Queensland ferry, CityCat trail to change open public transport up to pets nationwide
Pet owners could soon be able to bring their four-legged friends on public transport, if recommendations from a TransLink trial prove positive. See the pet-friendly pubs near you too.
Pets
Don't miss out on the headlines from Pets. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Brisbane has long been known as the River City and now its four-legged residents will have the opportunity to experience the joy water travel.
TransLink is running a three-month trial allowing pet dogs to travel on board Brisbane River ferries and CityCats.
Brisbane City Council and TransLink were persuaded to relax the rules after a survey of 5000 people found 86 per cent to be in favour of sharing public transport with our furry friends.
A YouGov Galaxy Poll conducted for Dogs of Oz suggested dogs get a ruff deal in general when it comes to accessing public space.
MORE DOGS OF OZ
Do you have Australia’s Top Dog? Enter here and WIN!
Most of those surveyed (76 per cent) support the idea of dogs being allowed to exercise on beaches during designated hours and 71 per cent believed there should be more designated off leash areas.
More than half said dogs should be allowed on public transport.
Head of TransLink Matt Longland said customer feedback during the trial had been positive and the majority of travelling dogs had been well behaved.
“The Brisbane trial allows pet dogs to travel for free in off-peak times and will provide TransLink with an opportunity to gain feedback and insights from our customers and our ferry operators regarding this policy change – making sure it is safe and operationally feasible,” he said.
The trial ends at the beginning of March and will likely set the tone for other states.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore is a big advocate for pet inclusion in everyday life.
“For many years, I have called on the government to make it easier to bring pets on public transport, or have them in apartments, retirement villages and rental properties,” Ms Moore said.
“In other global cities like New York City and London, pets are allowed to travel with their owners as long as they are well behaved and remain on leads.
“It’s a model that should be pursued here in Australia, to allow pet owners to visit the park, the vet or family and friends without needing to drive.”
In the Brisbane trial, dogs are required to wear a muzzle and to ride in the open stern compartment of the ferries and CityCats in off-peak periods.
Owners are limited to taking a maximum of two dogs on board and they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Upon completion of the trial, TransLink will review customer and staff feedback to make recommendations regarding a permanent implementation of the initiative.
Originally published as Queensland ferry, CityCat trail to change open public transport up to pets nationwide