Bus driver lets daughter on, but not mother's mobility dog

Auckland Transport is apologising after a woman was separated from her four-year-old daughter when a bus driver closed the door before she could board with her mobility dog.In a post on social media, Brie Crosweller said her daughter was left on the bus alone when she and her dog Lenny were denied entry on Wednesday night. She said her daughter immediately jumped on the bus when the doors opened "because that's what she does"."The driver looks at me, looks at my mobility dog and just shuts the doors."Crosweller said initially the driver refused to engage with her, before "eventually" opening the doors to let the youngster off."She's now upset. I'm freaked out, but the doors shut immediately."Another passenger then intervened, she said in the video, showing the driver the AT website where it states disability dogs "are allowed to travel the Auckland Public Transport network at all times without a muzzle".The driver reportedly insisted the dog would not be allowed on without a muzzle, then drove off.Crosweller said her daughter then refused to get on another bus, afraid she would get trapped inside without her mum.A spokesperson for AT told RNZ the incident was unacceptable, and was being treated as a priority with the bus operator. They said disability assist dogs could travel on any bus, train or ferry at any time without a muzzle."All drivers receive training on disability assist dogs as part of their induction, and we're continuing to work with operators to strengthen ongoing refresher training to make sure these situations don't occur."This educates them what a service dog is, that they are different to pets, don't require muzzles like pets do on buses and are always welcome on buses."Crosweller said she had "never been so humiliated" and was upset that only one passenger stood up for her."AT, you've got to train those bus drivers because this can't happen again."