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.
My car purchase was rushed, within a week of returning. I did not want to continue spending £100 a day on my hired Volkswagen.
Even for a Londoner, the energy of 1990s Hong Kong was next level
It is easy to gauge the market with so many online options, such as Autotrader and Cinch. I considered an electric vehicle but research suggested the infrastructure in Britain is not quite ready for them. Maybe next time.
In the end it was an impulse buy – a used Range Rover Evoque. This was an extravagance, costing more than £30,000. But I thought of all the money I had saved when not driving in Hong Kong.
I was also hit with a luxury car tax, taking the levy to an eye-watering £570. That will teach me!
I wanted a car that could cope with English country roads in the winter. The high ground clearance was invaluable when driving through a flood and the four-wheel drive proved its worth in the snow.
The vehicle also has many hi-tech features, most of which I don’t know how to use.
Driving can, of course, be fun. A trip down to the coast on a sunny day is a delight. But it also comes with hassle and expense.
Hong Kong’s transport system has recently seen price hikes, delays and accidents. But it is still better and cheaper than most. I am enjoying driving in my car, while retaining fond memories of the Mui Wo ferry.
