Hey Seattle-ites! We’ve always had plenty of reasons to love Seattle – especially when the sun comes out over the weekend – but now we’ve got one more. Did you know that a leashed dog can ride on the King Country Metro system? Well, they can! Large, leashed pups pay the same fare as their owners and must sit on the floor (they can’t take up a seat). Smaller dogs and service dogs are free.
Before we went too far touting Seattle’s dog friendly-ness though, we decided to do some research. Is Seattle leading the way in dog-accessible services or simply following a trend?
- Portland, our most immediate neighbors, do have the most dog parks per capita. Yet, any pet besides a service animal must remain inside a carrier while riding the TriMet.
- Further South down the coast, it gets a little better for our furry friends. San Francisco allows large dogs on the Muni (their metro system), but prohibits pups from riding between 5-9 am and 3-7 pm. SF Muni rules also state that dogs must be muzzled at all times (ouch!).
- On the East Coast, only Boston’s subway allows big dogs to ride, but with a similar rule of only allowing them during off-peak hours. Most other cities only allow dogs to be transported in a carrier, and if the dog’s too big, well, they’re out of luck.
We’re pleased to announce that Seattle’s policy of allowing large dogs the same privelages, for a price, as their human counterparts, is trailblazing compared to other cities. Allowing small dogs to sit on their buddies laps and ride free is just another example of pooch-power. Seattle, it seems, is more of a dog haven than we ever knew.