Small pets allowed on London Transit buses starting March 1
Global News
The idea was first pitched to the LTC by Londoner AnnaMaria Valastro, who argued that the move could help pet owners who have no other means of transportation.
Local transit users may soon see some furry passengers using the bus in London, Ont.
The London Transit Commission (LTC) met on Wednesday night to approve a policy change that would allow small pets to come on board.
Under the new policy, small pets are defined as a domesticated mammal or bird, such as cats, dogs and rabbits, that can be transported inside a fully-enclosed pet carrier.
The carrier needs to be small enough to be held on an owner’s lap, under their seat or at their feet, if they’re standing.
Exotic pets are excluded, meaning snakes and lizards will have to find another way around town. Previous rules already allowed service animals to ride the bus.
The updated policy comes into effect on March 1.
The idea was first pitched to the LTC by Londoner AnnaMaria Valastro, who argued in a letter to the commission that the move could help pet owners who have no other means of transportation.
That letter was sent in August and London Transit staff spent the following months digging into how other transit systems, such as those in Toronto, Brampton, Hamilton, Mississauga and Waterloo Region, were accommodating small furry passengers.