Singapore Mt Faber to Sentosa Island Cable Car rides to re-open to public on July 21

By Dylan Loh

SINGAPORE: The cable cars between Mount Faber and Sentosa island will return July 21, after S$36 million overhaul.

Mount Faber Leisure Group, which manages the service, hopes to see a 20 per cent increase in ridership - compared with 1.7 million in 2009.

After a nine-month absence, the longtime attraction now sports a fresh new look.

They're now wheelchair-friendly, with an interactive touch-screen.

Eight people can fit into a cabin at once, two more than the previous ones.)

A round-trip between Mount Faber and Sentosa Island costs $26 - about $4 more than a ride on the old cabins.

And they're set to make Sentosa a hotter attraction.

Mike Barclay, CEO, Sentosa Development Corporation, says: "It's a great ride! So I think in itself it's going to attract a lot of people to come back, enjoy Sentosa again and re-acquaint themselves with the Cable Car.

"In terms of overall visitorship, we have always said that we projected, going from about six million a year to somewhere between 15 and 21, 22 million a year. And based on the last two or three months, we've seen something like a three-fold increase in visitorship. So we are in-line with our projections."

The fleet's crown jewel, a special cabin fit for royalty, adorned with crystals and leather chairs, that costs $888.

Mount Faber Leisure Group says half the amount from hiring the special cabin will go to charity.

Susan Teh, CEO, Mount Faber Leisure Group, says: "It's going to be a very luxurious ride, where you're able to actually have, you know, champagne in the cabin and you're able to have even the iPod docker to hear the own music that you would love."

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1070393/1/.html