Whether you are travelling with a disability assist dog or a household pet, here is everything you need to know about bringing animals on Metro buses and ferries.
Find details below on when and how pets can travel, the conditions that apply, and what to expect at the Bus Interchange and bus stops.
On this page:
- Disability assistance dogs
- Pets on Metro services
- General conditions for travelling with pets
- Conditions for pets in carriers
- Conditions for small dogs leashed and muzzled
- Taking pets through the Bus Interchange and other stops
- Pet safety and comfort
- Engagement sessions at the Bus Interchange
Disability assistance dogs
All bus services welcome passengers accompanied by a certified disability assist dogs. View the authorised certifying organisations here or read more in the in the Dog Control Act 1996.
Pets on Metro services
From 1 December Metro is allowing customers to bring their small domestic pets on bus and ferry services across Greater Christchurch during off-peak hours.
This is great news for pet owners, but we have set some rules to ensure we balance the needs of pet owners, other customers, Metro staff, and animal welfare.
Small pet definition
Small pets accepted onboard Metro services are domestic pets, small enough that they would fit comfortably in an approved carrier (no bigger than 58.4cm L × 38.7cm W × 33cm H).
General conditions for travelling with pets
When you can travel
- You can travel with your domestic pet on weekdays between 9:00am–3:00pm, after 6:30pm, and all-day on weekends and public holidays.
- You may be unable to board the bus or ferry with your pet if it is too crowded — this is at the driver’s discretion.
How your pet must travel
- Pets must travel in an approved carrier (no bigger than 58.4cm L × 38.7cm W × 33cm H) that fits on your lap or under the seat in front of you.
- Small dogs can also travel on a lead and wearing a cage-type (basket-type) muzzle.
- Pets should not take a seat, and there is no additional fare required to bring a pet on Metro services.
Responsibility and behaviour
- You are responsible for your pet’s mess and must ensure that any pet mess is cleaned up before exiting the bus.
- You may be refused entry or asked to leave the bus if your pet is likely to or is causing a safety risk or nuisance to others.
- Customers with pets should avoid taking seats prioritised for customers with accessibility needs. You may be asked to move if a disabled customer or a disability assist dog boards.
- The Metro Code of Conduct also applies to customers travelling with pets, along with all conditions on this page.
Where pets are not allowed
- Pets are not allowed to touch the seats.
- Pets are not permitted on school buses.
- Pets are not permitted on the upper deck of double decker buses.
Conditions for pets in carriers
- Pet carriers must be small enough to fit under a seat, or on the customer’s lap.
- Carriers must not be bigger than 58.4cm L × 38.7cm W × 33cm H.
- Only one carrier is permitted per customer.
Suitable approved domestic pet carriers (must fit on customer’s lap or under seat):
Unapproved domestic pet carriers:
Conditions for small dogs leashed and muzzled
- Small dogs must be leashed and wearing a cage muzzle (basket-type) when not inside an approved carrier.
- 'Small dogs’ must be small enough that they would fit comfortably in an approved carrier (no bigger than 58.4cm L × 38.7cm W × 33cm H).
- Customers travelling with small dogs leashed and muzzled must carry them on their lap — pets are not permitted to make contact with seats on the bus.
- If your dog is not clearly a small dog, we encourage the use of an approved carrier to ensure a consistent boarding experience.
- Only one dog is permitted per customer.
- Leashed dogs must stay outside at the rear of the Diamond Harbour Ferry.
Approved muzzle:
Unapproved muzzle:
Taking pets through the Bus Interchange and other stops
- You can board and get off with your pet at any stop, following local dog control bylaws. Check where you can take your dog on the Christchurch City Council's website.
- At the Bus Interchange, pets are only allowed when transferring between Metro services. They are not permitted for other purposes, and all other rules for entering the interchange apply.
- At Riccarton Road, please keep pets in the outdoor area rather than inside the facilities.
Pet safety and comfort
A safe trip starts with making sure your pet is comfortable and well-supported. Our approved carriers and muzzles follow SPCA guidance to protect your animal’s welfare while travelling. For advice on choosing and fitting a muzzle correctly, visit the SPCA website. You can also read more about best practices for safe and humane pet carriers on the SPCA’s companion animal transport page.
Engagement sessions at the Bus Interchange
We have scheduled four engagement sessions at the Bus Interchange where customers can get familiar with the approved carrier and muzzle. If you have any questions or would like to clarify what the approved carrier and muzzle look like, please join us at the dates and times below:
- 1 December 10:30am - 12:30pm
- 4 December 10:30am - 12:30pm
- 8 December 10:30am - 12:30pm
- 10 December 10:30am - 12:30pm