A pilot program allowing pet owners to bring a dog or a cat with them on Light Rail trains over the weekends and on public holidays will be rolled out to enable the MTR to learn from the experience and gauge passenger reaction, MTR Corp Managing Director Jeny Yeung Mei-chun said at the legislature on Monday.

Yeung was speaking in response to questions from lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun at a meeting of the Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways.

Tien cited concerns raised by some residents living in the New Territories Northwest — where the Light Rail network operates — that many Light Rail trains only have one compartment, meaning that passengers suffering from animal fur allergies may be forced to share a compartment with pets.

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Tien suggested that the trial run should be limited to specific subway compartments during weekends.

Yeung said that Light Rail trains primarily run outdoors and on the ground, which makes them suitable for testing animals’ reactions. She added that passenger feedback would be carefully collected and reviewed during the trial run, enabling further improvements to be made.

The railway operator announced on Tuesday that it would launch the two-month Cat/Dog Carrying Trial Scheme on May 1 on Light Rail trains.

Passengers wishing to bring their cat or dog aboard must purchase a HK$99 ($12.73) monthly pass through the MTR mobile application, available from April 11, which is International Pet Day. Holders of the pass will be able to bring one dog or one cat on an unlimited number of Light Rail trips during weekends and on public holidays. Pet owners will need to pay for their own rides separately.

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Owners must carry their pet in a fully enclosed designated pet bag measuring no longer than 170 centimeters and with no single side longer than 130cm. They must also board through the rear doors of the compartment and remain at the rear throughout the journey.

The MTR Corp said that it will station staff members to verify pet travel passes, and notices about the trial program will be displayed inside the train compartments. Additional personnel will also be deployed for publicity and education.

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com