Montreal to launch pilot project allowing dogs on city buses in 2026

This stock photo shows a dog being carried in a tote bag. (Shutterstock)

The city of Montreal passed a motion to allow dogs on city buses as part of a pilot project next year.

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) said it wasn’t ready to make the move just yet.

“There must be an increase in the STM’s indicators of customer perception of the issues surrounding bus safety and cleanliness before the regulations are changed,” an STM spokesperson told CTV News in a statement.

The motion calls for the pilot project to be set up by the end of 2026.

The Montreal SPCA welcomed the city’s move, calling it a “win-win situation.”

“It will obviously benefit dogs by facilitating their access to veterinary care and promoting their exercise and socialization, which in turn will help benefit public safety by contributing to the reducing the risk of them developing behavioral problems,” said Sophie Gaillard, Director of Animal Advocacy at the Montreal SPCA.

She added it will also reduce people’s dependence on cars since dogs will be allowed on most public transportation.

Montreal launched a pilot project allowing dogs on the metro in 2022, with some restrictions, and Gaillard said it’s been a total success.

“It clearly showed that it’s possible for dogs and transit users to coexist harmoniously in the public transit system,” she said.

She added there were no documented incidents of any bites or damages or soiling caused by dogs and it’s the next logical step to allow dogs on buses.

Dogs must be muzzled and leashed on the metro, and the same rules would apply to buses.

Cities that allow dogs on their bus networks include Calgary, Toronto, Copenhagen, London, Boston, Lyon, Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome and Helsinki.

With files from CTV News Montreal’s Caroline van Vlaardingen