Meet the hands behind Hong Kong's world-record trams

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's beloved "Ding Dings" are more than just an affordable way to get around-they’re a moving piece of living history. The city holds a Guinness World Record for operating the world's largest active double-decker tram fleet, and remarkably, all 165 trams currently in service were built locally.

At the Whitty Street depot, around 90 mechanics keep the entire fleet in shape, fixing worn parts, assembling new components, and maintaining machinery that is over 120 years old. Building a single tramcar from scratch takes these workers about two and a half months–a testament to the precision and patience that go into every ride.

Electrical fitter Jeffery Chan, who joined the depot at 19, represents the new generation carrying the craft forward. He describes the work as "stacking Legos every day," turning raw materials into parts before fitting each one together. His biggest satisfaction comes from seeing a faulty tram roar back to life after a successful repair.

His mentor, Cheung Kwan-ming, has witnessed the fleet transformation since the 1990s. While modern trams now depend on more advanced electronic systems, he still values the older components. Five trams still use vintage controllers for tourism services – treasured links to the city's history and old charm.

Beyond transportation, the trams serve a cultural purpose. Historian Joseph Tse considers the fleet a "living archive," carrying the city's memories from its early days to its rise as a global metropolis. Even the advertisements covering the tram bodies reflect Hong Kong's changing economy – from daily essentials in the 60s to international luxury brands today.

As the Greater Bay Area boosts regional tourism, the "Ding Dings" remain a lasting highlight. In a city that moves fast, these hand-crafted icons remind us that craftsmanship and tradition still have a place.