The Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car system will be reopened to the public at 10am on December 31, after getting the green light from the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department. Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Frederick Ma will take the first ride this Saturday.

Ngong Ping 360 Managing Director Morris Cheung today announced the attraction's resumption of commercial operation. The system has been closed since an empty cabin plunged to the ground in June.

"The cable-car system is verified to be safe after passing a series of tests over the last few months. The reliability test gives a result of 99.3%, which is higher than those of similar systems in the world.

"We have also completed all recommendations suggested by the expert panel and have provided intensive training to our staff," Mr Cheung said. He reassured reporters that the company was in no rush to re-open the system on New Year's Eve.

Trial runs
Before the commercial service begins again, a VIP ride will be held on Saturday. Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Frederick Ma will be the first guest on board.

After that, Ngong Ping 360 will arrange a series of guest rides from December 23 to 29. Thousands of guests -including representatives from the travel trade, Legislative Council and Executive Council members as well as Ngong Ping 360 and MTR Corporation staff members - will be invited each day.

There will be simulated incidents such as improper cabin-door closures, to test the staff's capability in dealing with emergencies.  

Image, website overhauled

Ngong Ping 360 will be re-opened with a brand-new image. Visitors will experience the blue and green of nature as the cable-car journey offers breathtaking views of Hong Kong's less well known countryside. Cabins have been newly decorated in the colours of nature, including blue, green, brown and sunset yellow.

Children under 12 and senior-citizen card holders will enjoy complimentary rides for two months, until February 29. Depending on the type of tickets purchased, adult visitors will receive cash coupons ranging from $10 to $40, which can be used at any shop in Ngong Ping Village as well as the souvenir shops.

Starting December 28, advance cable-car tickets will go on sale at Tung Chung and Ngong Ping Terminals while cable car vouchers will be available at six MTR stations.

Ngong Ping 360 has also revamped its website to provide information on ticketing and featured attractions. Visitors can log in to the website to check the queuing and weather conditions at Tung Chung through the live webcam images.

Mr Cheung added that local and Mainland travel agencies will add Ngong Ping 360 tours to their itineries, and the village shops are prepared for the reopening, also.