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Singapore Cable Car. Author Maksym Kozlenko

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Singapore Cable Car

The Singapore cable car is a gondola lift. It provides aerial links from Mount Faber to the resort island of Sentosa across the Keppel Harbour. This was the second aerial ropeway system in the world to span a harbour.

The Idea of a cable car to Sentosa from Mount Faber came from the Singapore government. The government’s idea was conceived in 1968. This was a master plan for tourism projects in the country.

The construction of the cable car was initiated in 1972. Construction on the S$5.8 million systems commenced. It was officially opened on 15 February 1975 by the deputy prime minister Dr Gor KenSweeee.

The cable had 43 cabins at the opening. The cabins required cabin attendants to manually open and close the doors.

However, the number of cabins increased to 51 in 1976. In 1994 the system’s cabins were replaced. The cost was over S$11 million.
Singapore cable car was the second aerial ropeway system in the world to span a harbour. This s after the Port Vell Aerial Tramway in Barcelona.

Let’s learn more interesting facts about the Singapore Cable car.

1. Singapore Cable Car was the Government’s Idea

In 1968, The Singapore government initiated the idea of a cable car to Sentosa from Mount Faber. It was a plan for tourism projects in the country.
The project of the cable car was S$5.8 million. The construction of the system commenced in 1972.

2. Singapore Cable Car was Officially Opened on 15th February 1974 by then Deputy Prime Minister

The construction of the Singapore cable car took 2 years. It was officially opened on 15 February 1974. By the then Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Goh Keng Swee.

The tourist attractions have attracted more than 25 million visitors. In 1988, the system celebrated its 10 millionth rider. In 1995, the system welcomed its 20 millionth rider. It reached its 25 millionth visitor in 1997.

Apart from acting as a tourist attraction. The Singapore cable acts as a mode of transportation for the local commute.

3. Singapore was the Second System in the World to Span a Harbour

Singapore Cable Car and HarbourFront, Singapore. Author Anand.

The Singapore car is the second aerial ropeway in the world to span a harbour. It connects Mainland Singapore to Sentosa island across Keppel Harbour.

This was after the Port Vell Aerial Tramway in Barcelona. Which was opened already in 1941. However, the Singapore cable car is not the first aerial ropeway system to span the sea.

4. Singapore Cable Cabins Doors were Manually Opened and Closed

A view of HarbourFront, Singapore, and a cable car from Singapore Cable Car. Author SGTOSA.

At its opening, the system had a total of 43 Cabins. They required a cabin attendant to manually open and close the doors.

However, the system’s cabins were replaced in 1994. The cost was over S$11 million. This doubled the system’s capacity to occupy 2000 passengers per hour in either direction. This is from 700 passengers.

The cabins were modified with flip-up seats and a new music system. Each cabin can carry a maximum of 8 adult passengers.

The upgrade of the system took 25 days to complete. During the reconstruction, the system suspended operations.

5. Singapore Cable Car Consists of a Total Number of Three Stations

The Jewel Box cable cars linking Mount Faber to ,Singapore. Author
RM Bulseco from Davao City, Philippines.

The ropeway has a total number of three stations. These are the Mount Faber Station at the peak of Mount Faber. The Harbourfront station( former Jardine steps station) at Harbourfront. The third is Sentosa stationary Imbiah, Sentosa.

There are two supporting towers situated in between each pair of stations. It takes about 15 minutes for a continuous ride from Mount Faber to Sentosa.

Once your cable car sets off from the Mount Faber Station. it offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Central Business District of Singapore.

As it hovers over one of the best highways in the world. The thickly forested landscape around Mount Faber provides relief from the steel-clad architecture of the city.

A considerable length of the Sentosa Cable car runs across the photographically beautiful landscape of the island. Visitors can admire the iconic tracks of Skyline Luge from Imbiah to Merlion.

6. The Total Distance Covered by the Cable Car Adds up to 1650m

The distance between mount Faber Station and the first tower is about 300 metres. The distance from the first tower to the Harbourfront station is 400 metres (1,300 ft).

Moreover, the Harbourfront station is 400 metres ( 1,300 ft). From the Harbourfront station to the second tower is 500 metres. From the second tower to the Sentosa station is 450 metres.

7. Singapore Cable car was the First System to have Glass Bottomed Cabins

Cable car at Sentosa. Author Maksym Kozlenk.

In November 1999, the Singapore cable car system added glass-bottomed cabins. The cabins cost S$30,000 each.

In December 2006, these popular cabins were added. This gave the system a total of 81 cabins.
Moreover, Visitors dine at the private cable car cabin. A four-course Japanese meal is provided for two.

Starting with the appetizer, the Japanese meal will take you through fresh ingredients and meals. They are inspired by different areas such as Hokkaido and Okinawa.

8. Singapore Cable car has Attracted Million of Visitors and Riders

Singapore Cable has managed to welcome more than 25 million visitors and riders. In 1988, the system celebrated Its 10 millionth rider.

Additionally, in 1995, the system welcomed its 20 millionth rider. It reached its 25 millionth visitor in 1997.

9. The Singapore Cable Car has made Appearance at Media and Public Events

In the late 1970s, an episode of a popular American Tv show was filmed on the system. The show was the Hawaii Five-O.

In the late 1970s, mass weddings were conducted on cable cars. These were the world’s first mass weddings.

In 1989, it hosted contestants from the Miss World Pageant. Moreover, it hosted the Sportsmen and officials who were for the Southeast Asian Games.

10. Seven People Were Killed Disaster on the Singapore Cable

A serious incident occurred on the Singapore Cable car system. This was at about 6 p.m on 29 January 1893.

A Derrick of the Eniwetok, a Panamanian-registered oil rig, passed under the aerial ropeway. It struck the cable that had stretched over the waterway. This was between the Jardine steps station and the Sentosa station.

As a result, two cabins plummeted 55 metres into the sea. It killed seven people and left people trapped in four other cabins.

This was the first incident involving death and injury since the opening of the cable. This caused the entire system to be shut down for seven months.