I love public transit. Buses, subways, streetcars, trains and more. I love them all. Taking public transit is an excellent way to explore Toronto. It’s also an inexpensive way to get around. When I lived in Toronto, I would hop on a streetcar, bus, or subway with my dog to explore new parts of the city. Whether it was a trip to the beach, a walk around Queen West or the Annex, or to a new dog park, public transit got us there. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), GO Transit, and some taxi services are dog-friendly and welcome dogs aboard but there are some restrictions.

Toronto Transit Commission

You can get almost anywhere in Toronto via the TTC. Its network of subways, streetcars, and buses, weaves through different neighbourhoods. The TTC is accessible and affordable. Regardless of the distance you travel or how many transfers you make to reach your final destination, the fare is the same price. As an added bonus, if you pay your fare using a PRESTO card, it comes with a two-hour transfer window. This means you can hop on and off within a two-hour period without having to pay extra. It’s an amazing perk. Just keep these restrictions in mind if you plan on taking the TTC with your dog.

• Dogs must be leashed or secured within a container/pet carrier

• Excluding service animals, dogs are not allowed on the TTC during peak hours Monday through Friday.

  • Morning peak hours are 6:30 AM - 10:00 AM

  • Evening peak hours are 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM

GO Transit

Need to get somewhere via GO Transit and you want to bring your pup? Well, you are in luck. Similar to the TTC, GO Transit allows leashed dogs to be on trains and buses between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to the end of service every day including holidays. Passengers travelling with dogs must use the lower levels of buses and trains and must keep their dogs with them at all times. It is advised that passengers with dogs avoid the accessibility coach as it tends to be the preferred coach for service animals. Other rules to keep in mind include:

• Pick up after your dog, but do not dispose of their waste on the train or buses.

• Be considerate to others and keep your dog out of the way and off the seats.

• Ensure your dog does not disrupt the enjoyment of other passengers.

Taxis

Not all taxis will pick up passengers with dogs. I learned this when my dog, Louie, got sick one evening and needed to go to the emergency veterinary clinic. I called several taxi companies and the only one that was willing to come to drive us was Beck. When you call for a taxi, make sure to let the operator know that you have a dog. If they allow dogs in their vehicles, they will dispatch a taxi to come to get you that is comfortable transporting pups.