Friday 27 April 2018

From the Office of Auckland Councillor Cathy Casey

Auckland Council to consider allowing pets on public transport

A motion put forward by Councillor Cathy Casey to allow pets on Auckland’s public transport network will be debated by the Council’s Planning Committee next week on Tuesday 1st May.

The motion asks councillors to support the carriage of pets on all modes of public transport across Auckland. Pets are already allowed on ferries, but not on buses or trains. If the motion is successful Auckland Transport would be requested to review its pet carriage policies and contracts to allow pets to be carried in a safe and consistent way on Auckland’s buses and trains.

The debate in Auckland follows a decision in March 2018 by the Greater Wellington Regional Council to allow contained domestic pets to travel on Wellington’s buses and trains, provided they are enclosed in a suitable pet carrier and don’t pose a health or safety risk to other passengers.

One of the main reasons behind the shift is to provide more inclusive ways for domestic pets to be transported to vet services. Currently, this must be done by private motor vehicle or taxi, which can be costly or impossible for some households.

Councillor Casey says “Many international cities such as Vancouver and Amsterdam, and now Wellington, allow pets on public transport. It’s now Auckland’s turn to step up and be a more pet friendly city”.

Manukau Ward Councillor Efeso Collins supports the motion, saying “Allowing carriage of pets on our transport system is a welcome and overdue move, and would allow more equitable access to vets, for example, for a number of my constituents and their pets”.

Councillor Casey urges Mayor Goff and other councillors to support the motion on Tuesday.

There are almost 100,000 registered dogs in Auckland and perhaps double or triple that number of domestic cats.

Full details of the proposal can be found on Auckland Council’s website at http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2018/05/PLA_20180501_AGN_6732_AT_WEB.htm

ENDS

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