Jurong Bird Park Panorail
Jurong Bird Park Panorail | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Locale | Jurong Bird Park |
Transit type | Straddle-beam monorail |
Number of lines | 1 |
Number of stations | 3 |
Operation | |
Began operation | 11 April 1992 |
Ended operation | 1 April 2012 |
Technical | |
System length | 1.7 km (1.1 mi) |
The Jurong Bird Park Panorail was a 1.7-kilometre (1.1 mi) loop
The monorail system used four fully air-conditioned four-car trains which travelled around the park in approximately 11 minutes. It ceased operations in 2012 and was replaced by a trackless tram service.
History
A monorail system was first mooted in 1988 when the Jurong Bird Park still utilised diesel trams to ferry visitors around the park.[1][2] On 21 June 1990, a sign promoting a monorail development with two stations and four trains was sighted at the park. The proposed monorail would be Singapore's second monorail after the Sentosa Monorail which commenced operations in 1982.[3] In September 1990, the executive director of the park, S.Thiruchelvam, said that a monorail would run silently and not emit pollution as it would be powered by electricity. It was also intended to facilitate closer contact between visitors and the birds.[2]
The system was planned by Swiss engineering company
Part of the panorail's route entered an aviary, which was promoted as "the only one of its kind in the world".[7] Four trains, with a four-car setup, ran at 3-5 minute frequencies between stations. The trains were fully air-conditioned and ran in a 1.7 km (1.1 mi) loop around the park, with each loop taking approximately 11 minutes. A recorded commentary was played during the journey detailing places of interest.[6] Its tinted windows extended from the knees to the roof.[4] Stations were equipped with a single lift for handicapped visitors and train seats could be lifted for wheelchairs to back into.[8]
The panorail ceased operations in 2012.[9] The panorail was still listed on the official website as of 14 April 2012,[10] but was replaced by a trackless tram service listing by 3 May 2012.[11]
Stations
The panorail had three stations:[12]
- Main Station, near the entrance and amphitheatre
- Lory Station, near the Lory Loft
- Waterfall Station, near the Waterfall Aviary and Jurong Falls
References
- ^ Ho, May (9 April 1988). "A showcase for S-E Asian birds". The Straits Times. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Monorail rides at BirdPark". The Straits Times. 2 September 1990. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "Monorail for Bird Park". New Paper. 22 June 1990. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Bird's-eye view of Bird Park". The Straits Times. 17 September 1991. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ Simran Kaur (11 April 1992). "Bird watching". New Paper.
- ^ a b "11-minute ride is fabulous, says President". The Straits Times. 12 April 1992. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "Free admission to Bird Park tomorrow". The Straits Times. 25 December 1993. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "Disabled tourists take in local sights". The Straits Times. 4 July 1998.
- ^ Ng, Keng Gene (30 August 2022). "Jurong Bird Park to close after Jan 3 to prepare for move to Mandai". The Straits Times. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "Panorail". Jurong Bird Park. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "Tram". Jurong Bird Park. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "JBP Map". Jurong Bird Park. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
External links
- Media related to Jurong Bird Park Panorail at Wikimedia Commons