TRANSPORT
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Light Rail Transit
The KCRC also operates the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in the north-western New Territories in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai. The system began operation in 1988. With the commissioning of the Tin Shui Wai Phase III extension in March 1995, the system route length is now 32 kilometres with eight routes, 57 stops and a fleet of 119 cars, either operating singly or in pairs.
The LRT provides free transfer from one route to another within the same fare zone and with connecting feeder buses. A new fare structure was introduced in September 1997 following the launch of the smart card Octopus by major public transport companies. The Light Rail Octopus fare structure is distance-based, with adult fares ranging from $3.70 to $5.80.
Personal Octopus holders who travel frequently on the LRT enjoy frequent-user bonuses ranging from 10 to 28.2 per cent. From September 1997, single-ride ticket fares for adults ranged from $4 to $5.80. At the end of 1997, the LRT and its feeder and auxiliary buses carried an average of 364 000 passengers per day.
Trams
Electric trams have operated on Hong Kong Island since 1904. The Hongkong Tramways Limited has six overlapping services, using 13 kilometres of double track along the north shore of Hong Kong Island between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, and about three kilometres of single track around Happy Valley.
The company's 163 trams, including two open-balcony trams for tourists and private hire, make up the only fully double-decker tram fleet in the world. The trams carried an average of 279 200 boardings daily in 1997. Fares were $1.60 for adults and 80 cents for children and senior citizens aged 65 or above.
The company engaged consultancy studies to improve the electrical system of the tram cars and tram tracks, and its motorman training. Recommendations from the studies were being introduced in phases to improve the service.
Funicular Rail
Hong Kong's other 'tramway' is a cable-hauled funicular railway operated by the Peak Tramways Company Limited from Central to The Peak. The 1.4-kilometre line began operation in 1888 and was modernised in 1989. It climbs 373 metres on gradients as steep as one-in-two. The line serves an average of 11 500 passengers a day, mostly sightseers and some residents on The Peak. One-way fares for adults and children were $18 and $5 respectively.
Ferries
Ferries are essential for travelling to Hong Kong's outlying islands and provide an important link to the new towns in the north-western New Territories. In the inner harbour, they are a supplementary mode of transport to cross harbour buses and the Mass Transit Railway. Existing services are provided largely by two franchised operators -the Star Ferry Company Limited and the Hongkong & Yaumati Ferry Company Limited (HYF).