Hong Kong Tramways

Hong Kong Tramways (HKT) is a 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow-gauge tram system in Hong Kong. Owned and operated by RATP Dev, the tramway runs on Hong Kong Island between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, with a branch circulating through Happy Valley.

Hong Kong's tram system is one of the earliest forms of public transport in the metropolis, having opened in 1904 under British rule. It has used electric trams since its inauguration, and has never used horse or steam power. It owns the world's largest operational double-decker tram fleet, and is a very rare example of a tram system that uses them exclusively. In addition to being used by commuters, the system is popular with tourists, and is one of the most environmentally friendly ways of travelling in the city.

History

Timeline

• 1881: the Bill for construction of Tramway system Hong Kong proposed by Hon F. Bulkeley Johnson, supported by Ng Choy.
• 1882: The Hong Kong Government published the preliminary Tramways Ordinance with six tramlines (Nos. 1–5 are island tramways and No.6 is Peak tramway). However, the focus was on the Peak Tram, which was of more interest to the government and business interests that largely resided on Victoria Peak. Hence, the tram proposal along Hong Kong Island was neglected.
• 1883–1888: The population increased between 1883 and 1888, from 173,475 to 215,800. The government hoped the tram system would give quick access to all areas of Victoria and reduce dependence on the chair coolies.
• 1901–1902: The Bill has processed several readings and finally passed on 23 May 1902 as Tramways Ordinance (No. 10 of 1902).
• 1902: Hongkong Tramway Electric Company Limited (香港電線車公司) founded in London. By end of 1902 under control of "Electric Traction Company of Hongkong Limited (香港電車局)".
• 1903: Tracks construction began in stages from Happy Valley, Causeway Bay to Shaukeiwan by September 1903; then connected westbound to Arsenal Street by August 1904.
• 1904: Trams commenced running on 30 July 1904. Twenty-six single-deck cars were delivered in sections and assembled in the depot. Ten cars had an enclosed saloon, but open ends and platforms (combination cars), with 32-seats for 1st class passengers, and the remaining 16 were cross-bench cars, 48-seats for third-class passengers. Fares for first and third class were ten cents and five cents respectively. Preferential fares for workers on workmen's cars from 1904 to 1909. Originally it had been intended to have three classes of passenger accommodation but two were finally applied, 1st and 3rd.
• 1910: Company name changed to "Hongkong Tramway Company Limited".
• 1912: Ten double-deckers introduced in 1912 due to increasing ridership. Open-top design fitted with destination boxes and reversible seats on the upper deck.
• 1913: Open-top cars fitted with canvas roofs for wet weather protection. First dividend was paid by HKT for the year 1912. Happy Valley track was extended 600 yards.
• 1914: The London Board was disbanded and replaced by Hong Kong Board with local Directors.
• 1922: HKT stopped generating its own electricity and obtained its supply from Hong Kong Electric Company. Company name changed to "Hongkong Tramways Limited" (HKT).
• 1923: Wooden roof progressively fitted on tramcars.
• 1924: Double track between Causeway Bay and Shaukeiwan was commenced.
• 1925: Enclosed double-decker trams brought new green livery in service. Waiting room for 1st class passengers in use.
• 1927: Sided indicators fitted on tramcars.
• 1928: HKT commenced operation on island and Kowloon buses.
• 1929: Shaukeiwan loop in service.
• 1932: North Point Depot under construction and completed in 1938.
• 1934: Refuge islands began to be introduced at some busy tram stops to increase passenger safety.
• 1936: Tram fares reduced for competing with the buses.
• 1937: Coronation week with a million ridership carried.
• 1939: Air brake fitted on tramcars.
• 1941: Japanese occupation begins. Limited service was provided. One single-decker was used for freight transport. Service suspended in 1944 due to fuel shortage.
• 1945: After Japanese occupation, only 15 tramcars were operational out of 112. By October 1945, 40 tramcars were back in daytime service only.
