In 1881, Hon. F. Bulkeley Johnson, with the support of
Ng Choy, proposed a Bill for the construction of a tramway system in
Hong Kong. The following year, the
Hong Kong Government published the preliminary Tramways Ordinance, which included six tramlines. However, the focus was primarily on the
Peak Tram, which was of greater interest to the government and business interests residing on
Victoria Peak, leading to the neglect of the tram proposal along
Hong Kong Island. Between 1883 and 1888, the population of
Hong Kong increased from 173,475 to 215,800. The government hoped that the tram system would provide quick access to all areas of
Victoria and reduce dependence on chair coolies. The Bill underwent several readings and was finally passed on 23 May 1902, as the Tramways Ordinance (No. 10 of 1902). In 1902, the Hong Kong Tramway Electric Company Limited was founded in
London and came under the control of the Electric Traction Company of Hong Kong Limited by the end of the year. Track construction began in stages from
Happy Valley,
Causeway Bay to
Shau Kei Wan in September 1903, and was connected westbound to
Arsenal Street by August 1904. Regular tram service commenced on 30 July 1904, with twenty-six single-deck cars delivered in sections and assembled in the depot. These cars included ten combination cars with enclosed saloons and open ends and platforms, and sixteen crossbench cars. Fares for first and third class were ten cents and five cents respectively, with preferential fares for workers on workmen's cars from 1904 to 1909. In 1910, the company name was changed to "Hong Kong Tramway Company Limited." Due to increasing ridership, ten double-deckers were introduced in 1912, featuring an open-top design with destination boxes and reversible seats on the upper deck. By 1913, open-top cars were fitted with canvas roofs for wet weather protection, and the first dividend was paid by HKT for the year 1912. The
Happy Valley track was extended by 600 yards. In 1927, sided indicators were fitted on tramcars, and in 1928, HKT commenced operation on island and Kowloon buses. The
Shau Kei Wan loop was put into service in 1929. The
North Point Depot was under construction in 1932 and completed in 1938. Refuge islands were introduced at some busy tram stops in 1934 to increase passenger safety. Tram fares were reduced in 1936 to compete with buses, and during Coronation week in 1937, a million ridership was carried. Air brakes were fitted on tramcars in 1939. In 1950, HKT rebuilt the entire fleet in collaboration with
Taikoo Dockyard. The Russell Street Depot was rebuilt and renamed Sharp Street Depot in 1951. The Causeway Bay loop was closed in 1953, and the new
North Point terminus was put into use. The first official route map was printed for passengers in 1954, and the North Point Depot was closed in 1955. New resilient wheels from Sweden were introduced in 1956 to improve riding quality. By 1959, all cars had half-drop windows for the driver. Tram service was suspended under
typhoon Ellen in 1961. The first single-deck prototype trailer was introduced in 1964, and the first tram overturned accident occurred. In 1965, ten additional trailers were ordered from the
UK, designed to serve first-class passengers only. Service was limited to
North Point due to the gradient at Taikoo Hill. A trolley reverser was installed at
Causeway Road for emergency purposes in 1966. The last trailer built by HKT was withdrawn in 1978. In 1969, a few experimental liveries were tested on tramcars. Female conductors were introduced in 1971. Class distinction was abolished in 1972, and passengers boarded at the rear and paid as they left (PAYL). HKT was acquired by The Wharf (Holdings) in 1974. The first full-body adverts were applied on trams in 1975. Fareboxes were installed at each tram front exit, and rotating turnstiles were fitted at the rear entrance in 1976. Trams were operated in one-man-operation (OMO), and conductors were no longer needed and shifted to become motormen. In 1993, HKT built two maximum traction bogies for testing. Testing of pantographs on trams began in 1994. Double platforms were introduced at the
Happy Valley terminus in 1995. The final year of The Most Attractive Tram Ads Competition was in 1997. Coloured destination blinds were introduced in 1998. HKT launched new "Millennium" trams designed and manufactured by its own engineering team on 24 October 2000. The Octopus electronic smart card payment system was introduced on trams in 2001. HKT celebrated 100 years of service in 2004. Route maps were reinstalled at each tram stop, and new tram driving panels were introduced on 7 November 2007. Air conditioning was installed on tour tram 128 in 2008. Following the opening of the
West Island line of the
MTR, daily tramway ridership dropped 10% to 180,000 in 2015. The first sightseeing car was launched in January, and the first air-conditioned car in June 2016. In 2017, HKT rebranded with a new logo, new livery, and new map. The fourth party tram was launched in 2018. HKT celebrated 115 years of service with a series of events in 2019, including the introduction of the Bright Ring Tram. Day running lights were introduced on trams in 2020 for better night service, and Ding Ding Cat was employed as the tram ambassador. HKT achieved the
Guinness World Record for the "Largest
double-decker tram fleet in service" in 2021. A total of 10 fare free days were organized in 2022 with favorable responses, and new fares were applied on 11 July. In 2024, HKT celebrated 120 years of service. ==Practical information==