A service animal helps a rider board the bus

Animals on buses

We appreciate animals and pets in all shapes and sizes, so we have policies in place to ensure the safety of service and non-service animals when it comes to riding our buses.

Service animals

Service or guide animals are allowed on all Community Transit buses. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals must be harnessed, leashed or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal or other effective controls.

Non-service animals

Pets and non-service animals are allowed on local and Swift buses with the following rules:

  • Dogs must be on a leash and wear a commercially-produced muzzle that covers the mouth and is secured behind the head.
  • Small animals such as reptiles, birds or cats must be in a confined carrying container and held on the owner’s lap or at their feet.
  • In all cases, owners must have complete control of their animal at all times. Animals cannot occupy a seat, block the aisle, wander or disturb other passengers.
  • On Sound Transit buses, only service animals and small animals in carrying containers are allowed.

Non-service animals are not allowed on Community Transit commuter buses (route numbers in the 400s and 800s).