Buses

Can I take my dog on a bus? – it depends on the company you are traveling with!

Unlike trains, there is no national legislation requiring buses to accept dogs, and although dogs are allowed on board lots of bus services, some restrictions and charges apply.

We have summarised the conditions of carriage of national and local bus companies below to give guidance on their pet policies.

 

dog on bus

National Buses

First Group –  only one dog or small animal may be carried per Customer (at the driver’s discretion). All dogs must be kept on leads at all times and dogs must be muzzled where they are likely to be dangerous or where this is legally required in accordance with the Dangerous Dogs Act or other equivalent legislation. Small animals must be caged, boxed or kept on
a lead. Any animal carried must remain under control and must not be allowed to sit on the seats.

Megabus – only service animals are allowed to travel on the buses.

National Express – only Assistance Dogs are allowed on National Express services.

Stagecoach – One well behaved dog which is not a danger or may cause a nuisance for other customers may travel at the discretion of the driver. A fare may be charged depending on the route.

 

South East Buses

Abellio – Accompanied, well behaved dogs or other small animal which will not be a danger or a nuisance for other customers or our staff are allowed to travel with you.

Arriva – welcomes all types of assistance dog free of charge when accompanying either a registered disabled person or a trainer who can show an appropriate means of identification.
Other dogs are accepted at the discretion of the driver. All dogs must be on a harness or lead and, if necessary, muzzled in accordance with the Dangerous Dogs Act. They reserve the right to ask you to leave the vehicle at any time if you permit your dog to behave unacceptably.

Cardinal

Carlone

Compass Travel – Domestic pets may be carried at the discretion of the driver. Dogs are not allowed on seats, and must be kept under full control on a leash at all times. All other pets must be carried in a suitable pet carrier. Pets must not be allowed to cause a nuisance to other passengers. Assistance dogs will always be allowed to accompany their owners.

Courtney Buses – allow pets and sell a ‘Rover’ ticket which is charged at £1 for the day. Registered guide and hearing dogs or aid dogs will be carried without charge.

Excetera – Assistance dogs for disabled customers, guide dogs, and hearing dogs are permitted to travel on Company vehicles at no charge.
Other dogs or inoffensive animals can be brought onto the vehicle only if permitted by the driver, who has complete discretion in this matter. Reasons why animals will not be carried include if the animal appears dangerous or likely to upset either other customers or animals already on the vehicle. No animal should sit or be placed on vehicle seats. It is the responsibility of the customer bringing an animal onto a Company vehicle to ensure it is being kept under proper control at all times on a lead or in a suitable container, and does not cause a nuisance to the driver
or other customers.

London Buses (Transport for London) – You can take an assistance dog on our bus and Underground services. You can also take any other dog or inoffensive animal on our bus and Underground services, unless there is a good reason for us to refuse it (such as if the animal seems dangerous). You must keep it under control on a lead or in a suitable container, and must not allow it on a seat. Staff are not allowed to take charge of any animal.

Metrobus – assistance dogs are welcome aboard at all times. Other dogs (or a small animal) are welcome at the discretion of drivers and must be well behaved and of no danger or nuisance to other customers or employees. Dogs must travel in accordance with the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Please remember that animals are not permitted to travel on seats (although they can sit on your lap)

Metroline – Guide dogs and other assistance dogs must be allowed to travel at all times and all animals travel free. Other dogs and „inoffensive‟ animals may be carried at the discretion of the driver. Under certain circumstances the driver can refuse to allow animals on the bus. In such circumstance the driver must be courteous.

Reading Buses – Dogs are welcome on all Reading Buses with a Doggy Rover Day Ticket, which allows unlimited travel on our network for your four-legged friend. Guide dogs, hearing for the deaf dogs and accessibility dogs all travel free.  Other small pets may be carried (they are not allowed on the seats) at a charge of £1.00.  For your own comfort and theirs, we recommend that you travel off-peak whenever possible.

Safeguard – Working dogs may travel at any time. Other dogs will be carried at the discretion of the driver. No charges are made for dogs.

