(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman John F. McKeon that would prohibit New Jersey Transit from denying individuals who need a guide or service dog access to any of its modes of transportation was released Monday by an Assembly panel.
NJ Transit previously had a policy that excluded guide dogs on sedans, including its Access Link fleet, which serves the disabled population. NJ Transit later changed its policy.
This bill would codify those changes.
“These individuals already have a tougher time because of their disabilities. There is no need to turn routine tasks like boarding a bus or a train into a predicament,” said McKeon (D-Essex/Morris). “This bill ensures that any individual who relies on a guide or service dog to help with a disability is able to use public transportation without worry of being turned away and denied service.”
The bill (A-3003) would allow any person with a disability who uses a guide or service dog, or any guide or service dog trainer with a guide or service dog to ride on any bus, train or other form of transportation operated by NJ Transit with the dog, provided the dog is appropriately controlled.
The bill was advanced by the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee.
