Hong Kong Tramways

Hong Kong Tramways
香港電車

A Hong Kong double-decker tram
Overview
Locale  Hong Kong
Transit type Tramway
Number of lines 6
Number of stations 120
Daily ridership 180,000 (2015)[1]
Website hktramways.com
Operation
Began operation 1904
Operator(s) Hong Kong Tramways Limited (Wholly owned by Veolia Transport – RATP Asia)
Number of vehicles 163
Technical
System length 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) (Track length 30 km/19 mi)
Track gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Electrification Overhead lines, 550 V DC
Hong Kong Tramways
Traditional Chinese 香港電車
Cantonese Jyutping hoeng1 gong2 din6 ce1
Tram on Connaught Road West in the 1930s.
Hong Kong double-decker tram #120, one of only two trams in the fleet to have retained their 1950s' style.
A broken-down tram may result in serious traffic congestion

Hong Kong Tramways (Chinese: 香港電車) is a tram system in Hong Kong and one of the earliest forms of public transport in the metropolis. Owned and operated by Veolia Transport RATP Asia, the tramway runs on Hong Kong Island between Shau Kei Wan and Kennedy Town, with a branch circulating through Happy Valley.

Trams in Hong Kong have not only been a form of commuter transport for over 110 years, but also a major tourist attraction and one of the most environmentally friendly ways of travelling in Hong Kong.[2] The tram system is the only one in the world operated exclusively with double-decker trams, and is one of only three non-heritage tram systems in the world that use double-deck cars.

The tram is the cheapest mode of public transport on the island. The comparatively affordable fare is highlighted by Hong Kong Tramways' advertising slogan: "Hop on 1. $2.3. Tram so easy!"

History

Hong Kong's tram system was inaugurated using electric trams. It has never used horse or steam power.

Timeline

Ownership

Tram routes

Route map showing the current tram termini and major stops along the route
Hong Kong Tramways track map

The trams run on a double track tramline 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 7 tram termini located along the tram line, namely, from west to east, Kennedy Town, Shek Tong Tsui (a.k.a. Whitty Street), Sheung Wan (Western Market), Happy Valley, Causeway Bay, North Point and Shau Kei Wan; some intermediate stops such as Sai Ying Pun, Admiralty MTR Station, Wan Chai, and Victoria Park are also equipped with crossovers so that they can be used as makeshift termini in emergency situations, such as en-route traffic accidents.

There are six major overlapping routes:

Painted on the track in Chinese: 電車綫, and in English: TRAM LANE
Service hours
From Bound Weekdays Saturdays Sundays and
general holidays
Kennedy Town eastbound 05:10–23:54 05:07–23:5705:12–23:54
Western Market eastbound 06:00–00:02 06:01–00:00 06:13–00:00
Happy Valley eastbound06:34–23:10 06:34–23:10 06:34–23:10
west bound05:59–00:37 06:00–00:40 06:04–00:37
North Pointwestbound06:07–23:17 05:20–23:17 06:07–23:17
Shau Kei Wanwestbound05:58–23:55 05:58–23:36 05:56–23:36
average frequency during peak hours: 90 seconds
Duration of journey (in minutes)
Western Market Causeway Bay Happy Valley North PointShau Kei Wan
Kennedy Town 23 55 60 7080
Western Market – 35 40 50 58
Causeway Bay 40 - 5 35 42
Happy Valley 35 5 - 15 25
North Point 50 15 35 - 15

Practical information

On average, the headway between each tram departure is approximately 1.5 minutes during peak hours. In the past, trams had a maximum speed of 40 km/h. However, since early 2008, the maximum speed of some trams was increased, with a maximum speed of 50 km/h now enabled on most trams - a few of them even have a maximum speed of 60 km/h. The maximum capacity of each tramcar is 115 people.

Tickets

The current fare is HK$2.30 for adults, HK$1.20 for children under 12, and HK$1.10 for senior citizens 65 and above. Unlike most other forms of public transport in Hong Kong, fare charged is uniform regardless of the distance travelled. Monthly tickets are also available at the cost of HK$200, sold at Shek Tong Tsui, Causeway Bay, and North Point Terminus at the end of each month.

Passengers pay upon alighting by either depositing the exact fare in coins into the farebox, or by tapping the Octopus card on the processor. The turnstile at the tram entrance and closed circuit television prevent fare evasion by passengers.

