Mrs Peggy Needham with 5 year old Chihauha ‘Lucy’ and Matthew Ellis after the ban was imposed

A bus company who opperate busses on rural routes surrounding the Tamworth area are to allow dogs to travel on their busses, with the new rules being rolled out across the 82 and 84 routes from Monday July 5.

Earlier in the month, County Councillor Matthew Ellis expressed his concern at the rules being enforced by the bus company (read the article here).  Since then Staffordshire County Council have been working with the Heartlands Bus company to ensure four legged friends can join their owners on the bus services.  The rules have now been reversed after so many passengers expressed a need for their dogs to join them on their journeys between Clifton Campville and Tamworth.

Staffordshire County Councillor Robert Marshall, Cabinet member for Infrastructure and Regeneration, said:

“It is vitally important that we pay attention to members of the community when they are telling us what they think of services that are being subsidised by tax payers.

“We listened when people told us that they wanted to be able to board the Heartlands Bus service with their dogs and we have taken action to make that happen. Following on from this, we will be including a clause in all of our contracts with bus companies to say that dogs are allowed to travel with their owners.”

Local County Councillor Matthew Ellis, who expressed his concern at this rule imposed by the bus company added:

“Buses are literally a lifeline for many members of the community who don’t have their own cars and can’t afford to pay for taxis if they need to take their dogs to the vet. High quality public transport is an essential ingredient in boosting independence and quality of life.

“I want the services that are subsidised or fully funded by tax payers to be as accessible as possible and that is what has happened here – we have tailored the service to suit the needs of the people who are using it. I am absolutely delighted that Heartlands Bus is ensuring that all members of the community are getting a good quality transport service.”

The scheme will be rolled out across the services (82 & 84) and will require owners to buy their pet a ticket at a cost of £1.80 per animal.  This is a set rate.

Other bus companies throughout Tamworth already allow animals to get on the services with their owners.