Once done with a literally “empty” adventure on The Peak, it’s time to head back down before the Peak Tram ends early due to the early MTR closure timing. With a return Peak Tram ticket costing HK$52 versus a one-way at HK$37, I had already purchased my return ticket from Garden Road, so I could head straight to the gate to access the Peak Tram.
The former entrance to the departure platform at The Peak terminus, accessing from outside the Peak Tower, is now closed.
The entrance has moved to inside the Peak Tower. This seems to be a permanent change rather than an interim solution like many areas in Hong Kong now.
The new entrance to the Peak Tram platform in the Peak Tower.
Heading to the Peak Tram ticket gates to scan in. There are two perpendicular ticket gates, both of which can be used.
Heading to the empty ticket gate which no one wants to use.
Scanning my ticket on the new ticket gate.
Heading down, there’s more crowd waiting for the Peak Tram, though still not as crowded as in the past whereby you have to wait for at least 1 tram worth of passengers before entering the platform.
The arriving Peak Tram to The Peak.
The Peak Tram allowing the (lack of) passengers to alight first on the right.
Because the platform is now rather spacious due to the lack of passengers, passengers are able to move about the platform to take pictures of the Peak Tram.
Heading to the front coach to board the Peak Tram.
The new half-height platform screen doors at The Peak terminus.
Boarding the Peak Tram at the front-most door.
The downhill ride at night was almost fully seated, though I wasn’t really interested in sitting now that it’s almost full. I was, perhaps, the only standee on this trip.
(Seats are all in reverse downhill because if they were facing forward downhill, all passengers would have been thrown to the ground by gravity the moment the Peak Tram moves.)
I wondered if someone pressed this button by mistake for the request stop at Macdonnell Road.
The lit-up box for the stop at Macdonnell Road.
Once the Peak Tram is ready to depart, the Octopus reader gets switched on.
Starting the downhill ride.
Passing through Barker Road station.
The view of downtown Hong Kong from the descending Peak Tram.
Entering the Abt switch to the loop.
The line splits into a 3-rail alignment, probably to prevent the cables from coming too close to each other on the curve.
Further splitting here for the actual loop.
Crossing with the opposing Peak Tram.
Switching back to the single track at May Road station.
Passing through May Road station.
Passing under Magazine Gap Road.
Approaching MacDonnell Road station.
Stopping at MacDonnell Road station. Seems like the request stop was real after all.
A Mid-Levels resident alighting at MacDonnell Road station.
The station sign of MacDonnell Road station.
Approaching the disused maintenance shed with a preserved 4th Generation Peak Tram on the now-cut-out siding.
Making a brief stop outside the maintenance shed in front of the preserved 4th Generation Peak Tram. Not sure if this is something to do with the change in position of the Garden Road temporary terminus platform, or someone in the opposing Peak Tram was stopping at Barker Road.
Passing over Kennedy Road on a truss bridge.
Passing through Kennedy Road station.
The Garden Road temporary terminus can be seen from Kennedy Road already, which is located before the former final curve into the original Garden Road terminus.
Entering Garden Road temporary terminus.
The new cut-short end of the line at Garden Road temporary terminus.
Alighting from the Peak Tram at Garden Road temporary terminus.
The clean front view of the Peak Tram at Garden Road temporary terminus, which was once an impossible shot.
The empty Peak Tram after everyone had alighted at Garden Road temporary terminus.
Heading down the ramp to exit from the platform.
Heading down Tramway Path to exit from Garden Road temporary terminus.
Continuing down the path beside Hong Kong Park Sports Centre.
Heading down Garden Road back to the main Des Voeux Road Central.
Here, I headed on to Bank Street tram stop to continue on my way.
Overall, a rather pleasant ride on the Peak Tram with no time wasted in queues and being able to roam around The Peak freely and conveniently without jostling with other tourists, though it’s quite sad to see such a popular tourist attraction in this state. I’m not sure if I should hope for the crowds to improve, or to keep the minimal crowds as such so I can enjoy it better in future.