Exploring pet-friendly travel on bullet trains: public input sought on compassionate approach

A pet owner looks at her dog. Photo: VCG

 
Following the opening of China’s first lounge for pets waiting to board on flights at the Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport on May 8 in South China’s Guangdong Province, passengers have engaged in discussions about whether pets could also board high-speed railways. 

The China railway customer service center initiated a survey concerning the transportation of pet on high-speed railways in May, which sparked heated debates on the internet. 

The center said on Saturday that it would listen to various opinions and conduct a feasibility study of pet consignment on high-speed trains based on the survey feedback.

Extensively soliciting public input reflects a rapid and compassionate response to the passengers’ growing demand of bringing pets along the railway journey, and more importantly it demonstrates a responsible attitude by conducting detailed research before mapping out a new policy. The move has earned widespread praise among the public.

The survey consists of 15 questions, including topics such as how to minimize the impact on other passengers, pricing for pet transportation services, and how long in advance to book the service.

Currently, bullet trains in the Chinese mainland do not allow the consignment of pets but some regular-speed trains offer this service.

Facing a growing demand of pet owners for consignment along the journey, some people are in favor of the plan while some are opposed to it over safety and sanity concerns. 

Although allowing pets on high-speed trains can open up new marketing opportunities, there are still a series of pressing issues that need to be addressed. For example, whether pets should be separated from passengers for shipment or allowed in the same carriage but in different areas, and how to ensure that passengers’ right to rest is not disturbed, as well as how to effectively manage animal waste, pet hair, and potential allergic reactions, are all issues that require further study and resolution.

During peak tourist seasons such as the Spring Festival, the passenger tickets on many routes are instantly sold out, not to mention reserving a space for pets. Therefore, the biggest challenge is how to balance the transportation capacity for both passengers and pets. What is certain is that passengers’ needs of transportation shall always be prioritized over pets.

When formulating relevant policies, it is also necessary to strike a balance between public sentiment and operational costs of the pet delivery service.

In addition, not everyone enjoys the presence of pets. Considering the high passenger volume on high-speed trains and the confined space within the carriages, it’s important to prevent pets from disturbing passengers, transmitting diseases, or causing injuries. Whether pets should travel with their owners or if a separate “pets-only” carriage model should be implemented requires careful consideration rather than a one-size-fits-all decision. 

Consequently, the ongoing challenge lies in navigating through a diverse array of demands and advancing the implementation of relevant services, which truly tests the wit of the stakeholders involved.

The detailed survey demonstrated the seriousness with which the authorities are addressing these issues and their efforts to find solutions.

Building a more inclusive and friendly environment for coexistence between humans and pets requires joint efforts from all parties. Allowing pets on high-speed trains is an exploration of how to make railway services more humane. Although there are still many challenges to overcome, regardless of the final outcome, the open and rational public discussion on this matter underscores the importance of public participation and collective brainstorming and its value should not be underestimated.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn