We are in receipt of the below announcement concerning the Peak Tram, which is not only part of Hong Kong’s heritage, but also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hong Kong :

Peak Tramways Company, Limited is delighted to announce that the Chief Executive in Council has approved an additional ten-year operating right from 2026 to 2035 and the upgrade project of the Peak Tram, under the Peak Tramway Ordinance.

The Peak Tram has proudly served Hong Kong for 130 years and has become one of Hong Kong’s most popular tourism attractions which draws more than 6 million patronage a year, is undergoing a substantial upgrade project. The project cost of HK$684 million is being privately funded by The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH), which owns the attraction.  Transforming into a more exciting and comfortable experience for Peak Tram visitors will ensure this iconic recreational experience continues to grow hand-in-hand with Hong Kong for future generations.

After the upgrade, which is scheduled to be completed in 2021, the Peak Tram will result in covered, temperature-controlled queuing and waiting areas with entertainment features for up to 1,300 passengers.  The new tramcars will be able to carry 210 passengers instead of 120 at present and visitors’ waiting time will be significantly reduced.  The larger capacity meant new longer tramcars, hence the need to completely replace all the haulage and control systems, lay new track rails and strengthen the track foundations and bridges, as well as extend the Lower Terminus.

We have carefully designed an enhanced customer experience and have considered all aspects to minimise service disruption, whilst keeping sustainability factors a priority.

Construction will start later this year. For such a complete upgrade, some temporary suspension to the Peak Tram service will be required. The first suspension will be after Easter 2019 for 2 to 3 months*. The resumed service will then operate from a temporary platform to allow the Lower Terminus to be remodelled, until the second suspension in Summer 2020, for around 5 months, allowing the new tramcars, haulage and control systems to be installed.  During the service suspension periods, we will continue to work with our travel trade partners and local public transport operators to ensure that visitors can enjoy alternative transport to The Peak.

Timeline:

Late 2018	Site works commence (no service disruption)
late April – mid/late July    (around 2 to 3 months)*	The 1st Peak Tram service suspension
mid July – Summer 2020	Service resumes with operation from a temporary platform at the lower terminus
Summer 2020 for around 5 months	The 2nd Peak Tram service suspension
Early 2021	New Peak Tram system commences service

*Current forecasts based on information available at the time and subject to change should circumstances dictate.

The Peak Tower and Sky Terrace 428, Hong Kong’s leading icon, will remain open as normal throughout the entire project including the Peak Tram service suspension periods.

The Peak Tram will issue further releases to remind and notify our partners and the public a few weeks before each suspension. The notifications will also be uploaded to the company’s website respectively to inform the public and guests about the service suspension.  Please stay tuned for the updates.

Thank you for your continuous support of the Peak Tram.