Metro Transit | Service Animals
What qualifies as a Service animal?
A service animal is defined as a dog or other animal that has been individually trained to perform work or tasks directly related to an individual’s disability.
Examples of these tasks include:
- Guiding individuals with visual impairments
- Alerting those with hearing impairments
- Pulling a wheelchair
- Providing assistance during medical emergencies.
Other animals, even if they are emotional support or therapy animals, do not qualify as service animals under the U.S. Department of Transportation Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulation 49 CFR 37.3.
Passenger Responsibilities
Passengers bringing a service animal onboard a Metro vehicle are required to:
- Ensure their service animal is under control at all times. This means the animal must be leashed, harnessed, or otherwise tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s tasks or the person’s disability prevents the use of these devices. Service animals must be within the care, custody, and control of their owners, or an individual accompanying their owner, at all times.
- Keep the service animal well-behaved. The animal may not be seriously disruptive to other passengers or pose a safety risk.
- Ensure the service animal does not occupy seats or block aisles. This is vital to maintain accessibility for other riders in the vehicle.
- Maintain the cleanliness of the service animal. Owners must ensure the service animal does not soil the bus or transit area.
Passengers must also accurately communicate whether their animal is a service animal, as operators are permitted to ask two specific questions:
- Is the service animal required because of a disability?
- What task or work has the animal been trained to perform?
Metro Operator Responsibilities
Metro operators are trained to follow ADA guidelines and ensure all passengers, including those with service animals, are treated with respect and provided necessary accommodations. Metro operators are expected to:
- Ensure the vehicle environment remains safe and accessible for all riders, while addressing any concerns passengers may have regarding service animals.
- Assist passengers with disabilities upon request, including boarding, exiting, and priority seating.
- Avoid interfering with or distracting service animals while they perform their duties.
Pets and Non-Service Animals
Non-service animals such as pets or emotional support animals are not permitted onboard Metro vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are emotional support animals or pets allowed on Metro vehicles?
Only Service Animals are allowed on Metro vehicles and in Metro facilities.
Do I need to register my service animal?
No, registration is not required under the ADA.
Do I need to provide documentation for my service animal?
No, documentation or certification is not required under the ADA.
Can service animals ride on all Metro vehicles?
Yes, service animals can ride on all MetroBus, MetroLink, and Call‑A‑Ride ADA Paratransit vehicles.
Are there any restrictions on where service animals can sit or stand?
Service animals can be with their handler in any part of the vehicle, but may not sit on passenger seats. Service animals should not obstruct aisles or doorways.
Can my service animal occupy a seat?
No, service animals are not allowed to sit on a passenger seat and should be on the floor out of the aisle and not blocking the doors.
What happens if a service animal is behaving disruptively?
If a service animal is aggressive, snapping, growling and posing a safety risk to the operator or other passengers, and the handler is not able to get the service animal under control, Metro Public Safety will remove the animal from the vehicle.
