Have you ever traveled with your dog on the bus ? Today we discuss this means of transport as an option for traveling with your pet. Pay attention!
The pet-friendly movement and transport
When we go on vacation, it is common to take a few days off, but it is also the ideal time to enjoy moments in the company of our beloved pet in a different environment and making different plans.
In fact, more and more people prefer to travel with their pets and enjoy them while visiting other cities. A trend that we see more and more frequently in restaurants, beaches and shops, where it is common to see how they are joining the pet-friendly movement.
A movement that has made more and more airlines, taxis and train, bus and subway companies adapt to current times and allow access to their services to users who want to bring their pets, albeit with some restrictions.
What are the requirements for traveling with dogs on the bus?
Until recently, the possibility of taking our pets on public transport was left to the discretion of each company, but the new Animal Welfare Act establishes that dogs can travel on the bus as long as “ they do not constitute a risk to people, other animals and things, without prejudice to the provisions of the regulations”. It also specifies that drivers must facilitate entry to the vehicle except in those cases where there are duly justified exceptions.
However, to do so, it is necessary to meet a series of requirements established in the conditions of each company. Below we explain what the requirements of the most important companies are:
1. Alsa
Alsa does not allow pets to be brought with people on buses, except for assistance dogs, which must always be under the responsibility and accompanied by their owners.
However, other pets may travel in the cargo hold. A maximum of one pet is allowed per service, limited to small pets not exceeding 10 kg, such as dogs, cats, birds, ferrets or birds. Only in exceptional cases and with the authorization of the Service Technician, the driver may admit other non-dangerous pets under the same conditions.
On Comfort class buses , pets can travel in the hold, always inside a rigid, closed and secure carrier, with a waterproof bottom that contains the waste outlet and cannot be opened from the inside. On Supra class buses, pets can travel in a compartment that is completely separate from the luggage, larger and with ventilation.
In any case, animals must always be over 12 weeks old, have a microchip, carry their identification document, be dewormed and not be pregnant in the case of females.
2. Monbus
One of the requirements established by Monbus for travelling with pets is to carry them in a properly approved carrier in the hold, but never in the same cabin as people. The only animals that can travel in the cabin are guide dogs. In addition, only one pet can be taken per ticket.
3. Hife
Pets can travel on the bus with Hife as long as you are on the same trip. However, with the exception of guide dogs, they cannot travel in the passenger compartment. They must travel in a carrier or cage in the hold. Both the embarkation and disembarkation of the animal must be carried out by the same owner.
4. Avanzabus
The only animals that can travel on the bus inside the cabin are those accompanying blind people or those providing support to people with epileptic or diabetic disorders. The rest must travel in the hold, in an approved carrier. If you do not have a suitable carrier, you can request one during the ticket purchase process.
Before boarding the bus, you must fill out a form that will be provided to you at the ticket office and which is a kind of declaration of responsibility for the animal. It must be handed to the driver or at the ticket office before boarding.
5. Daibus
The animal must be in a cage or carrier and travel in the hold, but never in the cabin with its owner. However, those people who need to travel with guide dogs can do so in the cabin.
6. Aerobus BCN
This is a local bus that connects the city of Barcelona with El Prat Airport. We can take our pets on this type of bus as long as they are in an approved carrier with the appropriate dimensions so that they do not get hurt and do not bother other passengers. The only exception is guide dogs, which can travel on the bus with their owner.
As you can see, although there are certain requirements for travelling with dogs on the bus , most bus companies in Spain allow us to take our pet on board. However, we can only transport them in the cargo hold and not in the cabin of the vehicle, and always in an approved carrier. Therefore, if you are thinking of travelling with your pet on the bus, it is important that you first consult with the company about the conditions required. This way, you can decide which company is best for you.
