By requesting that dogs be allowed on buses, the opposition party in Montreal hopes to make them friendlier—or at least more animal-friendly. Aref Salem, a councilor from Ensemble Montréal, stated on Monday that he plans to present a motion at the city council meeting next week to allow dogs to ride on the STM buses.
A rule that was put in place in 2022, when dogs were first allowed to ride the city's métro, would be extended by this. In a Monday telephone interview, Salem stated,
"This is something that is already in place in roughly a dozen cities, including Toronto and Boston." He is requesting that a six-month pilot project be implemented by the Société de transport de Montréal to allow dogs on buses during off-peak hours, as is the case with the métro.
Salem said it's fair for all people who use public transportation because many dog owners don't live near a métro but still have to take their pets everywhere, including to veterinary appointments.
“If it’s a good idea on the métro, it should be a good idea on buses as well,” Salem said.
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However, despite its declaration that it was open to the concept, the STM's email response on Monday appeared to cast doubt on it. Amélie Régis,
A spokesperson for STM sent an email with the following statement: "We're not completely closing the doors to the initiative, but it won't be done in the short term." If they are in a cage or another closed container, dogs are already allowed, and guide dogs are always allowed.
"She stated that the STM is concerned that dogs could have an impact on bus cleanliness, punctuality, and universal accessibility because they could cause additional incidents that would necessitate buses stopping more frequently.
Because there is more space on a train than on a bus, the métro network is better suited for dogs. “Moreover, the current situation related to social challenges and financing doesn’t allow us to prioritize this initiative,” Régis added.
Salem, on the other hand, stated that the STM shouldn't rule out the idea without at least trying it and that the project will probably become a reality if the city council approves it. He is urging his fellow city councilors to support the motion.
A spokesperson for the Project Montréal administration, Simon Charron, declined to comment on the opposition's motion. He stated that the concept will be discussed at the subsequent council meeting.
Salem promises that his party will include the motion in its platform for the November 2 election if it is defeated next week. Ensemble Montréal will be led by former MP, tourism minister, and city councilor Soraya Martinez Ferrada in that election.
As part of a pilot project, dogs on leashes are allowed on the metro and the REM, but they are still not allowed on the commuter trains in the region.
Regulations on the Exo website state that dogs must be in cages if riding on a train or on any Exo regional bus.
Exo spokesperson Moise Alex Docteur said in an emailed statement that train trips can be long, and that can complicate cohabitation with pets who may not be used to staying in one place for a long period of time.
The doctor said Exo doesn’t intend to revisit this policy in the short term.