Shrugging off a shutdown yesterday morning that left Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (
The temporary shutdown left Hau, Ma and several city officials and reporters hanging in the air for more than 10 minutes.
Hau brushed off the shutdown as a glitch caused by a faulty cabin door as he defended the safety of the system.
PHOTO: PATRICK LIN, AFP
"A cabin door was unable to close, and so the system shut down automatically. It was a technical problem and we will examine the issue. But it was not a safety concern," Hau said after alighting at the cable car system's Taipei Zoo Station.
An afternoon thundershower triggered several more shutdowns in the afternoon.
New Public Works Department Director Lee Shu-chuan (
PHOTO: CNA
The heat and humidity in the cabins drew complaints from the passengers, despite the city government's efforts to increase the number of holes in the cabins. Fans were also handed out to the crowds waiting at the stations.
"It's like sitting in an oven. I can't stop sweating," a passenger surnamed Chen said.
In response to the flood of complaints about the cabin temperatures, which are usually 3oC higher than the outside temperature, Hau promised to improve the ventilation system within six months.
The city government was also hit with a barrage of complaints for failing to publicize the official opening time of 2pm. Many people had arrived at the Taipei Zoo Station by 6am believing the system would be running in the morning.
Despite the glitches and complaints, Hau thanked city staffers and the French firm POMA for their hard work over the past year.
"The completion of the system was the result of continuous efforts by both the Ma and Hau municipal teams. It is our summer gift to Taipei residents," he said.
Ma also praised POMA for insisting on a 12-week test run period to ensure the system's safety.
Opening day was was delayed a month because of safety concerns and noise pollution complaints.
The system, which cost more than NT$1.3 billion (US$39.3 million), is the only cable car system in the country that traverses a mountainous region for its entire route.
The system will operate from 9am to 10pm Monday to Friday, and 8:30am to 10pm on weekends and holidays.
Mass rapid transit (MRT) EasyCards can be used to pay for a ride. Tickets cost NT$30, NT$40 and NT$50 depending on the length of the ride.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS