Big Wheel keep on turning without Pax

There is still no word on when the Flyer will reopen for rides. The management is now exploring back-up systems to ensure that the wheel does not break down again.
NINE days after the Singapore Flyer came to a grinding halt, the world's largest observation wheel started turning again at 6pm yesterday - although without any passengers on board.

The 165m-high wheel kept spinning until midnight, after the Flyer's systems were completely repaired and restored, the wheel's management said.

It will turn for a few hours each day over the next few days for cleaning, maintenance and testing.

However, Flyer chairman Florian Bollen would not commit to when the wheel will reopen for rides.

The police, which issues the Flyer with the public entertainment licence to operate, had ordered the ride to be shut after an electrical fire caused it to stop for six hours on Dec 23, leaving 173 people stranded in the capsules of the wheel.

Eleven of them had to be lowered down to the ground by ropes before the wheel started turning again.

Mr Bollen said the management, with the help of a panel of eight overseas experts, had identified two back-up systems to ensure the wheel did not break down again and was evaluating the options.

'There should be an independent system that can work the wheel almost immediately,' said Mr Bollen, adding that this should be done so seamlessly that passengers on board would not even notice a difference.

Back-up systems must be put in place and checked before the management applies to the police to reinstate its licence.

'I will not ask for a renewal of the licence unless I am 100 per cent confident that it will never ever come to such a situation again,' said Mr Bollen.

He did not reveal details about the back-up systems being explored.

Before the breakdown on Dec 23, the Flyer already had a back-up system in place, Mr Bollen said. However, a fire in the wheel's control room wrecked the substitute system as well, halting the Flyer completely.

When the Flyer does reopen, each of its 28 capsules will store water and other essentials on board to tide people over in the event of another breakdown.

This was something which the management had been discussing before the Flyer broke down, but had not put in place in time. The London Eye in England stores equipment such as water, portable commodes and even blankets to keep stranded passengers warm.

The Flyer management is also reviewing its rescue operation procedures. The practice of winching stranded passengers down was widely criticised by members of the public, many of whom questioned if it was the best option, especially for the elderly, young children and the disabled.

The harrowing experience of being lowered by rope down from the capsules left several passengers in tears.

Mr Bollen promised that there would not be a repeat of the Dec 23 incident.

Besides reviewing the wheel's systems and rescue operations, the Flyer's management is also considering whether to extend a waiver of rental for retailers in the complex.

The tenants, most of whom saw business plummet after the breakdown, had their rental waived until Dec 31.

The management plans to hold another update on the Flyer's status later next week.