Thousands Back Trial of Pet-Friendly Carriages on NSW Trains and Metro Services

A campaign to trial a pet-friendly carriage on trains and metro services in NSW is gaining traction, despite similar calls falling flat in previous years. More than 6,500 people have signed a petition in support of the two-year trial, which would require pet owners to keep their dogs on a lead or in an approved carrier if riding in designated animal-friendly carriages.

Current public transport guidelines prohibit people from bringing dogs into train and metro stations and onto carriages across the state. Dogs in carriers may be permitted on buses, ferries and light rail services with the permission of the driver or crew. Different rules apply to accredited assistance animals, which can accompany their owners on all NSW metro, train, bus, ferry, light rail and taxi services.

According to the petition, the current rules disadvantage people who do not own a car, including apartment residents, older people, low-income earners and some people with disabilities. Petition organiser Rosemary Lee runs a social club for small dog owners in Sydney, saying some had difficulty attending events due to being unable to take their pets on public transport.

"We have a government that's very pro-taking public transport to events ... but dog owners can't use it, we're banned from it," she said.

"That makes no sense to me whatsoever."

Public transport guidelines around passengers carrying pets differ across the country, with small animals allowed on buses, trams, trains and some V/Line services in Victoria. Ms Lee pointed to Victoria as evidence of the success of pet-friendly public transport policies.

"What we're asking for is one pet-friendly carriage on all New South Wales trains and for a two-year trial to see how it goes," she said.

Ms Lee acknowledges some may have concerns about the proposal.

"At the moment, pets are travelling on trains. They're just not doing it legally and [pet owners are] risking getting a fine," she said.

"This [proposed trial] restricts all those animals into one carriage, they will have to be on a lead, they will have to be muzzled."

"So it actually removes any chance you've got of sitting beside a dog or an animal ... if you do have an allergy or a concern. The only people that should be in the pet carriage are people that like pets or people that have got a pet."

Ms Lee recognised some had also raised concerns about the implications of having pet-friendly carriages during peak travel times.

"What we're asking for is exactly the same as what we have with the present quiet carriages. People haven't raised that as an issue with the quiet carriages, saying 'now there is one less carriage for me who likes to talk'," she said.

"It's up to Transport for NSW to ensure that there's always enough carriages made available."

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the department was aware of the petition and "welcomes community feedback on any issue related to public transport."

The current petition is open until November 4, with at least 20,000 submissions required for the proposal to be debated in NSW parliament.