Pyongyang upgrades its overcrowded public transport system as Kim Jong-un strives to show he’s raising standards of living

The new hi-tech train cars and trolleybuses were announced by the media with photos of Kim personally conducting the final inspection tours

While modest, the upgrades are a welcome change for the capital’s roughly 3 million residents, who have few options to get to work or school

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People queue up to board a tram in Pyongyang, North Korea. Photo: AP

Published: 5:57pm, 19 Feb 2019Updated: 6:07pm, 19 Feb 2019

Pyongyang is upgrading its overcrowded mass transit system with new hi-tech train carriages, trams and buses in a campaign meant to show that leader Kim Jong-un is raising the country’s standard of living.

The long-overdue improvements, while still modest, are a welcome change for the North Korean capital’s roughly 3 million residents, who have few options to get to work or school each day.

First came new, hi-tech train cars and trolleybuses – each announced by the media with photos of Kim personally conducting the final inspection tours.

Now, officials say three new electric trams are running daily routes across Pyongyang.

Passengers squeeze together in a crowded tram in downtown Pyongyang. Photo: AP

Transport officials say the capacity of the new trams is about 300, sitting and standing.

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