Ngong Ping 360 says it's safe after report of 'rust' on cabins
Marks on cabins pose no risk, says operator of Ngong Ping 360, as it seeks to allay public fears
Rust-like stains on the Ngong Ping 360 gondola lift's cabins are just dirt and will not endanger passengers' safety, its operator said yesterday.
Ngong Ping 360 spoke out after the Oriental Daily published a report about "rust" on the cabins and raised public safety concerns.
But Weller Chan Kwok-wai, head of cable car operations, said the stains were caused by lubricant dropping from cables onto the cabins and the system's suspension frames.
Lubricant is applied twice a year to ensure the wheels that keep the cars moving run smoothly.
"As wheels run on [the cable] some of the lubricant wears off, especially in the rainy season," Chan said. "The lubricant, mixed with dirt from the air, looks rusty in colour."
The stains are removed with detergent about once a month.
"There are solar power panels and other components on the top of the cabin," Chan said. "Technicians, not normal cleaners, are responsible for their cleaning," he said.