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| Hong Kong's Peak Tram reopens after 14 months | Hong Kong's Peak Tram reopens after 14 months |
| (2 months later) | |
| Hong Kong's Peak Tram, one of the city's most popular tourist attractions, has reopened with a new look after a year-long closure. | Hong Kong's Peak Tram, one of the city's most popular tourist attractions, has reopened with a new look after a year-long closure. |
| The funicular, the oldest in Asia, dates back to 1888 and previously drew over six million visitors annually before Covid-19 struck. | The funicular, the oldest in Asia, dates back to 1888 and previously drew over six million visitors annually before Covid-19 struck. |
| The service welcomed back passengers on Saturday - even as tight coronavirus rules remain in place in the city. | The service welcomed back passengers on Saturday - even as tight coronavirus rules remain in place in the city. |
| It has undergone a $799m HKD (£87m) facelift since closing in June 2021. | It has undergone a $799m HKD (£87m) facelift since closing in June 2021. |
| Tourist numbers in Hong Kong are a fraction of their pre-Covid levels - in the past year, 134,000 people visited the city compared to 65 million in 2018. | Tourist numbers in Hong Kong are a fraction of their pre-Covid levels - in the past year, 134,000 people visited the city compared to 65 million in 2018. |
| The tram's makeover includes a redesigned terminus in the city's central business district and more spacious tramcars. | The tram's makeover includes a redesigned terminus in the city's central business district and more spacious tramcars. |
| But curbs on overseas visitors due to Covid-19 remain in place, meaning Hong Kong is unlikely to see a return to previous tourism numbers any time soon. | But curbs on overseas visitors due to Covid-19 remain in place, meaning Hong Kong is unlikely to see a return to previous tourism numbers any time soon. |
| Earlier this month, hotel quarantine requirements for people arriving from abroad were reduced from seven days to three. | Earlier this month, hotel quarantine requirements for people arriving from abroad were reduced from seven days to three. |
| But they must still undergo another four days of "medical surveillance" either at home or at any hotel, and are restricted in where they can travel. | But they must still undergo another four days of "medical surveillance" either at home or at any hotel, and are restricted in where they can travel. |
| Cases in the city are on the rise, with more than 7,800 infections and seven deaths reported on Friday. | Cases in the city are on the rise, with more than 7,800 infections and seven deaths reported on Friday. |
| Hong Kong's Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau warned that daily cases could soon exceed 10,000 and announced a negative test requirement for people dining in groups of eight or more. | Hong Kong's Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau warned that daily cases could soon exceed 10,000 and announced a negative test requirement for people dining in groups of eight or more. |
| The pandemic also impacted the Peak Tram's redevelopment, with the project going over budget due to difficulties in transporting custom tramcars from Switzerland. | The pandemic also impacted the Peak Tram's redevelopment, with the project going over budget due to difficulties in transporting custom tramcars from Switzerland. |
| The new tramcars are a far cry from this one carrying visitors to Victoria Peak in 1960, when Hong Kong was a British colony | The new tramcars are a far cry from this one carrying visitors to Victoria Peak in 1960, when Hong Kong was a British colony |
| The price of a return adult ticket is now nearly 70% higher than before the tram's makeover and costs HK$88 (£9.50). | The price of a return adult ticket is now nearly 70% higher than before the tram's makeover and costs HK$88 (£9.50). |
| "I hope all visitors will feel it's worth the price," said May Tsang, general manager of tram operator the Peak Complex. | "I hope all visitors will feel it's worth the price," said May Tsang, general manager of tram operator the Peak Complex. |
| "We have to consider the increase in our operating costs and the long-term sustainability of our business." | "We have to consider the increase in our operating costs and the long-term sustainability of our business." |
| Around 100 people queued for several hours before the reopening on Saturday to see the panoramic views of the city from Victoria Peak. | Around 100 people queued for several hours before the reopening on Saturday to see the panoramic views of the city from Victoria Peak. |
| Chau, who brought his two sons along for a family outing, said he was generally satisfied with the revamp. | Chau, who brought his two sons along for a family outing, said he was generally satisfied with the revamp. |
| "It's a bit pricey, but so is everything nowadays," he told the AFP news agency. | "It's a bit pricey, but so is everything nowadays," he told the AFP news agency. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| Coronavirus |