Is it true that the Singapore Flyer has ground to a halt, leaving many passengers stranded in mid-air following a fire and power failure? Hope nobody is hurt.
This was also reported in today's Singapore newspaper The Straits Times. I believe this is the fourth time the Singapore Flyer has been shut down. I think the authorities are very careful now and want to be sure it doesn't happen again. This is very prudent and wise. Less haste and more thorough investigation will mean safer rides in the future. Should it happen again and again the authorities should consider sacking the current operator and get a new operator. This was what Hong Kong did to their cable car-over-the-hills operator.
There goes public confidence in the Flyer! I wouldn't be caught in it if it grinds to a halt for the fifth time!
Fortunately most people have short memories and when the Flyer is running again with a better maintenance procedure, the crowd will return. It is good that the authorities ordered the shutting down of operations until they are fully satisfied with both the technical and non-technical details to prevent another such mishap. For some young visitors who were caught hanging in the air for several hours and then being rescued with ropes, etc, it must have been an exciting experience! Something to remember for a life time! Thankfully no one was hurt.
In Hong Kong we have the longest cable car system in the world, the Ngong Ping 360. It had so many incidents, including one that saw a cable car plunged 50m to the ground. So they sacked the builder and operator, SKyrail-ITM, and appointed a new operator. At one time they even offered free rides to entice frightened passengers back. With strong winds in the vicinity and its great span, I feel it prudent to stay away. In contrast the cable car system in Hong Kong's Ocean Park is so much safer.
