The shortage of steel precluded any work being carried out on the reconstruction of bridges but some preliminary work on the approaches and abutments of the bridges at Au Tau and Tai Wai was put in hand in the autumn.
Tramways.
The Hong Kong Tramway Company operates just over 19 miles of track-or 10 route miles. Its fleet of passenger cars is now restored to its prewar strength of 112, and the full prewar service involving the daily operation of 92 cars was restored during the latter part of the year. The number of passengers carried and the annual mileage covered have not yet reached their pre-war level, but evidence of the intensive and effec- tive efforts of the management to overcome all difficulties is provided by the following figures:-
Passengers Carried Car mileage
•
1941
1946
1947
80 millions 50 millions 66 millions 42 millions 21 millions 32 millions
In view of the fact that only 15 tramcars were found to be serviceable when the Japanese surrendered, that overhead equipment had been largely dismantled, that workshops, stores and maintenance depots had been looted and stripped of plant, tools and machinery, and that supplies of replacement materials were slow and uncertain, it must be considered that a great deal has been done in the last two years. Rehabilitation is, of course, not yet complete: for instance while the general condition of the track is satisfactory, the renewal of certain sections, already overdue, cannot be effected until the delivery of new rails takes place.
Although labour and operating costs rose during the year (especially labour costs which were increased by 50% in Sep- tember as a result of strike action) the Company's fares were maintained at the same level throughout the year. The fares are charged upon a flat rate for any distance over any route, the maximum distance being 62 miles. Two classes of accom- modation are provided: the 1st Class fare is 20 cents and the 3rd class 10 cents. These fares are exactly twice the prewar fares.
Peak Tramway.
The Peak Tramway, or as it was then known, the Hong Kong High Level Tramway, was first opened for traffic on 2nd May, 1888, and has provided almost without interruption since that time one of the fastest funicular services in the world. The steepest gradient (at May Road) is 1 in 2. The original winding gear was steam driven and the cars were attached to each end of a single rope, but this system was not very satisfactory and in 1926 electric winding gear consisting of two drums in tandem with separate ropes of 5,000 feet was installed. This installation is still in use today.
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