Petition To Trial Pet-Friendly Train Carriages Reaches 23,000+ Submissions

A petition to trial pet-friendly carriages on NSW Trains and Metro services has cleared the 20,000-signature threshold for a parliamentary debate.

The petition had 23,395 signatures after closing on November 2, more than the minimum needed to be automatically scheduled for debate in the NSW Legislative Assembly.

Petition organiser Rosemary Lee runs a Sydney social club for dog owners.

Her petition is pushing for a two-year trial of a designated pet-friendly carriage on NSW trains and Metro services.

Lee told City Hub she was inspired to start the petition by the wide impact on a section of the community. She believes that this is a solvable issue that could help out the homeless, for example, who are more vulnerable and may not be able to afford other means of transporting with their pets.

She also told ABC News that some members trying to attend her social club have had difficulty making it 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.”

49% of homes now have pets, according to Animal Medicines Australia. Lee believes the public transport policy should be more inclusive to better reflect the population.

Current rules

Currently, public transport guidelines prohibit people from bringing dogs into train and Metro stations, and onto carriages.

Passengers who bring their pets on risk being fined – unless they have the permission of the driver or staff. 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.

Lee told City Hub that pets are already allowed on public transport in Victoria, including trains, and she expects similar guidelines to apply if implemented here.

The proposed trial will restrict all dogs to one carriage, with requirements that they will have to be on a lead and muzzled. Lee compared it to the quiet carriage that currently exists.

What’s next?

Similar campaigns have proved unsuccessful in previous years, with the City of Sydney previously backing a petition to allow pets on public transport in 2023.

There is some opposition from members of the public concerned with crowding during peak hours.

Alex Greenwich MP, who who sponsored and promoted the petition, told City Hub they were still awaiting confirmation on whether the bill will be debated in parliament.

Lee said, “We were hoping for this year, but I don’t know whether it’s gonna be this year, ’cause there’s only two sittings left of Parliament.”

Transport for NSW said it was aware of the campaign and welcomed feedback on public transport-related matters.