Hong Kong, a bustling city, is not only a paradise for humans but is also becoming a haven for pets. On March 25, MTR Corporation announced a new initiative targeting pet owners, allowing them to bring their cats and dogs on the light rail during weekends and public holidays. The “Cat/Dog Carrying Trial Scheme” will be trialled for two months, starting May 1.
Under the new guidelines, pet owners must keep their animals in a designated pet bag before boarding. The combined dimensions of the bag, including length, width, and height, must not exceed 170 cm, which means that larger pets will not be accommodated. Also, pets other than cats and dogs are prohibited from the service.
Pets must remain in their bags throughout the journey. Starting April 11, passengers will be able to purchase a pet pass via the MTR mobile app, with a limit of one pet per person per trip. This initiative aims to enhance travel options for pet owners while ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for all passengers.
Pet Owners’ and Citizens’ Reactions to the New Initiative
Ms. Yeung Kan Kan, who lives in Tuen Mun with her two-year-old Shiba Inu, expressed her happiness and comments on how Hong Kong is beginning to implement pet-friendly initiatives. “I’m really happy the MTR is finally launching this program! Starting from May, when I take my dog out on weekends and holidays, I have another transportation option, and I won’t have to pay extra for a taxi!”
She hopes the program can be quickly refined and improved during the trial period, eventually extending to all MTR lines. “I am looking forward to travelling on MTR with my dog into the city for outings. I believe it is a dream for all pet owners!”
However, some large dog owners express reservations about the plan, believing that the new guidelines only aimed at small dogs and cats, leaving large dogs with no opportunity to experience this transportation service. “I hope the guidelines will change after this trial scheme.” Said Ms Lam Cho Ling, with her Akita Inu, which is regarded as one of the large dog breeds. “There must be a way that large dogs can also travel safely on the MTR.” Ms Lam hoped that the MTR could also listen to the demands of large pet owners, making it feasible for large dogs to board the train after refining the current trial scheme.
Ms Wong Lai Fan, a citizen living in Yuen Long, expressed her concern about this scheme. Ms Wong mainly travels in the district via light rail during weekends with her husband. She claimed that hygiene issues and disturbances might affect other passengers’ travel experience. “I have no offence on dogs and cats, but would there be a hygiene issue? What if the dogs bark all the time? I don’t want to travel in a noisy and smelly train!”
The MTR has not specified whether there will be penalties for pet owners whose animals relieve themselves inside the train compartments. However, they will test passenger arrangements during the trial period and gather feedback, with the possibility of extending the plan if necessary.
Other Pet-friendly Transportation Option: Pet Bus
In addition to the MTR’s plan, the Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) launched a pet bus program in 2024, offering various weekend routes for pet owners to enjoy outings with their pets. These bus routes cover popular pet-friendly destinations in Hong Kong, such as the West Kowloon Cultural District and the Central Waterfront. Passengers can check arrival time forecasts on the KMB mobile app, App1933. They can also make online reservations in advance, selecting the most suitable itinerary for their pets.