By CGTN's Li Jiejun
Hong Kongtramsare affectionately called "Ding Dings" and are widely considered to be an icon of the city. It’s not only a form of public transport, but alsoa form of living heritage.
Lam Chi Wing, a driver of the tram. /CGTN Photo
Lam Chi Wing has been working as atramdriver for nearly 30 years.He has seen dramatic changes unfold outside histram's window over the past decade. “Sau Kei Wan in the eastern island used to be a typhoon shelter. But now many skyscrapers have been built there. And Sai Wan in the western district has also changed a lot.Tramsused to run along the sea in this area, but now they weave between buildings, thanks to the city'sreclamation work,” said Lam.
HK tram / CGTN Photo
Hong Kong's iconictramshave been helping people navigate the city's hilly slopes for 113 years. They are one of the few things that haven't changed much, as Hong Kong developed from a small Chinese town into a global metropolis.
Tramsare cheap, clunky and slow, but residents say they are well worth the ride. Swaying through the busy districts of Hong Kong Island is the perfect way to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the city.
"Ding Ding" in the Centralstreet. /VCG Photo
Buttramridership has been declining. The network carried 500,000 people a day back in the 1960s. Thatnumber has dwindled to only 185,000 today as modern metros, buses and private cars tempt passengers away. Despite somevoices toreducetramroutes, the double-deckers promise to continue like they have for more than a century.
Lam is 59 years old. He plans to retire next year. He says he is thankful to have been able to see the city develop from his driver's seat on thetram.
Hong Kong's century-old "Ding Dings" will keep running. Hong Kong will keep moving ahead.
