Hong Kong’s Peak Tram to close for up to three months from late April for renovations and installation of new larger carriages
- Suspension of services will be first of two during upgrade, expected to be completed in early 2021
- New rolling stock, which can carry almost twice as many passengers as at present, will slash queuing times
Services of Hong Kong’s iconic Peak Tram will be suspended for up to three months from April 23 as part of a HK$684 million (US$87.1 million) upgrade for the tourist favourite.
The Peak Tramways Company, which operates the 130-year-old funicular, said on Tuesday it would be one of two suspension periods, with the second expected to last for about five months in late 2020.
Renovation work for the Peak Tram system and stations began in January and was scheduled to be completed in early 2021.
Peak Tramways general manager May Tsang apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused.
“Temporary service disruptions and temporary platform arrangements are necessary while we take all measures to minimise the impact to all passengers, the community and the tourism industry,” Tsang said.
The project involves replacing the current carriages, which carry up to 120 passengers, with larger ones of a capacity of 210. This will necessitate replacing all haulage and control systems and laying new rails, as well as reinforcing track foundations and bridges.
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“We will also need to extend the current passing loop and relocate the lower terminus further uphill,” Tsang said.
The renovation is expected to increase passenger numbers from about 6 million a year at present.
Queuing times, often in inclement weather, will also be reduced from as long as two hours to about 20 minutes.
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During the suspension of services, visitors will be able to reach The Peak by taking alternative public transport such as New World First Bus routes X15 from Admiralty, No 15 from Central and No 15B from Wan Chai.
Green minibus route No 1 from Central or taxis are other options.
The last renovation work on the Peak Tram was carried out in 1989.
