Hong Kong MTR Makes Pet-Friendly Travel Permanent: Cats and Dogs Now Welcome on Light Rail Year-Round

As part of its ongoing commitment to inclusivity, MTR Corporation has revealed that its Light Rail pet-friendly programme will become a long-term feature as of September 2025. The final ruling follows a trial that began in May, then extended on the strength of enthusiastic passenger response. Under the scheme, residents may travel on the Light Rail with cats and dogs every Saturday, Sunday and statutory holiday, easing weekend and holiday journeys for pet owners and deliberately fostering a more pet-welcoming atmosphere throughout the territory.

A Trial Turned Success

At first, the scheme looked like a short-lived experiment, rolled out by MTR Corporation to see if travelling with furry companions on Light Rail could actually work. The run lasted from May to August, with pet owners asked to fork out HK$99 a month for a “Cat/Dog Carrying Pass” on top of the regular fare. Each traveller could take just one pet per trip, and a set of strict rules had to be followed to keep both animals and humans comfortable.

The rules were straightforward: every pet had to stay completely inside a carrier with no appendages sticking out, the designated boarding doors were clearly marked, and the furry guest had to stay at the back of the compartment for the whole trip. Passenger feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the MTR pointed to minimal impact on service levels, making it easy to label the pilot a success right from the get-go.

High Passenger Satisfaction

MTR Corporation has received more evidence of its commitment to building a more welcoming and pet-friendly environment via a survey linked to the recent trial. An overwhelming 95% of all respondents—pet owners alongside people travelling without pets—voiced positive views on the scheme. Such widespread endorsement shows that, with good planning and the right guidelines, people and their animal companions can share the trains, platforms and concourses without inconvenience.

Buoyed by this enthusiastic response, MTR Corporation has decided to carry the programme on beyond the trial. The formal introduction of a permanent policy will take effect in September 2025, and the operator will maintain a close partnership with relevant community, transport and business circles in order to keep journeys safe, smooth and pleasant for every single passer-by—two-legged and four-legged alike.

Steps to Apply for the Permanent Pet-Friendly Arrangement

For pet owners who wish to continue utilizing this pet-friendly service on the Light Rail, the process to apply for the permanent arrangement is simple and straightforward. Here are the steps:

1. Register as an MTR Mobile Member:
   • To begin, travelers must register as an MTR Mobile member on the MTR app if they have not done so already. This membership is necessary to access the e-store and purchase the “Cat/Dog Carrying Pass.”
2. Log in to the MTR Mobile App:
   • After registering, users need to log into their MTR Mobile account.
3. Navigate to the MTR e-Store:
   • Within the app, users can go to the MTR e-Store section to purchase the required pet pass.
4. Purchase the “Cat/Dog Carrying Pass”:
   • Pet owners can select the pass for the current or next calendar month and proceed with payment.
5. Receive Confirmation:
   • Once the payment is completed, pet owners will receive an email confirming their purchase.
6. Access the Pass:
   • The “Cat/Dog Carrying Pass” will be available in the “My Collections” section of the MTR Mobile app within 30 minutes of the purchase confirmation.

Travel Guidelines for Pet Owners

To ensure the safety of all passengers and pets, the following guidelines must be adhered to when traveling with a pet on the Light Rail:

• Carrier Requirements:
  Pets must remain fully inside a pet-specific carrier, which should be fully enclosed with no exposed body parts. The carrier’s combined dimensions (length, width, height) must not exceed 170 cm, with no single side exceeding 130 cm.
• Boarding and Alighting:
  Passengers with pets must use the last door of the Light Rail train to board and alight. This ensures a smoother flow of passengers and helps maintain order.
• Travel Area and Times:
  This scheme applies exclusively to Light Rail services on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
• Passenger Behavior:
  Passengers with pets should remain at the rear of the compartment throughout the journey to minimize disturbances to other passengers.
• Fare Requirements:
  The “Cat/Dog Carrying Pass” is not a valid fare ticket and does not replace the regular fare ticket. Pet owners must still pay the standard fare for their ride.
• Prohibited Items:
  Pet strollers or wheeled carriers (such as shopping carts) are not allowed on the Light Rail.
• Cleanliness and Hygiene:
  Pet owners are encouraged to bring their own cleaning supplies to manage any pet waste and maintain cleanliness within the train.
• Compliance:
  MTR staff reserve the right to ask passengers to present their “Cat/Dog Carrying Pass” and verify the specifications of their pet carrier. Non-compliance with the rules could lead to refusal of entry or legal consequences.

Expanding Pet-Friendly Initiatives Globally

Hong Kong’s pet-friendly Light Rail initiative is part of a growing global trend of accommodating pets in public transportation systems. Several other countries have taken steps in 2025 to offer similar services:

• United States: Amtrak, the national passenger rail service, expanded its pet policy, allowing dogs up to 40 pounds on most routes, further catering to pet owners’ needs for train travel.
• Hungary: MÁV Group, Hungary’s state-owned railway operator, allows free travel for dogs within the capital on suburban trains and on interurban services, helping promote pet-friendly travel across Europe.
• Australia: The Spirit of Tasmania ferry service now allows dogs in cabins on certain ships, with pet-friendly accommodations available for passengers traveling with their pets.

These developments reflect a global push toward making public transportation more inclusive and convenient for pet owners, improving the travel experience for both humans and their furry companions.

Conclusion: Enhancing Hong Kong’s Public Transport Experience

Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation has wisely opted to cement its pet-friendly rule, sealing a compact yet potent advancement toward a mass transit system that welcomes all commuters, tails or no tails. While the trains rumble, the policy stands guard, gifting pet guardians a safe, fuss-free way to share a ride. As a result, the vehicle morphs into a mild, communal space where dogs, cats, and discerning humans share the soft hum of the MTR world. Observers elsewhere can chalk this success as a light-touse beacon, nudging other global metropolises to smooth the way for pet sharers and reshape the character of public transport everywhere.

[Source: China Daily]