all buses in Auckland in approved carriers on their laps.
Auckland Transport will be trialling the service for small pets for six weeks and will look at allowing larger dogs on board buses as well.
Auckland Transport's group manager of Metro Services Darek Koper said trains have allowed customers to bring their furry friends on board since 2020 and it was time for buses to do the same.
"In the coming months, we know there will be many regular train customers who will be taking buses instead - due to KiwiRail's Rail Network Rebuild programme - so we wanted to provide pet owners with the same service on our buses that they have enjoyed on trains," Koper said in a statement.
Koper added it is a step towards making Auckland more pet-friendly.
"We are finally catching up with international cities where pets are welcome on all forms of public transport."
Here are the rules if you want to take your barking buddy on the bus:
- Pets can only travel on buses at off-peak times (between 9am and 3pm, and then after 6:30pm to the end of service on weekdays, and all-day weekends and public holidays).
- Domestic pets are to be enclosed in a suitable pet carrier that is small enough to be stored securely under the seat or held on the passenger's lap.
- Passengers travelling with domestic pets are responsible for their pets and must keep them caged and under control at stations, getting on or off the bus, and while onboard the bus.
- Passengers travelling with domestic pets are responsible for all pet mess and must ensure that any pet mess is cleaned up before they get off the bus.
- Passengers may be refused entry to board the bus if it is full.
- Passengers may be asked to leave the bus with their domestic pet if the animal is causing, or likely to cause, a safety risk or nuisance to other customers.
- Domestic pets travel free of charge on services.
- Pets are not permitted on school buses or the upper deck of any bus.
- You may be asked to move if an assistance dog boards to avoid it being distracted by other animals.
- Only one pet per person is allowed.
