They promised to think it over, they did think, and in the end, nothing changes: Tisséo stays the course. Dogs remain persona non grata in Toulouse's public transport, with a few exceptions. Small dogs tucked away in a bag, guide dogs, or security dogs on a mission? Green light. For all the others? It's a big no.
It's true that the management took the issue seriously. Field study, benchmarking with other French networks, a massive questionnaire sent to 6,000 users, and focus groups with 14 different profiles (owners, non-owners, cat people surely too). The conclusion is clear: yes, dogs have a good reputation. They're affectionate, calming, and great for socializing. But in a crowded metro, whether muzzled or not, they also become synonymous with stress, fur on the seats, and a series of incidents.
An incident that (maybe) changed everything
And indeed, the incident on March 7 served as a stark reminder.
: a dog left behind on the platform, an evacuation alert set off in a panic, and bam, 30 minutes of delays on line B. When you manage an automated metro like in Toulouse, this kind of mishap is enough to cool things down.Add to that the issues of cleanliness, safety, and the risk of turning carriages into a traveling zoo during rush hour… Tisséo has chosen to stick to the status quo. No new exceptions, no short leashes allowed, no dogs gallivanting in the open spaces. If you try it, the fine climbs to €150. That’s enough to make you think twice before bringing Fido on the tram. In Toulouse, dogs stay on the platform.
Source: France Bleu
