All aboard McDull and mom's tram tours

Adelyn Lau

To commemorate the 120th anniversary of Hong Kong Tramways, which transports 150,000 passengers every day, tram tours featuring local cartoon character McDull and his mother have been launched.

Hong Kong Tramways, which has been operating since 1904 and owning 165 trams, has been offering daily round-trip tours with McDull and Mrs Mak since Saturday. The tour tram designs are inspired by 1920s trams that were unique to Hong Kong.

The first tram departs at 10am from Sheung Wan Western Market and travels to the Causeway Bay terminus, with the last tram leaving Causeway Bay at 5.30pm to head back to Sheung Wan.Adults and children aged 4-11 can enjoy the hour-long ride, priced at HK$150 and HK$95, respectively.

This is part of a series of celebratory activities organized by Hong Kong Tramways, including pop-up stores at Central Market where people can play games, complete missions, and win exclusive souvenirs, as well as photo opportunities, until September 8.

To honor the tram's history, the company has introduced limited-edition HK Tramways x McDull collectibles, such as a 1/120 scale die-cast tram no 120 model and a globally limited set of 600 special edition Octopus cards.

The company has also organized eight themed tours every weekend from July to August, which are free for passengers who sign up using the Google form provided on the company's Instagram.

"Through all these years, with rapid changes in the city and the emergence of other transport modes, the Tramway remains one of the most well-liked, iconic, and affordable choices of public transport for commuters and tourists alike," said Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung during the Tramways' ceremony yesterday.

Paul Tirvaudey, the managing director of the company, said: "We want to leverage the tramways as a major tourism attraction."

The company plans to use new technologies to modernize the tram system and continue passing the tram heritage to future generations,he added. Tirvaudey also said that the company is already among the best in terms of sustainability, but they aim to be even better.

"Tramcars are designed to be green, and new trams are 30 percent more energy-efficient," he noted.The company has taken up other green measures, including gradual engine renewal and reusing parts from old trams, as well as reducing electricity consumption.

While passenger numbers are still down 10-15 percent compared to pre-Covid levels, they are gradually recovering. The company has no plans to introduce more air-conditioned trams, as they have received evenly split opinions from people - some want air conditioning due to the heat, while others prefer the open-window experience that makes the tram unique,Tirvaudey said.

Meanwhile, only two - a red antique tram and tram No. 18 - are air-conditioned.