Hong Kong Tramways celebrates 120th anniversary
Posted on 1st August 2024 at 15:27
Hong Kong Tramways is celebrating its 120th anniversary, saying it aims to continue to contribute to the public transport system, attract more tourists and remain meaningful to locals. The trams transport around 150 000 passengers each day, representing over 10% of the Hong Kong Island passenger movements and making it one of the busiest tram networks in the world.
Managing Director of Hong Kong Tramways Paul Tirvaudey on 30 July said the company seeks to balance modernisation of the system with preserving its identity. 'Our point is not to insert a modern tram. it is to insert modern components into the tram to keep the appearance while making a more modern system,' he said.
The company said passenger numbers are gradually recovering post-Covid, but they are still down 10-15%.
At a celebration ceremony, Tirvaudey emphasised the firm's commitment to sustainability, saying it is building trams that are 30 percent more energy efficient, reusing old parts for new trams to create a circular economy, and conducting carbon footprint assessments to identify areas for improvement. 'We are green. We are among the best in the class, but we work to be even better in the future,' he said.
Hong Kong Tramways has been running its east–west 1067mm-gauge 15.9km tramline along the north shore of Hong Kong Island, with six overlapping routes, since 30 July 1904 and today operates a fleet of 163 double-deck trams. It is operated and maintained by RATP Dev.

The ceremony to mark 120 years. (RTHK)
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