Dog owners celebrate! Sound Transit to allow leashed dogs in 2026, mulling other pets
Jul 27, 2025, 6:00 AM
A dog shows off their smile while riding the bus. (photo courtesy of @turismotorino.org via Flickr Creative Commons)
(photo courtesy of @turismotorino.org via Flickr Creative Commons)
Dogs will finally be allowed to ride the light rail in 2026 after the Sound Transit Board voted in favor of the furry pets’ inclusion Thursday afternoon.
The initial Sound Transit rule only allowed animals accompanied by passengers who were being carried in a crate. Now, following the board’s unanimous vote, dogs on a leash can be on Sound Transit. Sound Transit鈥檚 approval was inspired by the Marymoor Village Station, which opened last spring. The new station is a half-mile walk from a 40-acre off-leash dog park within Marymoor Park.
There was also a conversation about allowing other leashed pets, like cats, according to .
Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine said he plans to present the new Sound Transit rules “within months, certainly by the end of the year.”
This new rule applies to all Sound Transit vehicles. While King County Metro has allowed dogs to be on buses since 1997, large dogs require an additional fare. Smaller dogs (ones that can sit on a person’s lap) were allowed free entry. For Sound Transit, all dogs will ride for free.
The metro Seattle area ranks No. 1 for young married couples who have no children but live with a cat or dog, according to .
