Tigger Club News
By Animals - For Animals
news@tigger.club

 

Dogs on trams trial in Greater Manchester

Trams first appeared on the streets of Greater Manchester in 1901 and in its peak in 1928 there were 328 million passengers using the 953 trams on the 292 miles of track along the 46 routes throughout Manchester.

The decision to abandon the original tram system was made on 7th July 1937 but the onset of WW2 delayed some of it.
Although 4917 tons of steel tram tracks was removed and given to the war effort the last original tram ran on 10th January 1949.<br
/> In the 1970’s there was an attempt to revive a tram system throughout Greater Manchester and after a few schemes that failed to gain enough funding, the modern tram system began operating in 1992.

The current Transport for Greater Manchester includes train, tram and bus services that provide a variety of transport providing a combined 5.6 million journeys for passengers every day. The grouped services are called the Bee Network.
The tram network alone has 99 stops, along 8 routes on 64 miles of track that was used by 44.3 million passengers in 2019/2020.

Dogs have been allowed on trains and buses years, at the discretion of the driver.
However only service dogs were allowed on trams.
In 2021 Bee Network had a public conversation with over 4,000 people responding to the question of allowing all dogs to travel on the trams.

Now from the 1st of August 2022 Transport for Greater Manchester will be doing a three month trial allowing dogs on their tram network. Once the trial starts there will be a survey to give feedback.

During the three month trial new rules have been added to NfGM Conditions of Carriage:
-Metrolink will allow a maximum of two well-behaved dogs per passenger without charge, but you will be liable for their behaviour.
- Dogs must always be kept on a short lead and under control at all times. They will need to be able to listen to your commands and travel without bothering other passengers.
- Your dog is your responsibility. If your dog is involved in an incident concerning another passenger or member of the public, you will be liable.
- Make sure you and your dog get on and off the tram together -- be wary of trapping the lead in the door.
- If your dog makes a mess on the tram, stop or anywhere on the network, you will need to clean it up and inform a member of staff where possible.
- Dogs are not allowed on seats while travelling on the tram.
- Do not let your dog sit under the seats as there are heaters and other systems which could harm them.  
- Be considerate of others on the Metrolink network who may be frightened of dogs, or who may be allergic to dog hair.
- Be aware of your dog's needs. Bring water and treats for your dog if you need to, but also make sure you have poo bags and wipes so that you can clean up after any mess your dog makes, on or off the tram.
- Please keep your dog away from assistance dogs and the disabled boarding points.
- You should avoid being in the wheelchair space on the tram and must move out of this space if a wheelchair or pram user needs it.