CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY-SECOND COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-16-30 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Trudy E. Jones
RESOLUTION
title
Establishing The ABQ Ride Companion Animal Pilot Project, A Six Month Pilot Project Allowing Certain Companion Animals On ABQ Ride Public Transit (Jones)
body
ESTABLISHING THE ABQ RIDE COMPANION ANIMAL PILOT PROJECT, A SIX MONTH PILOT PROJECT ALLOWING CERTAIN COMPANION ANIMALS ON ABQ RIDE PUBLIC TRANSIT.
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque recognizes that companion animals bring comfort, companionship and protection for the vulnerable regardless of their owners’ income or social status; and
WHEREAS, those who have limited income and are most in need of affordable transportation may be unable to get their companion pets to their veterinary appointments; and
WHEREAS, allowing for low-income individuals to travel with their companion animals on public transit supports self-sufficiency and helps those pet owners to get to their necessary appointments; and
WHEREAS, the designation of a pet friendly city which includes public transportation with a pet encourages tourism and benefits the local economy.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
Section 1. The City of Albuquerque hereby establishes the ABQ Ride Companion Animal Pilot Project to allow pet dog or pet cat companion animals to ride ABQ Ride fixed-route public transit and paratransit with an adult passenger during off-peak hours subject to the following restrictions:
• Permitted Animals. Only domesticated pet cats or dogs are permitted, and only one animal is permitted per adult rider;
• Hours. Companion animals are permitted at any time on Saturday and Sunday, and Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or after 6:30 p.m. Drivers or transit staff may refuse admission to a companion animal if there is insufficient space on the bus due to heavy ridership;
• Fares. Riders shall not be charged an additional fare for their companion animal;
• Locations & Security. Companion animals are not permitted on passenger seats and may ride only on the lap of a passenger, under their seat, or at their feet in a location that does not impede walkways or exits. Dogs must be in a closed crate, or if not in a crate then leashed and muzzled at all times. Cats must be in a closed crate at all times. Crates must be of a size that can reasonably accommodate the animal and that can be carried by the passenger without assistance;
• Behavior. Companion animals must be under the control of the passenger at all times so as to not annoy, threaten, or inconvenience other passengers or companion animals. Drivers or transit staff may refuse admission to a companion animal, or eject any passenger and their companion animal if the companion animal is not clean, appears or becomes vicious, or acts or appears likely to annoy, threaten or inconvenience other passengers or companion animals;
• Cleanup. Passengers shall clean up after their companion animals.
• Penalty. Non-compliance with any of these restrictions and limitations may result in suspension of the passenger and/or companion animal from ABQ Ride service.
• Exclusion. Nothing herein is intended to limit or otherwise restrict “service animals” as defined by the Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation.
Section 2. The project shall begin July 1, 2016 with an anticipated completion date of December 31, 2016.
Section 3. Upon completion of the project, the City of Albuquerque Transit Department will request input from riders and interested parties to determine if the project is beneficial to the community and whether there is justification for its continuation.
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