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South China Morning Post
04-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Spark Study Buddy (Challenger): ‘Ding ding' rides set to get dearer
Content provided by British Council [1] Hong Kong authorities have approved a 10 per cent increase in tram fares. Most adults will now pay HK$3.30 for a ride starting this month. The tram operator is also planning to launch a mobile app that will give real-time arrival information. [2] Starting from May 12, the new fares will be in place, matching the 10 per cent increase that Hong Kong Tramways (HKT) suggested in February. The government said the fare hike, which they described as 'acceptable,' is needed for the tram service to keep running smoothly. [3] 'The government will continue to encourage and assist HKT to explore different revenue sources, especially to tie in with the concept of 'tourism is everywhere' to capitalise on new opportunities arising from the latest developments in the tourism landscape, while preserving its historical value,' a spokesman said. [4] The government announced that the operator plans to launch a new mobile app this quarter to give information about services, like real-time tram arrival times. Fares for adults and children aged 12 and older will increase by 10 per cent to HK$3.30 from HK$3. Children under 12 will pay HK$1.60, which is a 6.7 per cent rise from the current fare of HK$1.50. [5] The fare for passengers aged 65 and older will go up by 15 per cent, from HK$1.30 to HK$1.50. However, the price of a monthly ticket will stay the same at HK$260 because the government wants to help daily tram users. [6] The trams, affectionately known as 'ding dings' for the sound of their bells, run along Hong Kong Island and are one of the earliest forms of public transport in the city, stretching back 120 years. The government said the operator had been facing competition from other modes of public transport since its last fare adjustment in July 2022. [7] 'Patronage has not recovered to the pre-pandemic level, while the potential to further increase non-fare box revenue, currently accounting for about 50 per cent of HKT's total revenue, is rather limited,' it said. 'At the same time, the operating costs and staff costs of HKT have been rising continuously.' Renewal of tracks and upgrading tram cars will be among the firm's investments. Source: South China Morning Post, April 8 Questions 1. According to paragraph 1, the new app will tell passengers … A. how many people are on the tram. B. when the tram will arrive. C. the name of the tram driver. D. all of the above 2. In paragraph 2, why did the government say the price increase was needed? 3. How much more will a monthly ticket cost after the price increment, according to paragraph 5? 4. Based on paragraph 6, what are Hong Kong trams also called and why? (2 marks) 5. Find a word in paragraph 7 that refers to the number of people who use the tram. 6. Decide whether the following statements are written in the active or passive voice. (3 marks) (i) The revised fares will take effect on May 12. (ii) The fare for older passengers will be increased by 15 per cent. (iii) Younger passengers will need to pay HK$1.60. Hong Kong trams are set to get a new app with real-time updates. Photo: Jelly Tse Answers 1. B 2. for the operator to maintain stable operations 3. It will cost the same. 4. They are called 'ding dings' because of the sound of their bells. 5. patronage 6. (i) active; (ii) passive; (iii) active
South China Morning Post
21-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong tram operator needs stronger ties with tourism sector: lawmakers
Hong Kong's tram operator should collaborate more with the tourism sector to ensure its long-term financial sustainability, lawmakers have said, despite many of them expressing their support for a proposed fare increase. Speaking with the Legislative Council's transport panel on Friday, Hong Kong Tramways managing director Paul Tirvaudey shut down a suggestion from lawmakers to open a tram museum. He also highlighted recent efforts to upgrade the company's tourist offerings, such as plans to provide audio guides in Arabic. The company earlier this month submitted a proposal to authorities that sought a 10 per cent increase in adult tram fares from HK$3 (38 US cents) to HK$3.30. They also sought to increase concessionary fares for children aged three to 11 from HK$1.50 to HK$1.60, a rise of 6.7 per cent, in addition to raising the cost for residents above 65 by 15.4 per cent, going from HK$1.30 to HK$1.50. The French-owned company said the proposed increases were to ensure the long-term operation and development of the city's famed trams, which run between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan on Hong Kong Island, including a branching route to Happy Valley. Gary Zhang Xinyu, who represents New Territories North, was among lawmakers who supported the proposed increase, describing it as 'mild' and 'justified'.
South China Morning Post
13-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong trams will further lose competitiveness if fares increase: lawmaker
Hong Kong trams might further lose their competitiveness with a proposed fare hike and the operator should open up new revenue streams by stepping up promotion on mainland Chinese social media platforms such as RedNote to draw more tourists, a lawmaker has said. The Hong Kong Tramway Workers Union on Thursday also said the trams had lost a significant number of passengers under the government's HK$2 (US 26 cents) fare scheme for elderly residents and that the proposed increment was needed to keep its operations afloat. Under a proposal submitted to transport authorities by Hong Kong Tramways earlier this week, adult fares would be increased from the current HK$3. Concessionary fares for children aged between three and 11 will rise from HK$1.50 to HK$1.60, an increase of 6.7 per cent, and for elderly residents above 65 from HK$1.30 to HK$1.50, up 15.4 per cent. Lawmaker Chan Hok-fung of Hong Kong Island West constituency, warned that the fare hike, if approved, could ultimately hurt the operator's bottom line as it would potentially drive away more passengers. He noted that many tourists visited the tram station in Kennedy Town, which proved its attractiveness, but the company had not effectively promoted itself on RedNote, a Chinese social media platform that has gained global popularity. 'I suggest that the trams could do more to attract tourists,' he said, such as by launching more souvenirs for sale.
South China Morning Post
11-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong tram passengers face fare increases of up to 15.4% under proposal
The operator of Hong Kong's trams has proposed raising adult fares by 10 per cent – or 30 HK cents – to HK$3.30, saying passenger volume has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Under a proposal submitted to transport authorities by Hong Kong Tramways on Tuesday, adult fares will be increased from the current HK$3. Concessionary fares for children aged between three years and 12 will rise from HK$1.50 to HK$1.60, an increase of 6.7 per cent, and for elderly residents above 65 years from HK$1.30 to HK$1.50, up 15.4 per cent. The price of monthly tickets will remain unchanged at HK$260. The French-owned company said the proposed increases were to ensure the long-term operation and development of the city's famed trams, which run on Hong Kong Island between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, with a branch to Happy Valley. 'Farebox revenue remains a critical income stream alongside commercial partnerships, despite ridership lingering over 15 per cent below pre-pandemic 2018 levels,' Hong Kong Tramways said.
