New | Love them or not, Hong Kong trams must stay despite 'ridiculous' scrapping proposal: Post readers

A Town Planning Board proposal to remove Hong Kong’s 110-year-old trams from the streets of Central district is drawing criticism from an overwhelming majority of South China Morning Post readers. 

In more than 200 responses collected by the Post yesterday, vocal Hongkongers called the controversial plan everything from a mistake to a "ridiculous idea" that threatened to destroy the city’s heritage.  

"[The tram] is one of the best ways to explore the city at a leisurely pace,” wrote Pranab Sarkar. “They are still an important mode of transport, especially for the poor folks."

Sammi Chen wrote that though the tram has its downsides ("when it's so full, you can't get out at your stop - [that I] dislike"), they are an inexpensive and sometimes quick way to get around.

"Every time I come back to Hong Kong I have to have a tram ride," agreed Shona Parker. "It's the best way to get that true Hong Kong experience and it's one of the few things left untouched from the past."

Hong Kong Tramways has a fleet of 161 trams, of which 36 are of a new model introduced in 2010. More modern, seventh-generation trams were introduced in 2011. Unique to Hong Kong Island, the tram line stretches from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan and charges a flat fare of HK$2.30.