The Birth of Trams in Hong Kong

In 1882, the British government promulgated theTramway Ordinance to propose constructing a six-segment tram system. The well-known Peak Tram was one of the segments. As the British and wealthy foreign businessmen mainly resided in the Central District and the Peak, corporations were only interested in this segment of the tram system. When the Peak Tram began its operation in 1888, the tram system project at the northern shore of the Hong Kong Island still received no interest and had to be put on hold.

Central Harbourfront in the 1900s.

In the 1920s, Peak Tram was the only mode of transport connecting Admiralty and the Peak.

Cadogan Street, Kennedy Town at about 1905, where The Merton is now situated.

The status quo had remained till 1901. Due to the success of running the tramway in England, the government believed that the environment in Hong Kong was also suitable for developing a tram system. It thus proposed amendments to the Tramway Ordinance, in which British-funded Hongkong Tramway Electric Company Limited (established on 7th February 1902 in London, United Kingdom, with a capital of about £300)would be responsible for operating the tram service. Vehicles, tracks and equipment were all imported from England. Unfortunately, the company soon announced liquidation. By the end of the same year, the Electric Traction Company of Hongkong Limited took control of the Hongkong Tramway Electric Company Limited. In 1903, the company began paving tracks and building facilities. The then standard gauge was 1067mm, while the voltage of overhead line was 550V. As regards the routes, only monorail was laid from Kennedy Town to Causeway Bay at the initial stage, which later on extended to Shau Kei Wan.

What is worth mentioning is that at the initial stage, foreigners served at the management level of the company. It was only until later stage that Chinese served at the management level. Since 1902, Mr J. Gray Scott had acted as the General Manager. The "tradition" of foreigners serving as the General Manager changed in 1994, when Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming served as the first Chinese General Manager. Since then, the position of General Manager has usually been filled up by a Chinese.

Senior management and senior staff of Hongkong Tramway in 1909.

On 2nd July, 1904, the first tramcar underwent test run between Causeway Bay and Wan Chai. At 10 a.m. on 30th July, 1904, the same No.16 tramcar left the Causeway Bay Tram Depot and was driven by Mrs Jones, the wife of the Director of Public Works, to Arsenal Street in Admiralty, with her son on board ringing the bell continuously. Later, a cocktail party was held on board by the Hong Kong Tramways. The atmosphere was lively. Amid cheers, tram service officially commenced in Hong Kong.

News report on service commencement of trams. (Hong Kong Daily Press, 1 Aug 1904)