Hong Kong’s first pet-friendly bus service has been a roaring success, with dozens of owners and their furry companions enjoying a ride on the inaugural journey.
Cats and dogs of all breeds were welcomed aboard the KMB double-decker with their excited owners outside Tsuen Wan MTR station in the morning, and travellers took pictures with their beloved pets on board.
The new service was a hit with commuters, as pets are otherwise prohibited from riding on MTR trains, public buses and trams.
Several pet owners lauded the service, telling the Post that it provided a cheap and convenient way to travel with their pets for just HK$35 (US$4.50) per journey for each traveller with one animal.
Individual commuters travelling with more than one pet would need to purchase an extra ticket.
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Administrative worker Niko Law, who boarded the bus with her 2-year-old standard poodle Lulu, said the pair had taken a taxi from Yuen Long to Tsuen Wan just so they could experience the ride.
“Since he is a medium-sized dog, going out with Lulu costs about HK$200 one way on a private-hire van, so a day out would already set me back HK$400,” she said.
“We came specially to show our support for this service and demonstrate that dog owners can travel on public transport responsibly.”
The SCMP observed that most dogs on board were leashed and well-behaved during the 20-minute bus ride, with only some of the animals barking occasionally. Some pets also wore diapers and muzzles as a travel precaution.
Owners spent the ride happily snapping photos of their pets on their first public bus ride.
Cecily Wong, owner of 14-year-old toy poodle Momo, said she was looking forward to a day exploring cafes and walking along the Shing Mun River with her pet. She called for the service to be expanded to other parts of the city.
“I hope they can also offer this on Hong Kong Island as some of my fellow pet parents who live across the harbour have said they could use the service,” she said.
The service currently covers popular pet-friendly destinations such as Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung, the West Kowloon Cultural District and Ma Wan.
“These tours will depart from Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan on weekends and holidays, taking passengers to various pet-friendly destinations, allowing owners to enjoy the fun of riding the bus with their furry friends while promoting a pet-friendly community,” KMB said earlier this week.
It added that part of the proceeds from the service would be donated to animal welfare organisations.
A KMB spokesman told the SCMP on Sunday that “Pet Bus Tour”, organised by the bus firm and Hoi Tai Tours, had received highly positive feedback on its first day.
The double-decker bus service from Tsuen Wan and another from Sha Tin had been fully booked, while other trips at various time slots had seen strong turnouts, he added.
The spokesman said KMB and Hoi Tai Tours would look at feedback from pet owners on how to further improve the service, and would consider expanding it to more locations.
The current service spans five routes and will operate on weekends and public holidays at 30-minute intervals from 10am to 4.30pm.
Dogs must be licensed, chipped and vaccinated to ride the bus, while those classified as dangerous breeds by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department should be leashed and muzzled for the entire trip.
Some shopping centres in Hong Kong currently allow entry to pets if they are carried by their owners or placed in strollers.
