On a streetcar in Toronto I had to stand while a dog occupied a seat. The TTC driver said he didn't want a fight. I can't vote for this proposal unless there's a "people first" solution on public transit.

Transit is already too crowded during rush hour. The rights of people (of all ages) comes before the rights of dogs...

I'd keep the current policy - registered assistance dogs only. All other animals in a carrier.

Dog ownership is a choice. There are already more than enough dog parks in the city. If a dog owner cannot manage - then don't be a dog owner. Get a cat or a bird or another pet which is easier to manage.

I agree with Janna. I have allergies to several trees in Vancouver, I have asthma attacks with people smoking close to me, etc. I don't go around only thinking about myself and how to make the life of others more complicated.

As I previously mentioned, in several parts of the developed world dogs are allowed in public transit as long as they are muzzled.

Shame on you, K8ie! Seriously, any idea can be argued against by attaching an alarmist boogeyman outcome to it, the tactic, however, won't advance change and, when the alarmist outcome posited is based in conjecture, it hardly counts toward balanced consideration. For example, I have an extreme allergy to Soy but that doesn't make the entire movement toward less protein "lose my vote", and I've had unpleasant experiences with large breed, aggressive humans on the transit system but that doesn't make the movement toward less individual car trips and more transit “lose my vote”. Every good idea could be dismissed using this same tactic - attach an extreme outcome to the idea, posit a related allergy, and then dump on the idea. How about this: require muzzles on all dogs on transit, not because it's necessary but because it wouldn't harm the dogs and it would put an end to the nay sayers. Allergy arguments are no-go-tactics too ... and here’s why: if we are going to structure environmental policy around the avoidance of allergens, all ideas that increase trees, plant matter, and growing local food are out!

K8ie - I see your point... Maybe only approved dogs with a special licence...

Too bad for people with allergies I guess! I know I certainly don't want to be on a bus with a large aggressive breed dog. This doesn't get my vote...

I am one of those people who uses a car almost exclusively to transport my dogs! It might seem odd to those who haven't experienced this, but it really is limiting to exercise and outing opportunities, for women in particular, if you can't get there with your dog. I hike every weekend and walk to work, all with my dogs. I wouldn't feel safe going on any hike in the woods or foreshores if I didn't have a canine companion. Sadly, sexual assaults and homicide rates are compelling in support of this "feeling" ... at any rate, one simply can not get to the Fraser River, Pacific Spirit Park, and North Shore mountains on foot with a dog. They can't endure the same summer temperatures that people can, and after age 6 they really do start to slow down, so that while I often use the bikeways and parkways for our walks, eventually they can't make a six hour trek which means driving somewhere in order to walk or hike. If I didn't have a dog, I'd bike to the same location BUT then I wouldn't be comfortable walking alone when I got there. We even call our car the "pup mobile" since that is its exclusive use. I am certain I would use transit to all local hikes if I could bring my dog with me.

@Viviane there were two ideas that were the same, so i merged them to keep the votes and comments in one spot. A limitation about the platform is that the description for one of the ideas disappears. Don't worry, your votes are still there!

Weird that my idea has changed ownership. Even though my original message was erased, I still think we need to support this cause.

I agree with this! I keep thinking "hey I should get rid of my car." Then I remember that I could not easily get to the vet, or go to my favourite park with the dog, or take the dog over to visit my mother. I would be totally fine paying an additional fee to bring my pet on the bus.

I think in many cities you just can't have your animal on public transportation during peak commuting hours. That makes a lot of sense to me. Most people around me cycle and walk. They all have cars though or else they could not travel around with their pets.

Dogs (wearing a muzzle) are also welcomed aboard trains throughout Israel. It is a wonderful way to use already existing green infrastructure and expand it to serve and attract a wider part of the population.

I cycle everywhere as I am not a car owner and would personally use the sky-train responsibly with my dog.

Transport options like the sea-bus have already come up with their solution for transporting pets and supply users with a mobile crate with wheels for you to roll on to the sea-bus and put aside when you reach the other side.

When the intention is there, there are many different solutions possible for making this happen.

Please vote and share on Facebook !
This is a positive and a fairly easy initiative to implement :)

Dogs on public transpo. could greatly enrich both owner and pet's life. Also, since the option to charge a rider fee for the pet exists (ex: a reduced fee like with children) it could potentially increase Translink revenue - something desperately needed in Van!

When I saw it in action I surprisingly found I liked the idea of muzzle because it took the human/owner guess work out of the "does my pet like every person/every dog" equation. Across the board, bites were not a possibility.

Starting with the allowing of dogs on public transit during non-peak hours could work as a way to gradually and warmly introduce pets to public transpo users.

Great idea - I strongly support this proposal!

I completely agree! It just makes sense. Owners who know that their dogs are not good with other dogs or with people know not to take their dogs on public transit. It is so wonderful to see animals on transit when visiting other cities. Vancouver is such a dog-friendly city in many aspects, it makes sense for dogs to be allowed on transit.