Tuesday 19 July (Updated 1:50PM Tue 19 July), 2011

V/Line is pleased to announce that as a result of its review into pets on trains, that from the 19th of July passengers will be able to travel on V/Line trains with domesticated pets including dogs and cats but they must be in a suitable container approved by the RSPCA.

Containers must be no larger than 56cm long, 30cm wide and 38 cm high and the animal inside must not weigh more than 15 kilograms.

In line with RSPCA guidelines, animals should be able to stand up straight, lie down without being cramped and turn around inside the container.

Animals are not permitted on V/Line coach services, including rail replacement coach services.

Small animals inside the containers must be stored in designated storage areas on
board V/Line trains:

• On long distance locomotive-hauled services this is inside the luggage van or conductors area (animals must not be taken within the passenger seating area)
• On Sprinter trains in the designated luggage area (called the corral)
• On VLocity trains in the bike luggage area usually located next to the carriage doors at either end of the carriage.

Small animals that cannot fit inside an RSPCA approved container are not allowed on V/Line trains.

V/Line Chief Executive Officer Rob Barnett said a balance between passenger comfort and pet owners had been reached.

"Conductors have the right to refuse travel if the pet is seen as savage, they cause a disturbance to other passengers or where space is limited inside the train," Mr Barnett said.

Passengers wishing to travel with their pet should travel in the off peak – that means avoiding services between 7am and 9am and between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays.

Animals on an Assistance Animal Pass and guide dogs, hearing guide dogs and training guide dogs will continue to travel on all public transport services in Victoria without restriction.

A brochure can be downloaded from vline.com.au or requested by calling 136 196.