What if your furry friend could hop on the tram without hiding in an IKEA bag? In Toulouse, a petition launched on July 20th is calling for dogs — all dogs — to be allowed on public transport operated by Tisséo. And it seems the idea has a lot of bark: in just two days, nearly 20,000 signatures were gathered. That's enough to make dog owners with frustrated furry companions bark in excitement about taking the bus with their favorite humans. But in response to this swift rallying, Tisséo has put the leash… tight.
As it stands today, only two categories of canines are allowed aboard: guide dogs for the blind and assistance dogs for people with disabilities, as well as small animals carried under the arm or in a carrier. And big dogs? Forget it, nothing to see here. The result, according to the petitioners: a forced reliance on cars, which doesn’t exactly align with the eco-friendly ambitions the city promotes.
A lovely enthusiasm... for nothing ?
The issue is that Tisséo isn’t biting the bait. The company is waving around safety, organization, and comfort arguments. A poorly adjusted muzzle, a leash caught in an automatic door, or a big dog a little too close to a child… the risks are real, according to the network. And then, based on a study commissioned last year, this topic simply doesn’t rank high on the priority list of users.
Meanwhile, in Lyon or Strasbourg, transportation has already taken the "dog-friendly" turn. Muzzles, leashes, Waf tickets… everything is set up to get Fido on board without any drama. Toulouse, however, remains true to its restrictive regulations, leaving big dogs on the sidewalk. It’s clearly something that has media flair but hasn’t yet had the power to change the rules.