And finally… bark and ride

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard has confirmed that dogs will now be permanently allowed on Supertram services, following a successful trial and public support, with 75% of survey respondents in favour.

More than 10,600 people responded to a public consultation, with 75% in favour of changing the rules to allow dogs on board. Since the trial began in March, more than 6,000 dogs have travelled on Supertram, signalling clear demand and public approval, said SYMCA.

Previously, only assistance dogs or dogs in carry cages were permitted. Under the new permanent policy, one well-behaved dog per passenger will be allowed to travel on Supertram.

The move follows similar successful trials on light rail networks in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, and Blackpool.

Coppard said: “Fixing public transport in South Yorkshire means making it work for all of us, and that includes our four-legged friends.

“More than 10,000 people have told us: allowing dogs on trams makes our network more inclusive and accessible.

“We’re building a public transport system that reflects the needs of the people who use it every day. Whether you’re commuting, exploring, or simply heading out with your dog, Supertram will get you there.”

Sean English, managing director at Supertram, said: “Throughout the trial, we worked hard to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both our customers and colleagues, and we’ll continue to monitor and manage the service to maintain a positive experience for everyone.”

All very wholesome and mature, and fingers crossed Place will be writing about dogs travelling on West Yorkshire trams within a few years too. Next up for South Yorkshire is a tram-train stop at Magna, the first addition to the network since 2018.