Maokong Gondola in Taipei to Close for Annual Maintenance

Essential Upgrades Planned for Popular Taiwan Tourist Attraction

TAIPEI, Taiwan – The Maokong Gondola, a prominent attraction in Taipei, will temporarily close for annual maintenance from June 16 to June 30, the Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. has announced.

This two-week suspension will allow for thorough inspections and upgrades aimed at ensuring the continued safety and reliability of the system. Service is scheduled to resume on July 1.

The maintenance will encompass crucial components such as gearboxes, oil pipes, main motors, and cooling fans. Additionally, public restrooms will be serviced. The Taipei Zoo South Station will also undergo anti-rust treatment and repainting of its tracks and steel structures.

Cable maintenance will focus on the sections between Taipei Zoo Station and two angle stations. This work represents the first round of cable trimming on this segment since the cable system was replaced in 2021.

Gondola cables, constructed of flexible metal, naturally elongate over time due to operational stresses. To maintain safe tension and ensure operational safety, excess cable will be trimmed when elongation surpasses defined limits.

The Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. explained that the complexity of the maintenance, requiring specialized labor and extensive testing, makes it impractical to conduct during the gondola's regular weekly maintenance schedule. The scheduling of the work in May and June accounts for the typically lower ridership during the period, driven by frequent thunderstorms.

The Taipei City Department of Transportation has also announced that the Maokong shuttle bus services will be suspended during the maintenance period. Visitors are encouraged to use alternative public bus routes to access the Maokong area.

Since its opening in 2007, the Maokong Gondola has served an average of over 2 million passengers annually, with the exception of 2022 due to the COVID pandemic. Spanning 4 kilometers, the gondola provides a 20- to 30-minute scenic ride across four stations, connecting significant tourist destinations and offering panoramic views of Taipei and the surrounding hills.