By RK Shih/Staff. Image via KH City Transport Bureau.
KAOHSIUNG — Kaohsiung’s dog-friendly bus service for weekends and public holidays will start May 1, with pet owners allowed to bring leashed dogs on board without using carriers on designated trips.
The pilot program will run on Route 52A, operated by Harbor Bus (港都客運), the Kaohsiung City Government’s Transportation Bureau said. The route was selected because it passes Jhongzheng Dog Park (中正狗狗運動公園).
Transportation Bureau Director Chang Shu-chuan (張淑娟) said the trial is aimed in part at helping owners of medium and large dogs, who have had fewer options for taking their pets on public transportation because of size restrictions.
Under the trial, each person may bring one dog on board, provided the animal is kept on a leash. Owners must bring their own cleaning supplies, may not allow dogs to occupy seats, and may not feed them during the ride. The Animal Protection Office (動保處) also urged owners to monitor their dogs’ mood and behavior throughout the trip.
The designated dog-friendly buses will run 22 times daily on weekends and national holidays. Departures from MRT Weiwuying Station (捷運衛武營站) are scheduled for 6 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8:55 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:05 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:50 p.m., and 10 p.m.
Departures from Kaohsiung Station (高雄車站) are scheduled for 6:20 a.m., 7:40 a.m., 9:20 a.m., 11:25 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 3:35 p.m., 5:05 p.m., 7:55 p.m., 9:15 p.m., and 10:25 p.m.
All other regular bus services in Kaohsiung will continue to require pets to travel in carriers. Passengers can check service details through the Transportation Bureau website or the Kaohsiung iBus app.
