The $1 million refit to trams which will see passengers enter from the front, leave from the rear and all turnstiles removed received a mixed reception from drivers and passengers yesterday.
As part of the Hongkong Tramways refurbishment, vehicles will also be fitted with closed-circuit video systems and rear door alarms to ensure passengers have alighted before trams move on.
Chan Yan, 71, said the refit was an inconvenience rather than a help.
'Why did they change it?' he asked.
'I have been taking the tram for half a century and I never felt it needed any change.
'If they change it, I will need some time to adjust to the new measures.
'I think trams in the old days were the best - cheap and convenient. Now they're just expensive and troublesome.' A driver who worked on the trams for 31 years said the changes were unnecessary.