After the installation of a further new turbine and boiler the total generating capacity of the power station is now 67,500 k.w., the boiler plant capacity being 82,500 lbs. per hour.
Gas
Gas is supplied on both sides of the harbour by the Hong Kong and China Gas Co., Ltd., which was first established in the Colony in 1861. Work carried out on the plants in Hong Kong and Kowloon during the past few years has now brought both works completely up to pre-war standard.
Further progress has also been made in regard to enlarging and cleaning mains. The demand for gas is still increasing, the total output for 1951 being 12% above 1950, which was in turn 25.75% above the previous year.
Tramways
The electric tramway service is operated by Hong Kong Tramways Ltd. The track extends from Kennedy Town to Shaukiwan passing through the city of Victoria. There is in addition a branch line which passes round the Race Course in Happy Valley. The tramcars are of the double-deck, single staircase type intended for single-ended working, the termini having turning circles. The gauge is 3′6′′ and the operating voltage is 500 volts direct current.
A daily service of 117 cars is operated, an increase of 7 over the previous year, providing a car every two minutes or less in each direction. Through the city area in the centre of the system the minimum service provided is a car every forty seconds in each direction.
The total number of passengers carried during the year 1951 exceeded 134 million, the total mileage run being 5 million.
The fare structure is upon a flat-rate basis for any distance over any route-the maximum route length being 63 miles-of 20 cents (3d.) 1st class, and 10 cents (11⁄2d.) 3rd class. The company also issues monthly tickets, and concession fares are given to children, scholars and Service personnel.
The Peak Tramway was opened for traffic in May 1888 and was then known as the Hong Kong High Level Tramway. With the lower terminus situated at the lower portion of Garden Road and the Peak terminus at Victoria Gap, this means of transport has provided almost without interruption for over sixty years a reliable funicular service. Until motor roads were opened in 1924 it was the only means of transport to the Peak. The cars are operated by a modern electric haulage plant and incorporate safety features which make it possible for a car to come to a halt within eight feet on the steepest gradient of the track.
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