Maokong Gondola attracts large crowds on reopening

Having been suspended for 18 months, the Maokong Gondola restarted operation with a provision of 10,000 free rides per day.

With a long queue of domestic and foreign tourists, the limited openings were filled up around 3 p.m. yesterday.

“It was stable and comfortable,” commented a man from Hsinchu, who grabbed the first seat of the resumed gondola after having waited in line from 5 a.m., as quoted in United Evening News.

Some passengers, however, felt frightened as they experienced the severe shaking of the gondola around 3:40 p.m., followed by a temporary stop right after and another pause before reaching the final destination.

The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (TRTC), in charge of the service, emphasized the operation was flawless and the gondola was paused to allow disabled passengers to get aboard.

　　To save time, passengers can first take a number from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Taipei Zoo Station on the Maokong Gondola route and later go to ride a cable car at the appointed time on the number slip, said the TRTC.

With 20 neighboring stores involved, Taipei City Office of Commerce also launched Maokong Gondola pass tickets, including vouchers of local stores, two entries along the whole Gondola route a day, a daily ticket for 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition, etc., which people can book through the Internet from now until Mar.29.

The TRTC advised patients of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and acrophobia and anyone who feels unwell not to ride the gondola.

Smoking, eating, etc. are prohibited in each gondola, which is limited to eight passengers, said the TRTC.

As a result of the resumed Gondola, which helps bring large groups of visitors, nearby stores are expected to enjoy increasing business, with the estimated annual sales of NT$600 million, according to local reporters.

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