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The Peak Tram gets a new look A Hong Kong icon is being reborn. By Charmaine Ng
Hong Kong’s history of Peak Trams
1888
Built in 1888, the Peak Tram has served Hong Kong for over 130 years. Having started out as an essential mode of transport, it has since transformed into one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, carrying more than 6 million passengers annually. Over the years, the tram has gone through several rebuilds and was most recently running its fifth generation of classic 1989 burgundy carriages. It has effectively retired on June 28, 2021 – after 32 years – to undergo an upgrade project to reveal a brand new look.
Bidding farewell to the fifth generation tram To celebrate the end of an era, a series of special offers were launched to bid farewell to the fifth generation tram. These included discount tickets for senior citizens, limited edition collectable tickets, a Peak Tramthemed board game and a craft beer gift set. On June 1, the Peak Tram also collaborated with eight local artists – Even
Lee, Jacmila, John Lamto, No Paper Studio, Pei Chung, Peter Ng, Stella So and Uncle@ Afterworkshop – to illustrate the retiring tramcars with artwork themed around Hong Kong’s ‘Culture’, ‘Nature’, ‘Iconic Landmarks’ and ‘Movies’.
The upgrade project The tram service is now suspended for a period of approximately six months, allowing the Peak Tramways Company to launch the new sixth-generation carriages. Costing $700 million, the project is nearly doubling the capacity of the trams from 120 to 210 passengers. At the same time, both terminals are being reworked to accommodate the new tramcars, tackling the problem of long queues at peak times. New control systems, track trails, track foundations and bridges are being built and renovated to offer visitors a more comfortable travel experience.
The first Hong Kong Peak Tram began its service 133 years ago on May 30, 1888. A remarkable leap at the time, it replaced the sedan chair as the main mode of transportation up and down Victoria Peak.
1959 Some senior Hongkongers may still remember the fourth generation Peak Tram. The green tramcar was introduced in 1959.
1926 The secondgeneration tramcar was launched in 1926. It had an electrically powered system, which replaced the coal-fired steam boilers of its predecessor.
1948 The third Peak Tram was put in service in 1948. It had all-metal tramcars and was more than just a transport link; it had become a landmark for locals and tourists.
1989 The green tramcar was retired in 1989 and replaced by the burgundy carriages we know today.
2021 The burgundy tramcar made its last trip just last month.
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