Earlier this month, Hong Kong Tramways submitted a proposal to the Transport Department, applying for a raise in fare prices in order to ‘sustain the operational viability’ of its iconic tram services. The majority of lawmakers discussing the issue in a Legislative Council meeting on February 21 have voiced their support for this price hike, so it is likely that this fare increase will go through.
The tram operator has proposed raising adult fares by 10 percent, from $3 to $3.30. Concessionary fares for children would similarly be raised from $1.50 to $1.60, which is a 6.7 percent increase, while senior citizens’ fare would rise from $1.30 to $1.50, a 15.4 percent jump. The price for monthly passes will remain unchanged at $260.
Citing rising operational costs in the face of ridership that is still ‘lingering over 15 percent below pre-pandemic’ levels, Hong Kong Tramways reported a post-tax profit of approximately $11.2 million last year, which is an increase of nearly 1.5 times compared to the previous year, but operational expenditure has risen about 10 percent.
Looking ahead, the company plans to roll out various improvements over the next two years, such as tram refurbishments and developing an app for tracking real-time tram arrivals. Running along the northern coast of Hong Kong Island since 1904, the trams are Hong Kong’s oldest public transport system, with a 165-strong fleet of double-decker vehicles that are an iconic emblem of our city. The last time Hong Kong Tramways raised their fares was in 2022, when adult fares went from $2.60 to their current price of $3.
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