• 1945: Tram service gradually resumed. Flat fares with 1st class 20 cents and 3rd class 10 cents.
• 1948: Relaying of double-track at Causeway Bay.
• 1949: Car 120, first new designed and constructed by HKT, entered service. The last single-track was replaced by double-track. Annual ridership exceeded 100 million.
• 1950: HKT rebuilt the entire fleet jointly worked with Taikoo Dockyard.
• 1951: Rebuilding of Russell Street Depot and renamed Sharp Street Depot.
• 1953: Causeway Bay loop closed and new North Point terminus in use.
• 1954: First official route map printed for passengers.
• 1955: North Point Depot closed.
• 1956: New resilient wheel from Sweden introduced for improving riding quality.
• 1959: All cars had half-drop windows for the driver.
• 1961: Tram service suspended under typhoon Ellen.
• 1964: First single-deck prototype trailer introduced. First tram overturned accident.
• 1965: 10 additional trailers ordered from UK. Trailers were attached to the backs of tramcars and designed to serve first class passengers only. Service limited to North Point only due to gradient at Taikoo Hill.
• 1966: Trolley reverser installed at Causeway Road for emergency purpose.
• 1967: Last trailer built by HKT and withdrawn in 1978.
• 1969: Few experimental liveries tested on tramcars.
• 1971: Introduction of female conductors.
• 1972: Class distinction abolished. Passengers aboard rear and pay-as-you-leave (PAYL).
• 1974: HKT acquired by The Wharf (Holdings)
• 1975: First full-body adverts applied on trams
• 1976: fareboxes installed at each tram front exit, and rotating turnstiles fitted at the rear entrance. Trams in one-man-operation (OMO) and conductors were no longer needed and shifted to become motormen.
• 1979: Tram no.163 (rebuilt from trailer 1) in service.
• 1982: Trailers withdrawn from service.
• 1983: Introduction of route map on tramstops.
• 1985: Car 12 exported for Expo' 86
• 1986: Tram refurbishment began. First tour tram No.28 launched.
• 1987: 2nd tour tram No. 128 launched.
• 1989: Sharp Street Depot closed and new depots relocated at Whitty Street and Sai Wan Ho.
• 1990: Trial runs on overnight service.
• 1991: New built tram 120 in place of 1949 prototype.
• 1992: Two HKT-built double-decker tramcars exported to the Wirral Tramway in Birkenhead, England. Points automation introduced in place of pointsmen's cabins.
• 1993: HKT built two maximum traction bogies for testing.
• 1994: Testing of pantograph on tram
• 1995: Double platforms at Happy Valley terminus
• 1997: Final year of The Most Attractive Tram Ads Competition
• 1998: Introduction of coloured destination blinds
• 2000: HKT launches new "Millennium" trams designed and manufactured by its own engineering team on 24 October.
• 2001: Octopus electronic smart card payment system introduced on trams.
• 2004: HKT celebrates 100 years of service.
• 2007: Route maps reinstalled at each tram stop. New tram driving panels introduced on 7 November.
• 2008: Air conditioning installed on tour tram 128.
• 2009: 50% stake and operating rights obtained by Veolia Transport RATP Asia (now RATP Dev Transdev Asia), followed by full ownership in 2010.
• 2011: HKT launched Signature trams on 28 November 2011. It features combination of a modern interior design and a traditional outlook with LED displays, stops reporting and AC motors.
• 2012: HKT launched "NexTram" passenger info system.
• 2013: HKT proposed a modern light rail system for East Kowloon as a cheaper alternative to monorail.
• 2014: HKT celebrates 110 years of service.
• 2015: Following the opening of the West Island line of the MTR, daily tramway ridership drops 10% to 180,000.
• 2016: HKT gives real-time estimated time of arrival data to Citymapper, becoming the first transport operator in Hong Kong to do so. Launched first sightseeing car in January and first air-conditioned car in June.
• 2017: Rebrand with new logo, new livery, and new map.
• 2018: HKT launched fourth party tram
• 2019: HKT celebrates 115 years of service with series of events. Introduction of Bright Ring Tram
• 2020: Introduction of day running lights on trams for better night service. Employed Ding Ding Cat as tram ambassador
• 2021: HKT achieved Guinness World Records as "Largest double-decker tram fleet in service"
• 2022: A total of 10 Free Ride Days were organised with favorable responses. New fares applied on 11 July.

