Public transit in DC hates dogs, too

Good news, Sound Transit: You're not the only dog-hating, public-transit organization in America!

In Washington, D.C. last week on business, I traveled to Arlington Cemetery via the Metrorail rapid transit system. The second-largest subway system in the country, Metrorail also bars canines -- service dogs not withstanding -- from their trains. In fact, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority bars pets from riding on the system's buses and trains. "However," the District of Columbia transit authority assures its passengers, "a pet can be transported on Metrorail and Metrobus in a secure container as long as there is no possibility that the pet can get free."

Has anybody at Metro in DC tried to stuff an Akita in a "secure container"? Get real.

Makes you appreciate our local Metro transit all the more (or resent it less): Metro permits dogs to ride its buses. For the record, I'd much prefer riding a bus with a dog than some of the passengers on routes 7, 23, 101, 124, 150, 174 and 358.