Metro Bilbao will allow dogs weighing over eight kilograms, albeit with certain restrictions. Animals must wear a muzzle and will be prohibited from traveling during peak hours or at night, except on Fridays and Saturdays. Furthermore, their access will be forbidden during periods of exceptional mobility or crowds (match days, Santo Tomás, Aste Nagusia…).
These new regulations will come into effect once the modification of Article 18 of Metro Bilbao's General Conditions of Contract is approved. Large dogs must be equipped with a muzzle and a leash at all times (non-extendable and not exceeding 50 centimeters in length). They will not be permitted to occupy seats or use escalators or moving walkways.
Metro Bilbao officials explain that these conditions are established to «guarantee coexistence» with other passengers. The entry of these dogs will be restricted in the first and last carriages of the train, which are prioritized for wheelchair users and parents with infant strollers. Access for dogs considered potentially dangerous by current legislation will also be completely prohibited.
Those traveling with larger dogs must not «impose their presence on other people who may feel intimidated by them», they warn. In such a situation, they «will have to move to another permitted area of the train». Additionally, they will be «solely responsible for any incident or damage that may occur as a consequence of the animal's behavior» and must exercise extreme caution in validation areas and when boarding trains to prevent any harm to the pet.
