Hong Kong Tramways
Called The Hong Kong Tramways (Chinese香港 电车), also called " Ding Ding " is an existing since 1904 tram in the north of the island of Hong Kong. The only double-decker cars modeled after the tram Blackpool are a tourist attraction.
History
The construction of an electric tramway was proposed in 1881; However, no one at that time was willing to invest in such an immature system. In 1902 created the legal basis with a tram Act ( Tramway Bill). The Hong Kong Tramway Electric Company Limited, a UK company, was awarded a concession for the construction and operation of the tram. The company was soon taken up by the Electric Traction Company of Hong Kong Limited and came in 1910 to Hong Kong Tramways Company Limited. In 1922 a new company, the Hong Kong Tramways Limited, established to take over the tram service. From 1974 to 2010 belonged to the tram the Company Wharf Transport Investments Ltd, a subsidiary of Wharf Holding, then the Veolia Transport China Limited ( VTCL ).
Construction began in May 1903. After a trial period the tram route between the Arsenal Street in Causeway Bay and Shau Kei Wan was opened on 30 July 1904. Since 1912, operate double-deckers. A branch line leads since 1914 to Happy Valley. Shortly after the line was extended westward by Kennedy Town. Originally there were numerous single track sections, but these were gradually expanded to two tracks to August 1949.
Operation
The tram network is 1067 mm track width is 13 kilometers long and shares the roads with other modes of transportation. A power system 550 volts DC is used. Trams run only on the north side of Hong Kong Iceland. The 3 km long, looped branch route to Happy Valley Racecourse is one lane and is traversed clockwise. There are, starting from the stops Kennedy Town, Whitty Street, Western Market, Causeway Bay, North Point, Shau Kei Wan Happy Valley and six lines which overlap:
- Shau Kei Wan ↔ Western Market
- Shau Kei Wan Happy Valley ↔
- North Point ↔ Whitty Street
- Happy Valley Kennedy Town ↔
- Causeway Bay ↔ Kennedy Town
- Western Market ↔ Kennedy Town
As the buses are also the trams of Hong Kong often crowded. Each tram car is able to accommodate 115 people. During rush hour often accumulate several consecutive cars. 2002, an average 240,000 passengers were counted per day.
The stations are separated an average of 250 feet apart. Most are middle of the road, the access is through a zebra crossing or pedestrian overpasses.
The trams run from 5:10 bis 1:00 clock clock. During rush hour, the interval between two cars is about 90 seconds. Since the trams is relatively slow - the speed limit of 40 km / h - the risk of accidents is very low.
Rolling stock
The Hong Kong Tramways Limited owns a total of 163 double-deck tramcars. Two of them (No. 28 and No. 128) having an open upper deck; these are used for sightseeing tours and private events. In addition, there is a working car ( No. 200). Most of the cars in use today were built in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Since 2000, they have gradually modernized and brought up to date in the field of security.
Also in 2000, three new vehicles were put into operation (No. 168-170 ), therefore they are called Millennium trams. In the near future streetcar to get an air conditioner for this purpose was car # 171 built as a prototype.
At its opening, the tram had 26 one-story wagons which were imported from the UK. They were 8.84 meters (29 feet) long and 1.85 meters (6 feet) wide. However, they were quickly rebuilt in 1912 to double-decker open-top car. The introduction of fixed roofs on all cars was made in 1923, which greatly improved the comfort. In 1964 came a sidecar for use; these disappeared at the beginning of the 80s back from the streets.
Fares
The tram is not only one of the oldest means of transport of the city, but also the cheapest. The fares are 2.3 Hong Kong dollars for adults and 1.2 Hong Kong dollars for children and one Hong Kong dollar for seniors. Unlike other means of transportation the fare is always constant no matter how far you go or where you goes. You should pay when exiting. A Kartenkontolle is unnecessary. Passengers throw the money in a box next to the driver, there is no change given out. It can also be the Octopus card be used a rechargeable contactless smart card.