There are anywhere between 120,000-150,000 living in San Francisco at any given time. That’s one dog for every 6 people or so, and it’s (famously) more dogs than children! And that number doesn’t even include dogs living in the greater metro area, such as in the East Bay or South Bay. So, are dogs allowed on BART? What about on MUNI? Cable Cars???  

Are Dogs Allowed on BART?

Yes…with a few caveats. Since non-service dogs being allowed on BART is a relatively recent rule-change, the powers-that-be have rules. Dogs riding on BART must be in a carrier throughout their entire ride, and the carrier must be specifically made for the purpose of transporting pets. That means your Great Dane isn’t technically allowed on BART, although we suppose if you could find a carrier big enough and two people to help you move it, you’re golden. That also means you can skip the “dog in a bag” nonsense they’ve been doing in New York. BART doesn’t specifically address cats, but the exact same rules apply. All pets riding BART must be well-behaved and kept out of seats and aisles at all times. Between us, we’ve seen plenty of dogs riding BART that aren’t in carriers, but doing so is technically illegal and could make you subject to fines. Odds are most people won’t mind, but if you board the Transbay tube at rush hour with a sheddy, drooly bulldog, you might get reported. Service dogs are always, always allowed on BART and do not need to be crated. Keep in mind that though it’s technically legal for service dogs to use the BART station escalators, the city strongly encourages the dogs and their owners to use stairs or elevators instead.

Are Dogs Allowed on MUNI?

Again, yes, but with restrictions! Animals are allowed on MUNI during non-peak hours only. Peak hours are from 5:00-9:00 a.m. and 3:00-7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Even during off-peak hours, each MUNI vehicle is only allowed to have (1) one animal riding at a time. Dog owners will be asked to pay a fare equal to their own for their pet when they board. Dogs on MUNI must be leashed and muzzled at all times. (Cats and other pets must be in a carrier.) Your dog must ride in your lap or underneath your seat, taking up as little room as possible. The rules are different for service animals, which are allowed on MUNI at any time. Service dogs do not need to be muzzled but must be on a lead or a leash and should also sit in their owner’s lap or under the seat. No animals should ever be seated on a MUNI seat.

Are Dogs Allowed in an Uber or Lyft in SF?

Oooh, great question. Both Uber and Lyft let individual drivers decide whether they’ll allow pets to ride along. It’s always a good idea to call your driver and ask as soon as they’re assigned; if they’re not a dog person you can usually cancel within the allotted timeframe without a fee. You should bring a towel with you (for your leashed dog to sit on) or a carrier if you can. And don’t forget to tip well!