Brief History of Hong Kong's Public Transport

In terms of Hong Kong's public transport, most people will soon come up with the notion of metros. Indeed, metros are the most widely used public transport (about 40%) in Hong Kong now but they do not cover the whole story.

Hong Kong has the biggest population of public transport users (90%) in the world and a wide range of different means of public transportation resulting from Hong Kong's unique history and geography, including metros (light rails included), franchised buses, mini buses, taxis, trams, ferries and other particular kinds. Among these, metros and buses take up 70% Hong Kong public transport usage.

Nevertheless, the peak tram, which is supposed to mostly run for tourists from Central to the peak of Mount Taiping, was the earliest (1888- ) means of public transportation designed for the British governor and the dwellers of the Peak.

(http://www.discoverhongkong.com/ca/images/plan-your-trip/large/5.2.2.2.7-The-Peak-Tram_03.jpg)

Hong Kong is made up of islands, therefore ferries followed peak tram to appear in order to satisfy the need of freight transportation and residents' commute. The earliest line for carrying passengers would be that of The Star Ferry founded in 1898 and granted the charter of the waterway between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. Now there are 11 ferry operators in all, serving residents from Kowloon and outlying islands where many foreigners choose to live to enjoy fresher air, seascape and better living standard. (More details in https://goo.gl/EcwBBx)

Trams, mostly called "Ding-ding cars" by Hong Kong people, came out in 1904 and were still in use now. In fact, the idea of trams were purposed along with the peak tram but the former was lack of fund and the latter was funded since British consortiums were living at the Peak at that time. Hong Kong tramways run limitedly on Hong Kong Island between Shau Kei Wan and Kennedy Town, the most prosperous part in Hong Kong Island. Furthermore, they are nicknamed "ding-ding" since the sound of double bell ring to warn pedestrians of their approach is "ding-ding". (More details in https://goo.gl/B4O2Cb)

After trams, metros started to carry passengers from 1910. The "MTR" we call today actually is composed of "MTR"(undergrounds in Hong Kong), "KCR"(Kowloon-Canton Railway), Ngong Ping cable cars (suspended from Jan 2017 to June 2017) and light rails in the Northwest New Territories of Hong Kong.

Then comes the franchised buses, dated back as early as 1932 (KMB).

The youngest public transport would be light rails (although generally speaking they belong to MTR system), from 1988 to now. Due to urban expansion, "new towns" in the Northwest New Territories are designed to absorbed residents. In this case, supporting measures like public transport are considered. Before the completion of West Rail Line, light rails were the main means of transport in the Northwest New Territories. (More details in https://goo.gl/6cm9M4)