Pets are now allowed on Sound Transit rides, including the agency's light rail and Sounder trains, during a new pet policy pilot program.
During the pilot, which will last through spring, riders will be able to bring their dogs on a short leash — if they are well behaved — or in a carrier, the transportation agency said. Cats and other small pets must be in secure carriers.
Before the pilot program, dogs had been allowed on Sound Transit transportation, but they needed to be in a small container. King County Metro allows small dogs to stay on their owner's lap on its buses.
Riders must control their pets, clean up after them, and make sure they don’t take up seats or block aisles or doors, Sound Transit said. Rules for service animals unchanged, per the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Signs detailing the “newer, simpler guidelines” will be posted at Sound Transit facilities in the coming weeks, the agency said.
Data on operations, safety and accessibility will be collected during the pilot along with employee feedback to determine if the policy should be made permanent, the agency said. Sound Transit staff will keep watch to see how the new pet policy works under day-to-day operations.
Riders can report problems onboard to Sound Transit security by phone at (206) 398-5268.
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