TRAMS

Hong Kong’s rickety old trams have been rumbling along the northern side of Hong Kong Island since 1904 and provide a wonderfully inexpensive and enjoyable opportunity to experience a moving theatre of scenery and street life. The first trams were all single-deck which were followed by open-air double-deck trams in 1912 and by enclosed double-deck trams in 1925. About 230,000 tram journeys a day and 82 million tram journeys each year are made by tram and although fares have remained unchanged since 1998 the tram company's profits have surged from around HK$2 million a year between 1996 and 2006 to about HK$30 million in 2008 mainly derived from enhanced advertising services which has seen some eye-catching graphic whole-body tram adverts.

Tram services in Hong Kong are regulated by provisions of the Government's Tramways Ordinance. Since 1974 Hong Kong Tramways have been operated by Wharf (Holdings) Ltd but in April 2009 Hong Kong Tramways agreed a 50/50 partnership between Wharf Transport Investments Limited (a subsidiary of The Wharf (Holdings) Limited) and Veolia Transport China Limited. Veolia were given an option to purchase the remaining 50% and during February 2010 confirmed their intention to exercise the option in March 2010.

The line extends for 13km from Kennedy Town at the western end to Shau Kei Wan on the north east coast with a 3km single-track“loop” running through the Happy Valley district of Causeway Bay. There are six routes (detailed below) some of which overlap, but none extends to the full length of the line. The easiest way to travel the full length is to take a tram from Kennedy Town terminus and change at Western Market to tram heading for Shau Kei Wan terminus, an overall journey time of about 80 minutes.

The fare for each journey is just HK$2 (HK$1 for elders over 65 and children under 12) which can be paid either by OCTOPUS CARD or in coins (no change is given). Passengers pay on leaving the tram by the driver. Trams run at frequent intervals (1.5 to 4 minutes) from about 5-10am to midnight but can be subject to “bunching” where after a longer than usual interval several will arrive in convoy. The current fleet stands at 163 double-deck trams which is the world's largest fleet of double-deck trams still in service. There are two tram depots at Whitty Street and Sai Wan Ho and since 1950 Hong Kong Tramways has built its own trams. A modernisation programme was commenced some years ago but only three refurbished “millennium trams” (see picture below) have been introduced and the programme appears to have been abandoned. The modernised trams which are not air-conditioned have proved to be uncomfortable for passengers in the summer heat and humidity. There are plans for the current wood-frames trams to be replaced with new metal-framed which would be cheaper to maintain as the wood-frame trams need rebuilding about every six years and if approved the new trams may be introduced in 2010. The exisiting fleet includes two open top trams available for private hire and also three modernised “millennium” trams. The trams are nicknamed "Ding Ding Tram", a reference to the bell used to warn traffic and pedestrians of their approach. When bells were replaced by a "beeper" in 2000 a public outcry led to the "ding-ding bells" being reintroduced.

Standing in trams is allowed and is commonplace both upstairs and downstairs. Tram stops are located at an average of 250 metre intervals and are often situated in islands in the middle of the road.

There are currently plans for a new "tourist loop" line to run from Star Ferry Pier in Central to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on reclaimed land. A technical feasibility study was being carried out in early 2009 and it is understood that the operator is considering replica trams showing different designs of trams which have operated since 1904.

In December 2009 following a four-month study of passenger travelling habits and demand which showed demand for services is highest at the western end of the line between Wan Chai and Shau Kei Wan, Veolia Transport is proposing a revamp of services which would see faster and more frequent but shorter services at the western end of the line and less frequent services on other sections of line. There would be fewer long-distance services such as Kennedy Town to North Point but passengers would be able to transfer to connecting trams at "free transfer areas" without having to pay additional fare. However, this would be dependent on approval being granted for new tram turnarounds at areas such as Quarry Bay, Causeway Bay and Wan Chai to enable shorter routes. Veolia also plan an internal refurbishment of the trams and also intend introducing a fleet management system to improve operational efficiency. Tram 172 has been refurbished and operating test runs. The improvements include soft LED lighting, new seating with individual seats on the lower deck replacing bench seats, next stop information displays and new motors. There are also plans to increase the number of trams and increase service frequency.

