ENG-1955 — Page 198

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Tramways

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

An electric tramway service, on the Island only, is operated by the Hongkong Tramways Ltd. The track, calculated on a single track basis, is about 19 miles in length, and extends from Kennedy Town to Shaukiwan. All routes pass through the city of Victoria. There is also a branch line which encircles the racecourse 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 32 feet and the operating voltage 500 volts direct

current.

A daily service of 126 cars is operated, providing a car every two minutes in each direction on all routes. Through the city area, in the centre of the system, the minimum service frequency is a car every forty seconds in each direction. 146,000,000 passengers were carried during the year, the total mileage run being 6 million.

Fares are charged at a flat-rate for any distance over any route (the maximum route length is 62 miles) of 20 cents (3d.) Ist class, and 10 cents (11⁄2d.) 3rd class. The Company also issues monthly tickets, and concession fares are given to children, students and Service personnel.

The Peak Tramway, operated by the Peak Tramway Co. Ltd., was opened for traffic in May 1888, and was then known as the Hong Kong High Level Tramway. With a lower terminus situated at the lower portion of Garden Road and a 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 part of the track.

During 1950 and 1951, the Company replaced its former wooden cars with new cars of improved design and all-metal construction, lighter and stronger than the old ones, and capable of carrying a greater number of passengers.

For the sixth year in succession the service carried more than 1,500,000 passengers, and traffic was once again heavier than in the previous year.