Practical information

• Fare – $3.00 (aged 12 or above), $1.5 (children aged 3 to 11), $1.3 (elderly aged 65 or above)
• Operating hours – 5:30 am to 12:30 am
• Total length – 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) (Track length 30 kilometres (19 mi))

On average, the headway between each tram departure is approximately 1.5 minutes during peak hours. The maximum capacity of each tram is 115 people. Previously, the average tram speed was around 30 kilometres per hour (19 mph). Since early 2008, the speed of the trams was increased. The tram's general speed is currently around 40 kilometres per hour (25 mph). Most of the trams have a maximum speed of more than 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph), while some have a maximum speed of 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph). Hong Kong people informally call the tramway the "Ding Ding" and the trams as "Ding Dings", in reference to the double-bell ring used by the trams to warn pedestrians of their approach. Relative to buses and the subway system, trams are often the cheapest public transportation option.

Tickets

As of 31 July 2022, HKT fares are $3.0 for adults, $1.5 for children, and $1.3 for senior citizens. Unlike most forms of public transport in Hong Kong, HKT fares are uniform regardless of the distance travelled. Monthly tickets costing $260 are sold at the Shek Tong Tsui, Causeway Bay, and North Point termini at the end of each month.

Passengers pay upon alighting by either depositing the exact fare in coins into the farebox, with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, JCB and UnionPay), mobile wallet e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay or using an Octopus card.Turnstiles at the tram entrances and closed circuit television prevent fare evasion by passengers.

Tourist services

Sightseeing tours are available on antique-style tramcar No. 68, which has an open balcony and a historical exhibit on board. Sightseeing tram boarding and alighting take place at the sightseeing tour termini: Western Market and Causeway Bay.

Standard tramcars and antique-style, open-balcony tramcars No. 18, No. 28, No. 68, and No. 128 are available for private charter. Charter tram boarding and alighting take place at Whitty Street Depot, except for premium charter tramcar No. 18; its boarding and alighting takes place at Western Market Terminus.

Routes and stops

The trams run on a double-track tram line built parallel to the northern coastline of Hong Kong Island from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, with a single clockwise-running track of about 3 km (1.9 mi) around the Happy Valley Racecourse.

There are six overlapping routes:

• Kennedy Town ↔ Happy Valley
• Kennedy Town ↔ Shau Kei Wan
• Shek Tong Tsui ↔ Causeway Bay
• Shek Tong Tsui ↔ North Point
• Western Market ↔ Shau Kei Wan
• Happy Valley ↔ Shau Kei Wan

HKT currently has around 120 tram stops, including its seven termini. The termini, from west to east, are Kennedy Town, Shek Tong Tsui, Western Market, Happy Valley, Causeway Bay, North Point, and Shau Kei Wan. The stops are densely located, with an average interval of 250 metres (820 ft) between them. Several tram stops are located in the middle of the road on sheltered refugee islands, which are accessed by pedestrian crossings or footbridges. Track crossovers near the Davis Street, Eastern Street, Pedder Street, Admiralty MTR station, Gresson Street, Victoria Park, North Point Road, and Mount Parker Road stops are used in emergency situations, such as en-route traffic accidents. The majority of HKT stops have remained unchanged since their establishment, but some have had name changes. The Pedder Street stop was previously named Shu Shun Kwun (書信館), which referred to a now-demolished former General Post Office building.

• Hong Kong Tramways termini

Interchanges

The Island line of the MTR is roughly parallel to the tram line between the Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan termini. Some sections of MTR tunnels are built directly under roads with tram tracks. Many HKT stops are near MTR stations.

Ferry terminals can be accessed from the tram line via footbridges, such as the Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal and the Central Ferry Piers. The latter contains Star Ferry Pier, which is one of the stops for the Star Ferry.