Ordinary and antique trams are available for private hire. The open-balcony antique trams are often used for parties and promotional events. Tourists can also travel on the open-top trams through tours organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Fleet

Trams passing each other next to Statue Square, in Central.
Most trams are now covered with overall advertising livery.

Hong Kong Tramways now owns 163 double axle double-decker trams, including two open-balcony dim-sum tourist trams (Vehicle numbers 28 and 128) for tourist trips and private hire. There are three maintenance-only trams (Vehicle numbers 200, 300 and 400) which operate after tram service has stopped.

The trams themselves are sometimes called the "Ding Ding" (Chinese: 叮叮) by Hong Kong people, being the onomatopoeia of the iconic double bell ring trams use to warn pedestrians of their approach. The term "ding ding" is now often used to refer to the whole tram system, e.g. "travel by tram" (Chinese: 搭電車) as "take ding ding" (搭叮叮).

Hong Kong has the only fully double-decker tram fleet in the world. Most of the trams in operation were rebodied between 1987 to 1992. They are equipped with sliding windows. Since the early 2000s, these trams have been upgraded to provide better operating performance and safety. Almost all trams have full-body advertisements.

Fleet history

The tram fleet first consisted of 26 single-deck trams, with bodies 29 ft (8.8 m) long and 6 ft 1 in (1.9 m) wide, imported from England. However, they were quickly removed because of the rapid modernisation programmes. These tramcars were replaced by open-top double-deck tramcars from 1912 onwards. The introduction of permanent roofs for trams in 1923 was a big improvement to the system. In 1960s, adding trailers was proposed due to the increasing population and demands. In 1964, after testing a prototype built by Taikoo Dockyard in Hong Kong, 10 trailers were ordered from the UK and were added to the trams in Hong Kong in early 1965. Ten additional trailers were ordered from England in 1967, bringing the total number of trailers to 22. They were all withdrawn and scrapped by the end of 1982, since they used to derail frequently and were not economical to run – requiring a separate conductor for only 36 extra passengers.

Trams 12 and 50 are the only two trams still maintaining the original 1950s design, being restored at a railway museum in the United States and at a museum in Hong Kong, respectively. The cabins are varnished with their original light-green colour with teak-lined windows and rattan seats.

In 2000, three new aluminium alloy metal-bodied trams (officially called "Millennium trams"), #168 – 170, started operation. These trams have proven quite unpopular due to the poor ventilation in the summer – unlike on previous models, the front screen window cannot be opened to improve air-flow to passengers. A prototype air-conditioned tram, number 171, is under testing.

New driving panel of a tram.

In 2007, a new maintenance tram was constructed, number 300, which is used to move trams in the depot. Besides electric power, it also uses a diesel motor.

Starting 7 November, new driving panels has been installed on trams after refurbishment. The first tram on the program was number 38.

In 2008, an air-conditioner was installed on the 'antique' tram #128.

Tram Refurbishment

A VVVF drive tram.

In October 2010, Veolia Transport showcased a prototype for the new model of trams. It plans to renovate the whole fleet at a cost of HKD 75 Million. The trams would keep their original exterior design, but the outer structure would be aluminium rather than teak as it is more durable. The benches on the lower deck would be replaced with single seats as well as a more modern look. Digital broadcasts would be placed inside trams to inform passengers of the next station, and LED lighting will be installed. AC motors and a new eddy current emergency braking system would be installed.[3][4][5]

