Singapore Flyer will not resume operations till after
the new year
SINGAPORE : The Singapore Flyer observation wheel will not
resume commercial operations for at least another week.
Its management is currently investigating the exact cause of the
wheel's failure, which trapped 173 people for nearly seven hours on
Tuesday night.
The company said it could take some time to fix the
problem. But it would also take time for a round of safety checks
and getting the green light to re-start operations.
A day after the harrowing experience of visitors being winched down
from the Singapore Flyer, the tourists still came by the bus loads
to catch a ride on the wheel, unaware of the closure.
One tourist said: "I have been searching on the internet, and it
said the first thing I would like to do when I come to Singapore
(is to go on the Singapore Flyer). When I came here, I was so
frustrated. (I have come) all the way from United States."
Another tourist commented: "I already applied for leave and I
decided to come over today... I wasted my time rushing over
here."
Even as repairs are being carried out, the Singapore Flyer's
operator has assured the public that the wheel is safe. But for
those thinking of going up on it, do not expect it to happen
anytime soon, at least not until after the new year.
That means the closure will have an impact on the tenants here. The
management said it will be meeting the tenants to discuss the
current situation.
The operator also declined to reveal how much it will lose because
of this closure. But losses are estimated to be in the hundreds of
thousands of dollars.
Steven Yeo, general manager, Singapore Flyer, said: "We have spoken
to our corporate clients, they have confirmed their support for us.
They have requested to reschedule their bookings to a later
date."
But while most tenants are seeing empty stores for now, one
restaurant seems to be bucking the trend.
Vinod Jakhmola, senior unit manager, SSP Singapore, said: "Whatever
situation it is, it is for a short while. It will move on and we
have to move further than that. In case of business, this is a
lovely destination. People will still come back for the food
outlets and definitely for the rides also."
The Flyer's operator also revealed that its recent decision to
reverse the rotation of the wheel was not a factor in the latest
breakdown.
In fact, it was a component failure which resulted in a small fire,
and that caused a power outage, shutting down the entire
system.
Mr Yeo said even though the small fire was put out in minutes, it
had caused certain problems in the circuitry board, which as a
result, had to be taken out for repairs.
However, even when the repairs are completed and safety checks
done, the operator will still have to get the go-ahead from the
police for the all-clear. - CNA/ms
