Are service animals allowed on buses?
Yes! Service animals are welcome to ride on MTA buses. We would appreciate it if you would tell us in advance that a service animal will accompany you when you request your ride. Service animals must behave as service animals (if not they may be asked to leave the bus), or they will need to be transported as pets. Pets can be transported but must be in a proper pet carrier. Passengers are responsible for loading and unloading pets and service animals.
What is a service animal?
According to Washington State RCW 49.60.218 a service animal is defined as: (a) “Service animal” means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability…. other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability…
Federal law also only recognizes dogs as service animals.