Open balcony tram #28
Fleet Details
Fleet list and details
Make/Model Description Fleet size Year acquired Year retired Notes
Dick, Kerr & Company of Preston, England (#1–16, #27-36) and Electric Railway & Tramway Works Limited of Preston (a Dick Kerr subsidiary) (#17–26) First Generation cars single deck cars – wood 36 (reduced to 18 in 1912-1913, and further to 14 in 1923) 1904–1905 1935
United Electric Car Company of Preston, England & Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co.of Kowloon, Hong Kong - Second Generation cars double decker cars – wood 28 (10 as new, 18 rebuilt from single deck cars) 1912–1913 1924 (All were converted to fixed roof tram) open-topped
English Electric Company Preston, England & Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co.of Kowloon, Hong Kong - Third Generation cars double decker cars – wood 48 (44 as new, 4 rebuilt from single deck cars, Second Generation cars also rebuilt with wooden fixed roof) 1923–1924 1930 new cars of first 16 cars fitted with canvas roof, others fitted with wooden fixed roof
Hong Kong Tramways, Hong Kong - fourth Generation cars (prewar) double decker car – wood 119 (57 as new, 62 were rebuilt from existing fleet) 1925–1949 1955 62 trams were converted from: 14 first-generation trams and 48 third-generation trams
Hong Kong Tramways, Hong Kong - fifth Generation cars (1949, 1950s style) double decker car – aluminium panels, teak frame 163 (43 as new, 1 rebuilt in 1979 from a non-powered trailer car #1, others rebuilt from existing fleet) 1949 (original #120), 1950-1964 (#121-162), 1979 (#163) 1992
Hong Kong Tramways, Hong Kong - sixth Generation cars (current design) double decker car – aluminium panels, teak frame 157 – #120 (rebuilt in 1990s based on 1950s style) and rest from the 1980s (#1–27, 29–43, 45–119, 121–127, 129–143, 145–150, 151–163, 165–166) rebuilt from 1986, 1987 – 1992
Hong Kong Tramways, Hong Kong Millennium double decker car – aluminium alloy 4 (only 3 in service) – #168–171 2000 #171 air-condition unit being tested, #168 rebuilt as VVVF drive vehicle
Hong Kong Tramways, Hong Kong trailer cars passenger single deckcars – aluminium alloy, (#1 – aluminium panels, teak frame) 22 1964, 1965-1966 1982 (only #1 rebuilt as double decker car #163) non-powered trailers
Hong Kong Tramways, Hong Kong - work car single decker car 1 – #200 (first generation) 1956 1984
Hong Kong Tramways, Hong Kong - work car double decker cars 3 – #200, #300 and #400
Hong Kong Tramways, Hong Kong - private hire cars antique double deck cars – aluminium panels, teak frame 2 – #28 and 128 1985, 1987 Private hire only
Hong Kong Tramways, Hong Kong - first batch of VVVF drive vehicle double decker car – aluminium alloy, (#172 – aluminium panels, teak frame) 52 – #1, #11, #13, #19, #23, #32, #35, #36, #40–42, #49, #52, #56, #58, #60, #64, #66, #69, #70, #74, #77, #79, #88, #94, #95, #99-101, #108, #109, #116, #118, #122, #129, #132, #133, #137, #141, #143, #146, #148, #155, #157, #158, #162, #168, #171–175 2009-2016 exterior of body based on fourth generation cars, but with Millennium cars interior, fitted with LED destination display

Note: Generally there is no specific/official 'generation' categories on tramcars. As many of the trams in one generation were in fact just modifications of the previous, such as open-top cars fitted with canvas roofs and then wooden roofs. The term 'generation' should only apply to the new designs.

Service fleet

Depots

Current depots

Two tram depots, located at Whitty Street in Shek Tong Tsui and Sai Wan Ho, are now in operation.

Whitty Street Terminus and Depot

Whitty Street, also known as "West Depot", is the location of the main depot for current operations. It previously operated as a terminus. When the Sharp Street Depot was closed, the site was expanded by 1.28 hectares on the Western reclamation in Sai Ying Pun leased from the Government, henceforth became the main depot.[8]

There is a two-storey workshop, which was responsible for rebuilds in the 1980s. Car #168, the newest in the fleet was built here.

Sai Wan Ho Depot

Sai Wan Ho became the "East Depot" after the closure of the Sharp Street Depot. This depot occupies a site of 0.7 hectares leased from the Government on a 5-year renewable tenancy.[8] It lies beneath the Island Eastern Corridor near Shau Kei Wan Road and Hoi Foo Street[8] and stores 56 cars.

Defunct depots

North Point Depot

With the upsurge in the number of trams, the original depot at Russell Street in Causeway Bay (the site of the current Times Square complex) became overcrowded by 1932, prompting Hong Kong Tramways to secure the North Point Depot site at King's Road for tram parking purposes (storage for 30 cars).

In 1951, the North Point Depot was closed.

Sharp Street Depot

A single comprehensive depot at Russell Street was the only depot of the system in its early days. It was able to house the whole tram fleet (approximately 120 cars). Upon further extension, the depot was renamed Sharp Street Depot. Sharp Street Depot was closed in 1989 and its services were divided between two new depots, the Sai Wan Ho depot (East Depot) and the Whitty Street depot (West Depot).

The Executive Council approved Tramways' plan to relocate its depots to Sai Wan Ho and Sai Ying Pun in July 1986, on the argument that the HK$3.5 million in operating costs would be saved. The company promised that tram fares would be unchanged until the end of 1988.[8] The old Sharp Street tram depot was decommissioned in 1988, and the Times Square commercial complex was constructed on the site.

