Traveling by NYC public transit with a small dog
Photo by Alan Turkus
Under Section 1050.9 (h) of the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (“MTA”) Rules of Conduct, pets may travel on NYC buses and subways if they are “enclosed in a container and carried in a manner which would not annoy other passengers” (as always, the container requirement does not apply to service animals).
Similar provisions allow dogs in carriers on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), where your dog must be “properly confined for shipment,” and the Long Island Bus system (LIB), where “small pets may be brought on board if they are confined to an approved carrier.” I couldn’t find anything written about Metro-North Railroad‘s pet policy (MNR), but the representative I spoke to said that pets under 70 lbs. are allowed as long as they are in a carrier or on a secure leash and do not cause a disturbance or pose a threat to others. The conductor is the final arbiter, if a discussion arises about your pet.
I couldn’t find any definition of ”an approved carrier.” Practically speaking, however, it surely means a carrier similar to those required by the airlines, with sufficient ventilation panels and a waterproof bottom. It should be small enough to sit on your lap and not take up another seat.
The Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (PATH) allows dogs in carriers on its trains: “Unconfined animals except seeing eye dogs or other assistance animal are prohibited.”
The New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) operates bus, light rail and commuter rail services throughout New Jersey and into New York City and Philadelphia. Its website provides a pet policy for only one of its light rail lines (the Hudson-Bergen Line): “Small pets are allowed in carry-on travel cages.” A NJ Transit representative confirmed in a phone conversation, however, that that policy applies to all NJ Transit options.
Based on the comments I’ve seen on forums where people have discussed the hazards of NYC subway and bus travel with pets (see, for example, UrbanHound’s “Hound Talk”), I strongly recommend putting your dog completely into her carrier and closing the top before you enter the subway, and keeping her contained in her carrier for the entire journey.
I also suggest printing out the relevant passages from the MTA, LIRR, LIB or PATH rules and regulations, and tucking them in a pocket of your carrier, for those maddening times when you encounter a driver or employee (or fellow passenger) who’s not aware that small dogs in carriers are acceptable. If you don’t prevail, though, consider the practical advice of a fellow traveler: “I just waited for the next bus.”
For other posts about traveling with dogs on public transit, take a look at Dog Jaunt’s handy guide!
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