Great news for pet owners looking for a more convenient way to travel – MTR Corporation has announced that its ‘Cat/Dog Carrying Trial Scheme’ was a success, and their pet-friendly travel programme will officially be implemented starting this September!
MTR first introduced the ‘Cat/Dog Carrying Trial Scheme’ on its Light Rail routes in May, testing a new initiative to enhance pet-friendly travel for owners and create a more inclusive environment on its trains. Under the three-month trial, cats and dogs were allowed to travel with owners on weekends and public holidays, provided they were transported in a pet carrier or backpack not exceeding the usual luggage restrictions of the MTR. More than 1,300 passengers purchased the trial pass.
Positive feedback from passengers and continued smooth operations on the Light Rail have now led to the implementation of the pet travel scheme as an ongoing arrangement starting in September, the MTR Corporation announced on August 20.
Not much will differ from the trial period, as cats and dogs are still only allowed on Light Rail trains on weekends and public holidays, and they must remain fully enclosed in carriers – no pet strollers or carriers with wheels allowed, so invest in a good-quality travel carrier. Owners and pets must also continue to board and alight from the last doors of the Light Rail carriage, and stay at the rear of the compartment during their journey. Passengers are allowed to bring one cat or dog on board per person, but certain dog breeds – classified as ‘large dogs’, ‘fighting dogs’, or ‘known dangerous dogs’, such as pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosa mastiffs, Dogo Argentino, or Fila Brasileiro – are restricted as per the current Hong Kong government legislation.
Owners must purchase a monthly ‘Cat/Dog Carrying Pass’ for $99 through the MTR Mobile app, which goes on sale on the 23rd of each month for the following calendar month. This means that for the scheme’s official launch in September, pet owners can purchase their pass starting from August 23. Passes are valid for one month only and do not renew automatically, so be sure to top up on a monthly basis!
Each passenger can only purchase one MTR pet pass monthly, which applies to one pet, though the animal can enjoy unlimited rides within that month. In addition to holding an electronic ‘Cat/Dog Carrying Pass’ for their furry friends, human passengers will still need to pay their own regular fare for the journey as well.
Hong Kong’s Light Rail system operates in the northwestern part of New Territories, connecting neighbourhoods in Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, and Yuen Long. Fingers crossed that this wonderful pet-friendly initiative continues to prove successful and that this programme will roll out to more MTR lines in the future!
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