Arsenal Street Depot

Arsenal Street Depot was the earlier of the HKT's storage facilities and replaced by Whitty and Sharp Street Depots. The depot was located where cars turned off from Queensway onto Arsenal Street (area is roughly where Asian House now stands at 1 Hennessey Road).

Alignment and interchanges

Shau Kei Wan Terminus
Tram stop in Sheung Wan.

In many places, trams shares route along with other vehicles.

Most of the tram stop locations have remained unchanged since their establishment. However, some have had their names changed, e.g. "Shu Shun Kwun" (Chinese 書信館), referring to the then General Post Office building in the 1940s, is now called "Pedder Street" - the GPO building was demolished in the 1970s, and World-Wide House now stands on its site. In 1934, Hong Kong Tramways introduced loading islands (waiting areas) at some busy tram stops to ensure the safety of passengers. Today, there are 123 tram stops in total, most of them are sheltered refuge islands.

Just like buses, trams in Hong Kong can be very crowded. During the busier periods of the day, trams often line up since there are many tramcars running at the same time. In 2002, the trams recorded an average of 240,000 passenger trips daily.

Tram stops are densely located in an average interval of 250 metres (820 ft). Most of them are located in the middle of the road, connected by pedestrian crossings or footbridges. Major stops include Yee Wo Street stop at Causeway Bay, Pacific Place stop at Admiralty, and Prince's Building / The Landmark stop at Central.

Many termini of the Hong Kong Tramways are in the form of balloon loops, enabling the trams to reverse its travel direction efficiently.

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


Public reception and cultural significance

The trams have not only been a form of transportation for over a century, but also a major tourist attraction. The well-preserved tram lines still serve as a crucial means of transport in Hong Kong. Travelling in the lower deck of the tram allows travellers to have a close up view of the local street life, while occupying the front seats of the upper deck gives good views of the town as the tram rattles by.

Hong Kong's tram system is an icon of the city, like other Asian trams in Kolkata, Dalian and Sapporo.

As they run through the urban area of Hong Kong Island, the tram tracks have become an important icon of urban Hong Kong. Since the tracks were originally built along the waterfront before further land reclamation pushed the coastline northwards, the tracks can be used to identify directions and locations throughout urban Hong Kong Island.

Red light meals

In the old days, the duration of meal breaks allocated to tram drivers were far from adequate. Most drivers would therefore take advantage of the time their trams are waiting at a red light to gulp down a portion of their meal before the signal turns to green, continuing this practice whenever the tram comes to a red light until the meal is finished. This kind of hurried, impromptu meal is commonly referred as "red light meals" (Chinese: 紅燈飯).

Projects

Modern Tramway at Kai Tak Development

Hong Kong Tramways Limited announced its interest in constructing a 12-km 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 system) proposed by the Hong Kong Government. Possible extensions to neighbouring places such as To Kwa Wan, Kowloon City and Kwun Tong were suggested. The company appointed a consultancy firm to investigate on the feasibility of building such a modern tram system in 2010, and submitted a proposal to the Development Bureau on April 29, 2013.[9]

The company pointed out that the cost of constructing the proposed tram system is HK$2.8 billion. which is comparatively low as compared to the cost of $12 billion needed for a monorail system. Bruno Charrade, Managing Director of HKT, said the design of tramcars can be in connection with their Hong Kong Island counterparts or in a totally new shape, depending on the Government's discretion.

Abandoned Extensions

There have previously been two separate extensions planned that were subsequently modified to be developed as light rail and metro systems.

New Territories tram system

During the development of Tuen Mun New Town in the 1970s, the Government had reserved space for the construction of a rail transportation system to serve the area. In 1982, the Government invited the Hong Kong Tramways to construct and operate a tram system in the area. The company initially expressed interest in the construction of the railway and intended to operate with double-decker trams, but later withdrew. The government then invited KCRC to construct and operate a light rail way. The system opened to the public on 18 September 1988. Since 2007, it is now known as the Light Rail.

Chai Wan Line

In 1970, Chai Wan on eastern Hong Kong Island was developed into a residential and industrial area, which greatly increased the traffic demand to Central. Extending the tram line from Shau Kei Wan to Chai Wan was considered, but was ultimately rejected due to low cost-effectiveness, as hills exist between Chai Wan and Shau Kei Wan, and difficulties arise from tunneling through the hills to make level track. It was replaced by the Island Line service — linking Chai Wan and Admiralty — which was opened to the public on 31 May 1985.

Publication

See also

References

Articles

External links

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