Dog refused travel on a bus!

[Pappa Lurve]

So was on several buses and trains today, all without any problems either with staff or with the hound who was calm, relaxed and mainly just sat on my foot (no idea why she kept doing that!)and looked about being dopey. People came up to stroke her etc and I made it clear to anyone looking nervous that she was on a very short leash and so no threat at all. Plus she is a docile dog and fine nin crowds, with strangers etc.

Anyway, last bus we got on, the driver took my oyster card and then said he would not take the dog as she was clearly dangerous. She was sitting there happily, not barking which she never does anyway etc. He refused to move despite having taken payment and said London Busses do not ever take dogs. I pointed out he was wrong and he said I was being aggressive. Several passenger remonstrated with him saying he was an idiot, while the dog by now, had basically fallen asleep Another bus came, I hoped on, no problems other than a twenty min delay and a double charge. Checked the London Transport website and seems that as long as a dog is under control and no one complains I am totally within my rights to bring her with.

I shall be speaking to London Transport tomorrow as I am frankly furious. Even more so as they charged me before refusing and thus entered into a contract.

Thoughts / advice / similar stories wanted please!

[bexVN]

Did you get the driver number?

I would complain as it was quite clear she was posing no threat.

Possibly he's had a bad experience in which case he should've have said he just doesn't allow dogs, to claim your dog looked dangerous is being ignorant and that is not an excuse. The company will probably defend him but you should at least get a refund.

Also state all the journeys you did that day without issue.

did you pay for her aswell, I know they charge a half fair for dogs in many places.

[davepoth]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1990/1020/part/...

The Regulations said:

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a passenger on a vehicle who has with him any article or substance mentioned in paragraph (4) or any animal–
(a)if directed by the driver, inspector or conductor to put it in a particular place on the vehicle, shall put it where directed; and
(b)if requested to move it from the vehicle by the driver, inspector or conductor, shall remove it.
(3) Paragraph (2)(b) shall not apply to the bearer of a card issued by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association who has with him a guide dog unless–
(a)the vehicle is–
(i)a double-decked vehicle; or
(ii)a single-decked vehicle of which the overall length is 8.5 metres or more; and there are already two or more dogs on board; or
(b)the vehicle is a single-decked vehicle of which the overall length is less than 8.5 metres and there is already one dog or more than one dog on board.

The rules are pretty clear; the driver has authority in this matter, and if he doesn't want a dog on his bus he doesn't have to have one unless it's a guide dog.

[Pappa Lurve]

Dave, I saw that but I also saw the headline on their site which makes it clear the driver needs to have a reason. His quoted reason was clearly rubbish as backed up by several others. Plus he charged me and refused any refund etc.

No extra charge for dogs on TfL.

[davepoth]

Pappa Lurve said:

Dave, I saw that but I also saw the headline on their site which makes it clear the driver needs to have a reason. His quoted reason was clearly rubbish as backed up by several others. Plus he charged me and refused any refund etc.

No extra charge for dogs on TfL.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/transportacces...

TFL said:

You can also travel with any other dog or domestic animal, unless there is a good reason for us to refuse it (such as if the animal seems dangerous or is likely to upset other customers).

He did say it seemed dangerous though. That bit was as per the book. What he said and did after that is a bit naughty, and probably worth complaining about. Bus drivers can be complete arses from time to time - I had one particular idiot on a route I used that took offence to folding bicycles that got so bad I had to stop using the bus because it was making all of the other passengers late and I felt bad for them.

TfL will be able to get all of the bus info from the Oyster records, and there will be CCTV of the incident as well, so probably worth writing to them.

[Pappa Lurve]

I know it is silly but I am simply furious at the way he spoke to me. If the guy had not charged the card and even said he was scared of dogs and would I mind waiting I could sort of understand and respect him for being polite and honest. I would still think he was a moron but a understandable moron!

A lot of it boils down to her breed (a German Shep) I think and that I sort of understand but Ella is never anything other than relaxed and dopey and was sitting there, totally in control, looking about being petted by some random chap while this was happening. She was about as threatening as an asthmatic hamster having an afternoon nap!

I have a dog wagon / smoker coming in a few days (C240, leather seats so easy to clean, new tyres and brakes, one owner from new and all for £400!) so this will not be an issue again but even so, in the great tradition of PH, I fully intend to deal with this like, well, a dog at a bone really!

Good thought about the CCTV. Thanks for the suggestion.

[essayer]

The quality of drivers within TFL-land does vary massively and from time to time you just get an idiot. This was one of those occasions.

Make sure you complain to TFL and that your fare (if you had to pay) gets refunded.