[Hong Kong Story] Victoria Peak Tramway: "collective memories" that accompany the growth of generations of Hong Kong people
[Explanation] The green hills are like daisies and green trees are shaded. From the hillside of Victoria Peak in the southwestern part of Hong Kong Island, a straight railway descends from the lush greenery. Occasionally, a wine-red cable car passes by. This picturesque natural landscape adds a touch of the unique beauty of a modern city, and it contrasts with the skyscrapers on the shores of the Victoria Harbour in the distance.
[Explanation] As one of the oldest means of transportation in Hong Kong, since its official opening in May 1888, the Peak Tram has been the main means of transportation connecting Hong Kong Central and the Peak of Victoria Peak.
[Concurrent] Senior Cable Car Captain Chen Zhide
(18) Eight years ago, the top of the mountain was mainly a summer sacred place for high-ranking officials and nobles. At that time, their way to the top of the mountain was mainly by lifting a sedan chair.
Lift the sedan chair up the mountain, lift the sedan chair down the mountain.
Later, someone suggested that it is better to build a railway, so that there is a cable car.
[Explanation] Chen Zhide, who joined the Peak Tram Company in 1996, is now a senior car captain, and treasures every piece of the history of the Peak Tram.
This cable car lane, which is about 1.4 kilometers long, has been in operation for 25 years.
From the foot of the mountain at an altitude of 28 meters to the top of the mountain at an altitude of 396 meters, the slope can reach 27 degrees at the most inclined point. After passing 4 stops on the way, it takes about 8 minutes to reach the summit terminal.
[Concurrent] Senior Cable Car Captain Chen Zhide
In fact, each of our stations has a name. The source of this name is actually based on history. Some characters are named after their names.
In terms of the slope, the most inclined place is at Meidao Station. This slope is 27 degrees, but many passengers feel it is 45 degrees. In fact, there is no such slope, only 25 degrees (around).
[Explanation] Take the cable car up the steep slope straight to the top of the mountain, the body can not help but tilt back, along the way, you can enjoy the Victoria Peak mountain view, passing half of the mountain, the high-rise buildings on both sides of the Victoria Harbour slowly emerge from the dense mountain forest, the scenery Quite spectacular.
[Explanation] After more than a century of development, the Peak Tram has undergone many improvements.
In 1926, the Peak Tram was officially changed from coal-fired to electric power.
In 1959, 72-seat all-metal cable cars were put into service.
In 1997, after the return of Hong Kong, the number of tourists from the Mainland increased sharply, and the Peak Tram was converted into the first open-top bus franchise route in Hong Kong.
For Chen Zhide, the most memorable moment in his career goes back to 13 years ago.
[Explanation] On May 30, 2008, the Hong Kong Peak Tram celebrated its 120th anniversary. The staff and the captain put on the same uniforms as 120 years ago, and used the traditional ticket punching machine to stamp the tickets for the passengers, and provide the same as in 1888 The fare of 0.3 Hong Kong dollars.
On that day, tens of thousands of Hong Kong citizens braved the rain to take the cable car, and there were 6,000 people in line at one time.
[Concurrent] Senior Cable Car Captain Chen Zhide
In fact, the weather was not good that day. It rained heavily all day, but it attracted a lot of people. The queues were very long, and there were almost no heads of people.
I remember that that day, I was on the night shift. In fact, when I was taking a ride, I heard calls on the radio. There were already a lot of people on the Peak Tram tonight. I urged tourists to consider other means of transportation if they went to the top of the mountain. The environment is quite impressive to me.
[Explanation] Not long ago, the Hong Kong Peak Tram Company announced that the fifth-generation cable car, which has served Hong Kong for 32 years, will be officially retired at the end of June 2021, and a new-generation cable car will be launched in half a year.
In Chen Zhide's view, the Peak Tram is not only an important means of transportation for Hong Kong people, it also carries the collective memories of the growth of generations.
[Concurrent] Senior Cable Car Captain Chen Zhide
The Peak Tram is a collective memory for Hong Kong people.
I often hear that some parents bring children to ride the cable car, and they will really tell them that before, when I fell in love with your mother, I would come to ride the cable car. At that time, you were not born.
There are even some elderly people who may bring their grandchildren to take the cable car. They will hear them say that when I came to take the cable car, the cable car was green. I didn't expect the red one to be retired now.
[Explanation] Chen Zhide said with a smile that he was fortunate to witness the progress of the cable car, and he also looked forward to the sixth-generation mountain top cable car to be launched in the future to bring more new surprises to passengers.
[Concurrent] Senior Cable Car Captain Chen Zhide
I see that the changes in the cable car are getting better and better, and Hong Kong is getting better and better.
I know that this new cable car has become bigger and has more space, and its doors have become wider. It is much more convenient for passengers to come up. You won’t have to wait so long when you come to take the cable car next time.
Reporter Fan Siyi and Liang Yuan from Hong Kong
Editor in charge: 【Luo Pan】