Fleet

HKT has a rare fully double-decker tram fleet. As of 2014, HKT owned 165 double-axle, double-decker trams. There are three maintenance-only trams (No. 200, No. 300, and No. 400) that operate after regular tram service has stopped. The trams are equipped with sliding windows and almost all have full-body advertisements.

Note: Generally, there are no specific/official generation categories on tramcars. Many of the trams in one generation were simply modifications of the previous, such as open-balcony tramcars fitted with canvas roofs and then wooden roofs. The term "generation" should only apply to the new designs.

Service fleet

• Mitsubishi Fuso Canter overhead cable maintenance vehicle No. 6016.
• Temporary truck stand used for raising tram bodies and frames when trucks are removed for maintenance; it has small wheels that allow it to move around the depot.

Depots

Current depots

Whitty Street Depot, which opened on 27 May 1989 and is located in Shek Tong Tsui, is the main depot for current operations and trams overhaul. It previously operated as a terminus. When the Sharp Street Depot was closed in 1989, the site was expanded by 1.28 hectares (3.2 acres). It has a two-storey workshop with capacity of over 100 trams.

Sai Wan Ho Depot opened on 28 April 1989 and occupies a site of 0.7 hectares (1.7 acres) leased from the government on a 5-year renewable tenancy. It lies beneath the Island Eastern Corridor near Shau Kei Wan Road and Hoi Foo Street. It has a capacity of over 60 trams and is for parking purpose only.

Defunct depots

A single, comprehensive depot at Russell Street in Causeway Bay was the only depot of the system in its early days. It was able to house the whole tram fleet (approximately 120 tramcars). By 1932, Russell Street Depot became overcrowded due to an upsurge in the number of trams, prompting HKT to build North Point Depot at King's Road for tram parking purposes (storage for 30 tramcars). Russell Street Depot was later expanded and renamed Sharp Street Depot. North Point Depot closed in 1951; its former location is now the site of the Healthy Gardens complex. In July 1986, the Executive Council approved HKT's plan to establish new depots at Shek Tong Tsui and Sai Wan Ho. HKT claimed that $3.5 million in operating costs would be saved. HKT promised that fares would be unchanged until the end of 1988. Sharp Street Depot was closed on 20 March 1989. The site is now occupied by the Times Square complex.

Projects

Current projects

In 2010, HKT appointed a consultancy firm to investigate the feasibility of constructing a 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) modern tramway system in the Kai Tak Development, built on the vacated site of the former Kai Tak Airport, in place of the Environmentally Friendly Linkage System monorail proposed by the Hong Kong Government. A proposal was submitted to the Development Bureau on 29 April 2013. HKT pointed out that the cost of constructing the proposed tram system is $2.8 billion, which is less than the $12 billion needed for a monorail system. Possible extensions to neighbouring places such as To Kwa Wan, Kowloon City, and Kwun Tong were suggested. Bruno Charrade, managing director of HKT, said that the new system's tramcars could be designed to resemble their Hong Kong Island counterparts or have a totally new design, depending on the government's discretion.

Beginning in 2011, the entire HKT fleet will be refurbished over a period of seven years at a cost of $75 million. The trams will keep their original exterior design, but the outer teak structures will be replaced with aluminium structures. The benches on the lower decks of the trams will be replaced with modern-looking single seats. Digital broadcasts will be placed inside the trams to inform passengers of the next stop, and LED lighting will be installed. AC motors will replace the current DC motors and a new magnetic emergency braking system will be added.

Abandoned projects

During the 1910s, HKT proposed the Kowloon Tramways Project. However, the completion of KCR Railway caused the government to veto the plan.

In 1970, Chai Wan on the east side of Hong Kong Island was developed into a residential and industrial area, which greatly increased traffic demand to Central. Extending the tram line from Shau Kei Wan to Chai Wan was considered, but was ultimately rejected. This was due to low cost effectiveness associated with the need to tunnel through the hills between Shau Kei Wan and Chai Wan to maintain level track. The Island line of the MTR was built instead, and its first phase, between Chai Wan and Admiralty, opened on 31 May 1985.

