Trams the remaining black spot in Hong Kong public transport
As a frequent visitor to Hong Kong for more than 20 years, I must agree with Rebecca Ong ('Queues could end tram fracas,' January 28), who brought to readers' attention the 'civilised and disciplined manners of Hong Kong people in general'.
I thank her for bringing into question the tram service on Hong Kong Island. Such problems do not generally exist on safe and modern systems, with their 'safety first' design, such as wider platforms and vehicle escape exits, although rudeness is creeping into the MTR as some people no longer wait for passengers to alight.
With such small and inefficient trams, and their narrow platforms, it is difficult to see how Hong Kong people's aspirations for a civilised tramway will be achieved until the fleet is replaced and disabled-friendly platforms are provided.
I find it amazing that, while Hong Kong can find money for massive civil projects such as its own 'bridge too far' (or, maybe, 'bridge too late') to Macau, it has not provided its citizens with a world-class tram system that could reduce noise and pollution in the city. I would have thought citizens' health and safety, as they get on and off these 'virus-friendly' trams, would have been a priority.
Lessons should have been learned from recent infectious outbreaks. There is a dire lack of space, hygiene and forced ventilation on the existing trams, but we all know this anyway. So why does this persist while, elsewhere in the city, door handles and lift buttons are cleaned hourly? As a traveller, I am pleased for historical reasons that the old trams still exist. But, the public deserves better, safer and cleaner transport with low-carbon emissions.
Meanwhile, tourists would gladly pay a higher price, like they do on the Peak Tram and on junk trips, to ensure their survival, but with appropriate and safe passenger limits.
I often wonder whether Manila will modernise its army surplus 'buses' before Hong Kong upgrades its trams. It's 2010 and the race continues!
Stephen Crampton, Manila and Tseung Kwan O
