Trial ride on air-conditioned tram

Trams are part of our collective memory. I used to live in the Sai Ying Pun police quarters when I was small. The long corridors there faced the tramway, and I could always hear the "ding ding" sound of trams passing by.

The design of trams has remained unchanged for decades, and air conditioning is still absent. As tram windows stay open in the summer, the seats would all get wet when it rains. But of course, when the weather is nice, it is quite comfortable sitting by the open tram window, especially on the upper deck.

Which is better: air conditioning or the nostalgic design?  Starting next Monday, Hong Kong Tramways will give its first air-conditioned tram a trial run. Let's give it a try!

Today, I visited the Whitty Street Tram Depot with the Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Ingrid Yeung.  We had a trial ride on the air-conditioned tram, and were briefed on the company's business and development plan. I believe that trams can play a more important role in Hong Kong's public transport system.

June 3, 2016