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SINGAPORE : The Singapore Flyer observation wheel will not resume commercial operations for at least another week.
Its management is currently investigating the exact cause of the wheel's failure, which trapped 173 people for nearly seven hours on Tuesday night.
The company said it could take some time to fix the problem. But it would also take time for a round of safety checks and getting the green light to re-start operations.
A day after the harrowing experience of visitors being winched down from the Singapore Flyer, the tourists still came by the bus loads to catch a ride on the wheel, unaware of the closure.
One tourist said: "I have been searching on the internet, and it said the first thing I would like to do when I come to Singapore (is to go on the Singapore Flyer). When I came here, I was so frustrated. (I have come) all the way from United States."
Another tourist commented: "I already applied for leave and I decided to come over today... I wasted my time rushing over here."
Even as repairs are being carried out, the Singapore Flyer's operator has assured the public that the wheel is safe. But for those thinking of going up on it, do not expect it to happen anytime soon, at least not until after the new year.
That means the closure will have an impact on the tenants here. The management said it will be meeting the tenants to discuss the current situation.
The operator also declined to reveal how much it will lose because of this closure. But losses are estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Steven Yeo, general manager, Singapore Flyer, said: "We have spoken to our corporate clients, they have confirmed their support for us. They have requested to reschedule their bookings to a later date."
But while most tenants are seeing empty stores for now, one restaurant seems to be bucking the trend.
Vinod Jakhmola, senior unit manager, SSP Singapore, said: "Whatever situation it is, it is for a short while. It will move on and we have to move further than that. In case of business, this is a lovely destination. People will still come back for the food outlets and definitely for the rides also."
The Flyer's operator also revealed that its recent decision to reverse the rotation of the wheel was not a factor in the latest breakdown.
In fact, it was a component failure which resulted in a small fire, and that caused a power outage, shutting down the entire system.
Mr Yeo said even though the small fire was put out in minutes, it had caused certain problems in the circuitry board, which as a result, had to be taken out for repairs.
However, even when the repairs are completed and safety checks done, the operator will still have to get the go-ahead from the police for the all-clear. - CNA/ms
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