Parallel lives
Thomas Tam, senior operator of the Peak Tram Age: 45.
Career path: I have been driving the Peak Tram for 12 years. Before that I was an office clerk, but it was so boring. I applied to become an operator of the Peak Tram because the only qualifications required were good health, Cantonese and English and a Hong Kong matriculation certificate. For the first year, I sold tickets. After this probation period, I did six month's training to become a driver.
I learned all about the trams, how they work, how to operate them, and how to repair minor faults. After taking my test - twice - I got my tram driver's licence and now I have been driving it for 10 years. In 1989, when the mechanical trams were replaced by computerised ones, I had to learn how to operate them all over again.
Thomas' day: The Peak Tram runs from 7 am until midnight every day and there are two shifts; from 6.30 am to 3.30 pm and from 3.30 pm to 12.30 am. If I am doing the day shift, I get up at 5.30 am and catch the MTR from Wan Chai, where I live. I cannot be late for work because I have the keys for the station and must open the doors for everybody. We do a pre-service test at 6.40 am. This is to check the track, the tram and all related equipment. There has never been an accident on the Peak Tram and we aim to keep it that way.
My lunch break is from 12.30 pm until 1.30 pm; I usually grab something at a fast food shop in Central. I do about 45 trips a day, but as the senior operator I also have some administrative work to do in the office. I like my job; there are no traffic jams, I enjoy the views and can see the development of Hong Kong, and I also meet a lot of tourists. I enjoy answering questions about Hong Kong and I even have some passenger pen-pals around the world. Being patient, polite and friendly are important parts of the Peak Tram image. Staff are treated well here and I am happy.
The hours do interfere with my family life; I don't get to see my son and wife as much as I would like, which is why my wife lives with my family. I get a day off every week, but it is not fixed.
Salary: About $20,000 a month.
Ambition: I am satisfied with my present life. My son wants to study medicine at the Hong Kong University and I hope to be able to make this possible for him.
Wong Wan-mui, Citybus driver Age: 39.
Career path: I work as a driver because I really enjoy it. I have been at Citybus for almost two years and before that I worked as a school bus driver and a tour coach driver. When my mum learned that I wanted to be a bus driver, she was really worried: she thought it would be dangerous because I am so small.
To get this job, I needed to have had a clean driver's licence for at least three years. At Citybus, I had to take a test to get my bus driver's licence and learn about company regulations and double-decker buses. At present, I am driving line 260 single-deck buses, but I used to drive the double-deckers. Of the 1,300 Citybus drivers, there are only 15 women. I will soon become the first of two lady inspectors at Citybus.
Wan-mui's day: Driving a bus is not difficult because they are all new and hi-tech and don't require extra strength. The only difference from my previous job driving coaches is that I have to remember the height of the double-decker - there are some places and shop signs I have to avoid.
At the moment, I do the run from Central to Stanley and most of my passengers are foreigners (they always say thank you). I'm on the night shift - 4 pm until 1 am - but I always do an hour's overtime. There is nothing really special about working the night shift, except there are fewer passengers and no traffic jams. In one shift, I usually drive four round-trips and a one-way, but the schedule is not that tight and I get time to rest between trips. I have a day off every five days.
My working hours are disruptive to my family life, but I have adapted because I like working for Citybus and there are plenty of fringe benefits. I make sure I sleep at least six hours every day. When I get up at around 11 am, I usually go to the market. After cooking lunch, I go to work. Dinner is a lunchbox from a fast-food shop in Central. There is nothing I dislike about this job; I like driving, I work happily with my male colleagues, who respect me and never look down on me. I have a good relationship with my passengers and the company has even received letters praising my attitude and skill as a driver. It is very satisfying doing what is seen as a man's job as well as any man can do it.
Salary: $190,000 a year, including bonus.
Ambition: To do my best as a Citybus inspector.
