Regional public transport plan adopted

You may have heard or read about an upcoming public transport policy that will allow pets on our Metro services in the future.

This follows the adoption of the Regional Public Transport Plan (2025–35) by Council, which lays out the vision for public transport in Waitaha and outlines key priority areas such as improving our environment, growing patronage, accessibility, innovation and technology, and affordability.

It also includes a new policy that will allow passengers to travel with pets under conditions specified in the Metro code of conduct. Council has supported an amendment to the plan to permit small dogs on board as long as they are leashed and muzzled.

We will now need to take some time to work with our partners on how the new conditions are applied. An implementation date and specific rules for pet owners will be announced when ready through our website, newsletter and social media channels.

Consultation on the draft plan received 800 submissions, with almost all submitters sharing their views on pets on public transport. Over half of submissions (60 per cent) were supportive of passengers bringing pets on public transport if this was done in a way that didn’t take up passenger seats and was safe and hygienic for other travellers.