Opinion | After 28 years enjoying Hong Kong’s public transport, a return to UK travel – and driving again
- It was with trepidation I faced travelling in the UK again after nearly three decades of relying on Hong Kong’s cheap and efficient public transport network
- Owning a car again has been a blessing and a curse, and I got hit by a luxury car tax after impulse-buying a Range Rover Evoque. That will teach me!
One of the joys of living in Hong Kong is the cheap and efficient public transport network. Before moving to the city in the 1990s, I had endured the misery of British Rail and London Transport. So it was with some trepidation that I faced travelling in the UK again on my return.
Thankfully, I am no longer a commuter. My occasional train trips to London from Kent, which cost almost £30 (US$37.50) for the “fast” 40-minute, off-peak service, have been relatively painless, apart from the strikes.
Living in the countryside means you cannot depend on public transport anyway. There is a patchy bus service from my village. It will take you to your destination but might not bring you back. Owning a car is essential. This is both a blessing and a curse.
I saw no need to be a motorist in Hong Kong, which seems to involve mostly sitting in traffic jams. My only driving experience during the 28 years I lived in the city was, therefore, in cars hired on holiday.
Returning to British roads felt like being a learner driver again. I was rusty and had to brave the occasional rude hand signal or angry hoot. But you soon get up to speed.
Not too fast, though. There are cameras everywhere.