Tram 69 leaving Shau Kei Wan Terminus

THE SIX ROUTES AND APPROXIMATE JOURNEY TIMES ARE;

Kennedy Town – Western Market (23 mins)

Kennedy Town – Causeway Bay (55 mins)

Kennedy Town – Happy Valley (60 mins)

Western Market – Shau Kei Wan (58 mins)

Whitty Street – North Point (56 mins)

Happy Valley – Shau Kei Wan (42 mins)

A full route map can be downloaded from here;

http://www.hktramways.com/en/service/routemap.html 

Tram 61 passing through Chun Yeung Street street market, North Point

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Hong Kong Tourism Board has recently produced a "Ding Ding Hong Kong Tram Guide" video for tourists and this can be viewed on the HKTB website at;

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/tramguide/eng/

Tram 169 "millennium tram" is one of only three modernised trams in the fleet

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RIDING THE TRAM- SUGGESTED TOURIST SIGHTSEEING TRAM RIDE

A tram ride is a wonderful way for visitors to experience the colour and atmosphere of Hong Kong's streetlife and this suggested trip enables the opportunity to take an upstairs front-seat "grandstand" ride through some of Hong Kong's most interesting districts;

Take the MTR Island Line to North Point. Exit the station via Exit B2 to emerge on King’s Road. Cross King’s Road and follow it to your left for about 200 yards where you will see a junction in the tram tracks where trams emerging from the short loop to North Point Tram Terminus along Chun Yeung Street rejoin the main line. The terminus is on the left and here you will be able to join an empty tram and occupy the upper deck front seats for superb views. There is usually at least one tram waiting at the terminus but if not you won’t have to wait long. You enter the tram through the turnstile at the rear and pay the fare either by Octopus Card or in coins at the front door by the driver as you disembark from the tram.

Grandstand view of Hong Kong's streetlife from upper deck front seats

Trams from North Point travel to Whitty Street (where the main tram depot is located) in the Sai Ying Pun district which is just beyond Western Market near the entrance to the Western Harbour Crossing. Commencing the journey at North Point Terminus the tram swings out into the centre of the wide and busy King’s Road and rumbles through its colourful shopping district. Other than in bad weather the glass sliding tram windows are usually open and as the tram pulls alongside trams travelling in the opposite direction at tram stops it is possible to shake hands with the occupants through the open windows. Soon the tram passes Fortress Hill MTR station on the left and on the right the huge AIA Tower soars into the sky. The line originally ran right next to the coastline and what you see on your right is all built on reclaimed land. Approaching Causeway Bay Tin Hau MTR station is on the right and just beyond on the right is Victoria Park with its basketball courts and football pitches in the foreground and green space behind. On the left the tram passes the modern 12 storey Hong Kong Central Library with its neo Greco-Roman façade then passes the Causeway Bay Tram Terminus outside the Regal Hong Kong Hotel continuing its clattering journey along Yee Wo Street into the shopping district. The huge Sogo department store is on the right and from here right along the stretch to Wan Chai the trams upper deck is immersed in a forest of neon lights which at night time form a truly spectacular sight. Beyond Wan Chai the tram passes along Queensway in the Admiralty district with its modern office blocks and the prestigious Pacific Place shopping mall on the left and harbour views to the right. Onwards into Central with the 70 storey Bank of China Tower and its strange geometrical shapes dominating the skyline on the left and then continuing round the corner into Des Voeux Road past the HSBC building and on the right Statue Square and the LEGCO building. The tram continues right through the heart of bustling Central with its shops and offices along the full length of Des Voeux Road through Sheung Wan and reaches Western Market Tram Terminus, about 50 minutes journey time from North Point. The distinctive maroon painted Western Market is just ahead. It’s best to leave the tram at the terminus here although the tram carries on a little further alongside the flyovers and underpasses around the entrance to the Western Harbour Crossing there’s nothing of too much interest to see. Should you want to continue the journey to Kennedy Town change trams here at the Western Market Terminus.

Tram at Queens Road, Central