Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy

A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.

1 minute read

May 9, 2025, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of pug dog sitting on woman's lap on city bus.

hedgehog94 / Adobe Stock

Seattle-area transit system might become more dog-friendly as a new dog park is being touted as a major amenity along the Sound Transit light rail network.

Writing in The Urbanist, Ryan Packer explains that the region’s various transit agencies have different and sometimes confusing rules about bringing pets aboard. “On top of the fact that the rules often aren’t clear, many people aren’t aware those policies change when people transfer between, say, a King County Metro bus and a Sound Transit light rail train.”

Now, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci is asking Sound Transit to revise its pet policy to more closely reflect reality. 

Packer notes, “While there are definitely bigger issues Sound Transit has on its plate, a pet policy that actually makes sense for riders is one element of an intuitive and multipurpose transit system that truly opens up the region’s destinations for more people…including those heading to dog parks and pride parade dog walks.”

Saturday, May 3, 2025 in The Urbanist

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