Thames Travel – A maximum of two dogs at any time are allowed on any of our buses. if you wish to travel with two or more dogs you will need permission from the driver

Swindon’s Bus Company – A maximum of two dogs at any time are normally allowed on any buses however this is subject to the discretion of the driver similarly if you wish to travel with two or more dogs you will need permission from the driver

 

South West

First Kernow –  only one dog or small animal may be carried per Customer (at the driver’s discretion). All dogs must be kept on leads at all times and dogs must be muzzled where they are likely to be dangerous or where this is legally required in accordance with the Dangerous Dogs Act or other equivalent legislation. Small animals must be caged, boxed or kept on
a lead. Any animal carried must remain under control and must not be allowed to sit on the seats.

MoreBus (Wiltshire and Dorset) – a maximum of two dogs are allowed on any one bus at a time, at the discretion of the driver. They must be well behaved and not be a nuisance and of no danger to other customers. Where appropriate, they must travel in accordance with the Dangerous Dogs Act. The driver has the right to ask you to leave the vehicle with your animal at any time if they feels that the animal in question is a danger to the driver, the passengers or you.

Plymouth City Bus – assistance dogs are welcome aboard at all times. Other dogs (or a small animal) are welcome at the discretion of drivers and must be well behaved and of no danger or nuisance to other customers or employees. Dogs must travel in accordance with the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Please remember that animals are not permitted to travel on seats (although they can sit on your lap)

A-Line Coaches – Nothing to be found on the website

First Bus + More Bus – Dogs are allowed to take a first bus at the driver’s discretion so long as they are on a lead at all times and muzzled if they are likely to be dangerous

Transport For Cornwall – A maximum of two dogs at any time are normally allowed on any buses however this is subject to the discretion of the driver similarly if you wish to travel with two or more dogs you will need permission from the driver

Central

 Johnsons Coaches  Dogs are allowed to travel as long as they are well behaved and on a lead at all times.
 
Arriva Midlands – Dogs are permitted on buses at the absolute discretion of the driver. Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs are permitted at all times. There is no charge for dogs including Assistance Dogs
 
Kinch Buses –  Small dogs may be carried by theirs owners at the owners risk. No dogs are allowed on seats. The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry any dog.
 
Centre Bus – Dogs, on a lead, may be carried provided that they do not occupy a seat, do not cause inconvenience to other passengers and that there is sufficient room for them. The charge is 50p per single journey. Warrington’s Own Buses reserve the right not to carry any dog.
 
Midland Classic – No passenger may bring any animal onto a vehicle except in the case of a dog accompanying the holder of a card issued by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and for hearing and other assistance dogs.
 
Trent Barton Buses – Small dogs may be carried by theirs owners at the owners risk. No dogs are allowed on seats. The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry any dog.
 
SkyLink – Small dogs may be carried by theirs owners at the owners risk. No dogs are allowed on seats. The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry any dog.
 

East

Border Bus – All dogs are welcome on board our buses. They must remain on a lead and be seated on the floor at all times.

Feline Travel – Surprisingly despite the name nothing on website

Konect Bus – Yes, as long as it is well behaved and does not sit on the seats.

Lynx – Well behaved dogs or small animals which will not be a nuisance or danger to other customers may be carried on our vehicles, but should not be allowed onto the seats

Sanders Coaches – Well behaved dogs or small animals which will not be a nuisance or danger to other passengers may be carried on our vehicles but will not be allowed onto the seats

Simonds –  animals are carried at the absolute discretion of the driver or inspector of the vehicle and the driver who shall be entitled to request removal of the animal from the bus at any time.

North East

Arriva bus – Dogs are permitted on buses at the absolute discretion of the driver. Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs are permitted at all times. There is no charge for dogs including Assistance Dogs.

Go North East – buses are dog-friendly and at the discretion of our drivers we allow up to two well-behaved dogs on board each bus at any time

Borders buses – All dogs are welcome on board our buses. They must remain on a lead and be seated on the floor at all times.

North West

High Peak Buses – Unaccompanied dogs should be charged the standard adult fare. unless can be carried on lap where it is charged locally at the absolute discretion of the driver on safety grounds.

Warrington’s Own Buses – Dogs, on a lead, may be carried provided that they do not occupy a seat, do not cause inconvenience to other passengers and that there is sufficient room for them. The charge is 50p per single journey. Warrington’s Own Buses reserve the right not to carry any dog.

DG Bus – Nothing to be found on website

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