Supertram has conducted a consultation ending today asking the public to decide whether dogs should be allowed on the tram.
Currently, dogs can only be brought on board if they are in a cage or they are assistance dogs. In most regions including Sheffield, buses and trains are dog-friendly.
Emily Plaister, 19, from Broomhill said she supports the idea and believes it would make her more likely to use the tram.
She said: “If I were to come across a cute little fluffy thing on my normal journey that would be brilliant.”
Her thoughts were echoed by Polly Mayhead, 19, from Crookes who said: “Whenever I see a dog out and about it makes me happy. So I feel like it will make everyone happy.”
Some people have raised concerns regarding the disturbance this new policy could cause to other passengers.
One woman who preferred to remain anonymous criticised dog owner for being “selfish” and letting their dogs do what they want.
She said: “It’s not a good idea but you can’t expect tram conductors to police it.”
However, most people agree that it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that their dog is well-behaved.
Anna Beedle, 25, from Sharrow Vale, said: “If the dog’s been a nuisance, I guess it’s the same thing as if a person was being a nuisance which you’d report as antisocial.
“There should be clear rules around not being on the seats and stuff like that. But it’s the same thing as not having your feet on the seats which some people would choose to ignore anyway.”
On 22 March 2024, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) partnered with Supertram to bring the transport network back under public control. It invested £33m to improve the system.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard said this revamped system will “put the people first”.
Mr Coppard said: “This is just the start of our journey to a truly integrated transport network that connects all our communities to the huge opportunities that exist right across South Yorkshire.”
Last year, there was a 4.5% increase in passengers compared to 2023 and new handheld ticketing machines were introduced for conductors to facilitate ticket purchases.
The consultation has now closed. A fully summary and report will be published soon.
