Posts Tagged: Ngong Ping 360

02
Mar

2012

Weekly Roundup: All Aboard The Hogwarts Express

Should I be embarrassed to admit that I didn't even know such a thing as a Howarts Express even existed? Image by flickr user eefeewahfah.

A quick look at some of the highlights from around the world of Urban Gondolas, Gondola Transit, and Cable Propelled Transit:

  • Here’s something we bet you never (and we mean never) would’ve expected to read: The website Screamscape is reporting that Cable Transit manufacturer Doppelmayr will build a Harry Potter-themed Hogwarts Express for Universal Studios Florida.
  • But back to this whole Hogwarts Express thing: I’ve never read the Harry Potter books and only saw one of the movies . . . but I still think this is kinda’ pretty awesome. We’ll come back to this next week.


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03
Feb

2012

WEEKLY ROUNDUP

Artist depiction of a funicular ride in Langley, Washington. Image from South Whidbey Record.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the highlights from around the world of Urban Gondolas, Gondola Transit, and Cable Propelled Transit.

  • Langley, Washington is in the midst of pursuing a cable-driven funicular ride that would connect the town’s Marina. The funicular is estimated to cost half a million.
  • After the recent Ngong Ping 360 system malfunction, reports indicate that the system will be shut down for 2 months for repairs and maintenance. This is definitely a huge setback for the tourism industry in Hong Kong as the cable car ride is one of the city’s best attractions.
  • Opinion piece from Brookings on what’s needed to solve social ills which plague cities such as Medellin, Caracas, Rio de Janeiro and etc.
  • On a lighter (rougher) note – sometimes the long waits for something as exciting as a gondola ride can bring out the worst in people. A man and woman was arrested, while queuing for the Skylink Gondola in New Zealand, after they got caught in a minor physical altercation.


Want more? Purchase Cable Car Confidential: The Essential Guide to Cable Cars, Urban Gondolas & Cable Propelled Transit and start learning about the world's fastest growing transportation technologies.

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30
Dec

2011

Weekly Roundup: Riding A Ski Lift Is Safer Than Skiing (Or Driving A Car)

A few highlights from around the world of Urban Gondolas, Gondola Transit, and Cable Propelled Transit:

  • Safety’s always a big issue when discussing the concept of using cable cars and gondolas as mass public transit because most people incorrectly assuming the technology to be terrifyingly dangerous. As such, it was more than refreshing to see a recent article in the Wall Street Journal explicitly discuss the safety of the technology. Among other observations, the article observes that “skiers are more likely to be injured or killed while driving to the slopes or skiing down the mountain than riding the lifts.” Thanks, Wall Street Journal!
  • Notwithstanding the above, the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car in Hong Kong left up to 400 passengers stranded in their vehicles for roughly 13 minutes. While by no means a cataclysmic event, this is the third such event in the past three weeks for a system that has a long history of malfunctions, human errors and accidents (here and here, for example). Until authorities and officials finally get to the bottom of what’s happening with the Ngong Ping 360, it might be best to skip that sight if you’re ever in Hong Kong.
  • Environmentalists are upset by Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation intention to build a gondola in Phu Kradung National Park. Environmentalists insist this project will increase usage of the Phu Kradung and therefore cause more damage to the park. Government officials insist, however, that while the gondola will increase usage, it will decrease overnight stays. As is always the case in such a situation, the logic presented by both sides appears to be a bit fuzzy and more than a little self-serving.


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25
Nov

2011

Weekly Roundup: The Park-2-Park Gondola in Vancouver?

The wittily named "Park-2-Park Gondola" is one of 100 entries into Vancouver's re:CONNECT competition.

A few highlights from around the world of Urban Gondolas, Gondola Transit, and Cable Propelled Transit:

  • An entry in Vancouver’s re:CONNECT competition proposes a “Park-2-Park” gondola connecting False Creek Flats and Stanley Park.
  • The New York Times Magazine profiles the Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve. In the article makes passing mention of an under-construction “aerial tram from which four cable cars will glide like tropical ski gondolas through the tree canopy.” Does anyone know anything about this installation? The mention of four cable cars is particularly bizarre. Any information would be appreciated.

Which gives us a chance to show this picture again - which we love. Image via Independent.ie.



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21
Aug

2010

Ngong Ping 360

The Ngong Ping 360. Image by Scott Burling.

A while back I asked readers to help find information about 9 virtually unknown cable systems around the world. Regarding the Ngong Ping 360 in Hong Kong, Scott Burling contributed this guest post (with pictures):

The Ngong Ping 360 connects Tung Chung MTR (Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway) station with Ngong Ping village, and the nearby Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha. The Ngong Ping Gondola completes its 5.7km journey in 25 minutes, a substantial time saving over the hour long road trip that would otherwise be required.

Read more



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