Dogs on trains and buses - not FGW ones ...

[whole diary]

[grahame]

I know that if I'm travelling with a dog I can take it onto a train with me on the national network (are there any exceptions? Sleepers? Bustitues?  Taxis laid on when last connection misses? What about rules for pets with doggie-passports on Eurostar?).

What about buses?

What about heritage railways?

[Phil]

Hmmm... not sure.

I'd suggest packing a harness and a white stick just in case.

[JayMac]

Sleepers: Caledonian, subject to having sole occupancy of a berth (i.e. not travelling in twin berth with unknown other) and on payment of ^50 per single journey. No option to convey in luggage van. Night Riviera, not allowed in berths, maybe conveyed in guard's van in a suitable pet carrier.

Bustitution^▸ (the practice of replacing trains with buses): A difficult one to call, some TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)'s specify Assistance Dogs only on rail-replacement buses during planned engineering, others don't. I'd imagine they'd have to convey you and your pooch following an emergency bustitution on the bus or arrange alternative transport (ie Taxi).

Buses: Most of the big boys (First, Stagecoach, Go-Ahead, Arriva) allow dogs, but there is usually driver discretion. Stagecoach charge in some areas - a friend paid 50p for his dog on Stagecoach in Devon. Thamesdown in Swindon also charge 50p. From experience I know that Courtney Coaches in Bracknell do not accept dogs (except Assistance) on their bus services. Rather annoying as they provide the scheduled evening and Sunday services on routes operated by First at other times. There are inter-available tickets, but not inter-available conveyence of dogs!

Taxis: Driver discretion. I've found that (how to put this delicately?) drivers of some ethnic groups give a flat refusal here in Bristol, and that may be for cultural reasons. Some apply the allowed charge of ^1 and others don't. It's very difficult late at night at Temple Meads to find a driver willing to convey myself and Jess, so I tend to book ahead with a private-hire firm.

Heritage Railways: Most allow conveyence of dogs for a small fee. Examples are: West Somerset Railway ^2 per day, Gloucestershire/Warwickshire Railway ^1 per return journey. Severn Valley Railway ^2 per single or return journey. Swanage Railway, free!

Eurostar: Nope!

[LiskeardRich]

First buses state in their conditions of carriage, that only 1 dog is permitted per bus, so if there is already another dog on board, you will be refused travel,

[inspector_blakey]

There is generally also the stipulation, regardless of operator, that dogs must sit on the floor and not occupy seats (both because they'll block them for human passengers, and because the fur is an absolute pain to clean off the upholstery!).

[readytostart]

First buses state in their conditions of carriage, that only 1 dog is permitted per bus, so if there is already another dog on board, you will be refused travel,

That must be difficult to enforce in some areas?! 
Oh, you meant of the canine variety.