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Travelling with Animals
You are welcome aboard Newcastle Buses & Ferries services with your disability service or companion animal according to some simple rules.
Policy on Travelling with Animals on Newcastle Buses & Ferries
Service Animals on Buses and Ferries
Customers who have a seeing or hearing guide dog, or a guide dog in training, or a Police dog, or a Police dog in training, or a disabled person’s authorised assistance animal are permitted on board buses and ferries, with their animals, at all times. There are no restrictions for these animals.
Pets on Buses
Customers may also board a bus with a pet such as a dog, cat, bird or other animal. Any such pet must be restrained in a suitable box, basket or other container to be allowed on board as required by the law (NSW Passenger Transport Act and Regulations). The bus driver may refuse to allow a pet on a bus if this poses a risk to the safety of other passengers or the bus. Pets that are not clean, appear vicious, or likely to annoy, threaten or inconvenience other passengers will not be allowed on a bus.
Pets on Ferries
Customers may also board a ferry with a pet such as a dog, cat, bird or other animal. Any such pet must be restrained in a suitable box, basket or other container to be allowed on board as required by the law (NSW Passenger Transport Act and Regulations). The ferry master may refuse to allow a pet on a ferry if this poses a risk to the safety of other passengers or the ferry. Pets that are not clean, appear vicious, or likely to annoy, threaten or inconvenience other passengers will not be allowed on a ferry.
Restrictions on Pets
State Transit staff need to satisfy themselves on the following points before allowing an animal onboard.
- Is the animal restrained in a box or cage?
- Does it appear clean?
- Does the animal appear vicious, or likely to annoy, threaten or inconvenience other passengers?
- Will having the animal onboard impair the Bus Operator’s ability to operate the bus safely?
- Will having the animal onboard impair the Master’s ability to operate the ferry safely?
- Will the animal owner undertake to leave the bus or ferry clean before exiting?
Disability Assistance Animal Card
If the customer travels regularly using State Transit services, the Bus Operator may suggest that the customer applies an Assistance Animal authority Card available from the Passes and Concession office at RailCorp (telephone 1300 302 130). These Cards are recognised on State Transit services. The customer can show this Card to the Bus Operator, Ferry Master or Customer Service Coordinator when they travel with their animal.