During the development of Tuen Mun New Town in the 1970s, the government reserved space for the construction of a rail transportation system. In 1982, the government invited HKT to construct and operate a tram system in the area. HKT initially expressed interest in the construction of the railway and intended to operate it with double-decker trams, but later withdrew. The government then invited Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation to construct and operate a light rail system. That system, now known as the Light Rail, opened to the public on 18 September 1988.

April 2017 accident

During the early hours of Thursday, 6 April 2017, a tram tipped over in Central, injuring 14 people. Soon after, it was suggested that the tram was travelling too fast into a turn. The driver was later arrested for allegedly causing grievous bodily harm due to dangerous driving. Two days later, it was reported that HKT suspended a speed monitoring programme intended to discourage drivers from travelling too slowly.

See also

• Blackpool Tramway, also uses double-deck trams, but not exclusively
• Trams in Alexandria, also uses double-deck trams, but not exclusively
• Trams in China
• Transport in Hong Kong

References

Further reading

Books

• 謝耀漢 Joseph Tse Yiu-hon, John Prentice, 香港電車文化保育學會 Hong Kong Trams Culture Preservation Society (2022). 由電線車說起 – 駛過百年的軌跡. Chung Hwa Book Co. ISBN 978-988-8807-89-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• 謝耀漢 Joseph Tse Yiu-hon, 香港電車文化保育學會 Hong Kong Trams Culture Preservation Society (2020). 香港電車 – 城市軌跡 Hong Kong Trams: The City's Heritage. 超媒體出版. ISBN 978-988-8700-31-8.
• 謝耀漢 Joseph Tse Yiu-hon, John Prentice (2017). Hongkong Tramways 香港電車: updating the original work of R.L.P. Atkinson and A.K. Williams. Light Rail Transport Association. ISBN 978-0-948106-48-4.
• R.L.P. Atkinson, A.K. Williams (1970). Hongkong Tramways: A history of Hongkong Tramways Limited, and predecessor companies. Light Railway Transport League. ISBN 978-090-04333-1-3.
• Barnett, Martin (1984). Tramlines: The Story of the Hong Kong Tramway System. South China Morning Post. ISBN 962-100-032-7.
• Davis, Mike (2004). Hong Kong Trams — Hong Kong Tramways 100 Years. DTS. ISBN 1-900515-95-4.
• Jones, Martin (1984). Tram Jam: The Hong Kong Tram Collection. Presstram. ISBN 962-711-801-X.
• Joseph, Tse; Lau, Ricky (2012). Amazing Ding Ding. 天地圖書有限公司. ISBN 978-988-219-819-7.
• C.L., Lee (2015). Hong Kong Tramways: a glimpse of its century. Chung Hwa Book Co. (H.K.) Ltd.
• Lee, Eric (2012). A Centenary Date with Hong Kong Tramways. Tramric. ISBN 978-988-16655-0-8.
• Lee, Eric (2016). Hong Kong Tramways: Across the City, Across the Century. 中華書局(香港)出版有限公司. ISBN 978-988-83669-6-5.
• Liu, Bona; Lee, Eric; et al. (2013). Tram Art Gallery. Tramric. ISBN 978-988-16655-8-4.
• WE LOVE TRAM. Hong Kong Tram Enthusiasts. 2011. ISBN 978-988-19956-4-3. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013.

Websites

• DeWolf, Christopher (30 September 2013). "Rethinking Hong Kong's Trams". URBANPHOTO: Cities / People / Place. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
• Frederick Stewart. "Report on the Blue Book and Departmental Reports for 1888" (PDF). Colonial Secretary's Office. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
• Mullany, Gerry (14 October 2013). "Modern Subways Zip Below, but a City's Trams, Slow and Sweaty, Plod On". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
• "The proposed new tramway to Victoria Gap". Hong Kong Telegraph. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
• The Complete Guide of riding HK Tramways Central Lion Rock. May 2023

External links

• Official website