Public Transportation in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has one of the best, most advanced public transit systems in the world. This region also has the highest rate of public transport use of the world, at 90% of people taking daily transit. There are many different options to choose from to get around town, if you find yourself moving to Hong Kong without an automobile.

One of the efficient features of the Hong Kong public transportation network is the Octopus card, which is an electronic money system. You can buy it on trains, buses, trams, ferries and minibuses. You can even use this card at parking meters, convenience stores, supermarkets, vending machines and supermarkets. Talk about convenience!

Hong Kong’s train network is very efficient. The public transportation trains operate by the MTR Corporation Limited. It functions not only in Hong Kong, but also to the Kowloon Peninsula, and the northern part of Hong Kong, which includes places like Hong Kong Disneyland and the airport.

The MTR has ten railway lines, which include 83 railway stations and 68 light rail stops. The lines include: the East Rail Line, Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Island Line, Tung Chung Line, West Rail Line, Ma On Shan Line, Disneyland Resort Line, Airport Express and the Tseung Kwan O Line. There is also a light rail, which is like a tram line, which goes to some places in the New Territories West. All trains are air conditioned, and some of the train stops are as well.

There are also the Hong Kong Tramways, which are all double deckers (likely inspired by the British colonial period). These trams run with other vehicles along the street. They only go on parts of Hong Kong Island. The Peak Tram carries people to upper levels of Hong Kong Island. Many people live up on Victoria Peak, so they commute using this system down into the central Hong Kong business district. Tourists use this system to get stunning views of Victoria Harbor and the skyscrapers.

Hong Kong also has buses, which are run by five different companies. The bus services include: Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited, Citybus Limited, Long Win Bus Limited, New World Bus Services Limited, and New Lantao Bus Company Limited. The biggest of these companies is the Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited, which has over 4,300 buses in operation. There are also private microbuses, or maxicabs, that run to random areas that public transit cannot reach. These carry up to 16 passengers.