‘Second-class citizens’: Renewed public transport push for pet owners

Lord Mayor Clover Moore is leading renewed calls to allow animals on Sydney’s public transport, claiming current rules treat inner-city pet owners relying on buses and trains as second-class citizens.

In business papers published before the council’s meeting on Monday, Moore said she would write to Transport Minister Jo Haylen urging her to change the rules, having previously lobbied both the minister and her predecessors.

City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore is again pushing for NSW to allow pets on trains. Credit: Photo: Kate Geraghty

Pets are banned from Sydney and regional train services and stations. Pets may be taken on light rail services, buses and ferries with the driver’s permission.

In contrast, Victoria allows small animals on trains, trams or buses across its metropolitan and regional networks in a carrier, and larger dogs on trains wearing a lead and muzzle. Similar rules exist in Adelaide and on Canberra’s light rail.

“People with pets are still often made to feel like second-class citizens through unnecessarily restrictive policies about pets on public transport,” Moore wrote in her mayoral minute.

The council is home to more than 32,800 dogs and 26,800 cats, according to its pet registration data.

Noting that taking a pet on public transport was “a normal part of life” in cities such as San Francisco, Berlin, Paris and London, Moore claimed inner-city pet owners were particularly disadvantaged by the rules because they were less likely to own a car.

“Social housing tenants tell me they cannot get their pet to a vet because they do not have access to a car,” she wrote.

“Older people report that they have been unable to visit relatives because they could not leave their pets at home alone overnight and could not afford alternatives to public transport.”

Moore said reducing dependency on cars would be critical to meeting the council’s net-zero target by 2035.

Pushes for a change to the state’s rules are occurring on multiple fronts.

On Tuesday, Animal Justice Party MLC Emma Hurst will introduce a notice of motion to the state’s Legislative Council, calling for an amendment to the state’s passenger transport regulation.

Meanwhile, a separate public petition calling for companion animals to be allowed on train services has the support of Sydney independent MP Alex Greenwich. If it achieves 20,000 signatures, it will be scheduled for debate in the Legislative Assembly.

Before March’s state election, the NSW Greens said it wanted to allow pets on public transport if contained to a carrier or on a lead and muzzled, mimicking Victoria’s model.

Under its policy, pets would only be able to travel during off-peak times, and in two designated carriages of a train.

Community group Tails on the Rails, led by Andy Carnahan, a resident of Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands, is pitching for NSW to trial allowing pets on weekend trains, calling for pet owners to write to their local member to advocate for the change.

“Trains are less crowded, people are generally in weekend – rather than work – mode so are a little more tolerant of four-legged travellers,” the campaign’s website reads.

A spokesperson for Haylen said the Minister knew many passengers on public transport were pet owners and would benefit from being able to take their pets on board.

“However, these benefits must be carefully weighed with the needs of passengers with disability and transport workers,” the spokesperson said. “The minister is currently seeking advice from Transport for NSW, advocates and stakeholders to ensure we get the balance right.”

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