ride the bus with your dog

I am sometimes amazed at the lengths some local governments go to to keep their people and pets happy.

The dog friendly city of Boulder, Colorado recently debuted a public transportation pilot project for people and their dogs. In an effort to help reduce carbon footprints (and paw prints), Hop 2 Chautauqua is a dog friendly bus route from downtown to a popular park where parking is an issue. “We’ve been tossing around the idea of allowing dogs on the bus for years,” says Cris Jones, a transportation planner in the city.

A few rules exist; no dogs on the furniture, they must sit on a lap or the floor and no one is allowed to stick their head out the windows. Which is only a rule becuase the bus windows only slide open at the top.

Other progressive cities also welcome canines on their public transportation; Seattle has dog friendly buses, San Francisco allows dogs on Muni trains and streetcars, and Boston allows dogs to ride the subway.

Progress can be such a good thing. Happy traveling with your pooch - but don’t forget the poop bags!