HART News and Alerts

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority’s
Pets on Transit Procedure

Effective September 1, 2006 HART will be introducing a new Pets on Transit Policy.

In response to community request HART will allow for the transport of small pets on all transit vehicles. Pets must be contained in secure, clean, hand-held, and leak proof cages. The cage/carrier must be small enough to fit in the owners lap. During times when the transit system is likely to be crowded, passengers are asked not to transport pets.
The program is geared to have minimal impact on the transit drivers and passengers. The conditions are very specific, and are based on experience from other transit systems.

Conditions for Pet Travel

• Pets must be contained in a secure, clean, hand-held, leak-proof cage/carrier.

• Cage/carrier must be free from sharp edges and of a size that is small enough to fit in owner’s lap. Cage/carrier may not block the aisle at any time.

• Passengers should hold onto their cage/carrier at all times and are responsible for the safety of their pets.

• The transport of pets on public transit will be limited to one hand-held cage/carrier per person.

• Where, in the opinion of the transit driver, should the size or conduct of the pet, or the condition of the cage, be a disruptive element or pose a risk to the health or safety of the driver or other passengers, the driver may refuse to allow the pet to board or ask the customer to remove the animal form the transit vehicle.

• Passengers are asked to refrain from transporting pets during times when the transit system is likely to be crowded. Passengers will be refused passage with the pets in crowed conditions where only standing room is available on the transit vehicle.

• The cage must be securely latched at all times. No animals will be taken out of the cages at any time while onboard the transit vehicle.
These rules do not apply to Service Animals. Service Animals are allowed on transit vehicles at all times.