Pets will soon be able to travel for free on public transport in the Brussels-Capital Region, Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt announced in the regional parliament on Monday.
Passengers who want to take their pet on a tram, bus or metro operated by the STIB public transport company must currently buy an extra ticket unless they fall under exceptions such as assistance and police dogs.
"Many passengers who, because of their age or social situation, are entitled to a reduced rate or free transport, in fact end up with higher costs for their pet than for themselves," said Brussels MP Jonathan de Patoul in the Brussels parliament.
Van den Brandt explains that the ticket for pets is not checked in practice. Soon, the tickets for pets will no longer be necessary at all.
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"The decision containing this change was approved by the government at first reading in June, and the opinion of the Regional Mobility Commission will be sought before the second reading after the summer," said Van den Brandt.
"There are of course still rules to follow, such as keeping your animal on a leash, how to transport it, the behaviour of the animal and not hindering other users," she added.
