One of Hong Kong’s oldest means of transportation is currently the cheapest. Plying the Hong Kong island route from Kennedy Town in the west to Shaukeiwan in the east, the Hongkong Tramways is cheaper than Star Ferry, its fellow pioneer and witness to the city’s transformation over several decades. Now, its relatively new owner, Veolia Transport, plans to raise the flat-rate HK$2 (0.25 US$) by 25 percent, the first in 12 years. The new HK$2.50 fare is aimed at helping the company transform its carriages into more efficient and more comfortable means of transportation.
As reported at South China Morning Post, Veolia Transport intends to upgrade some of its “rail and traction systems, more comfortable cabins and on-board broadcasting”. As if the constant drilling and fine-tuning by mostly South Asian workers on rail tracks isn’t enough, further action must be undertaken to keep trams running. Unlike buses that let passenger transfer to a reliever when breaking down, a problematic tram halts everyone behind it, causing major traffic congestion in the tracks. The inconvenience it poses outweighs the benefits of paying the cheap fare. If the fare hike means we will avoid such incidents, I think the 25 percent fare increase is still worth it.
Other commuters think that at such minimal rates, not a great deal of comfort is the reason they ride the trams. They take the tram because it brings them from point A to point B, regardless of whether they sit down, stand up or cling into its stairs. Regardless if it’s noisy, hot or lack the comfort offered by more expensive travel options.
In the Philippines, fare hikes are often associated with gas prices and a barometer, if not scapegoat, for increasing price of commodities. This may not necessarily be the case in Hong Kong, whose transport companies also have to think of disgruntled workers, maintaining safety or simply improving the travel experience. Speaking of travel experience, some passengers are willing to pay the extra 50 cents, if only an air conditioner is installed. But beware, now’s the summer season so it’s a natural response from passengers who have to endure sweltering heat and crowded coaches. During winter the very same set of passengers might renege on their commitment, unless Hongkong Tramways agree to install heaters even if Hong Kong only experience mild winters.
I am not sure what “on-board broadcasting” means as an additional feature. Does it mean motormen will be empowered to announce “next station, Admiralty” or “Paging Po Po Ah Ling at the upper deck, your grand kids are waiting downstairs”? Or does it mean the infamous RoadShow TV broadcasts will also be invading the already cramped decks in their effort to corner more captive audience.
In addition to air conditioning systems, less noisy tracks or more comfortable seats, improvements need to be made with or without the fare hike. For example, route maps inside the trams helps newcomers or tourists understand where to alight.
Eighteen percent of its 233,000 daily riders are the elderly and youngsters who are offered concession fares. If fares are increased such concessions may be adjusted too. A person familiar with the situation said Veolia wanted to implement fare hikes not only because it has large-scale improvement plans but also tram patronage has slipped over the last decade. If that’s the case, riding the tram in the past must be a struggle, considering coaches these days are still very crowded. If expenses exceed income and the business becomes unsustainable, these trams might end up as historical features in museums. We want to be part history, not just staring at it in textbooks and photos, don’t we?
