TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Maokong Gondola will be temporarily closed from June 16 to June 30 for its annual maintenance, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. announced.

During the two-week suspension, comprehensive inspections and upgrades will be carried out to ensure the safety and reliability of the system. Service is set to resume on July 1.

Key maintenance work will cover critical components such as gearboxes, oil pipes, main motors, cooling fans, and public restrooms. Taipei Zoo South Station will also undergo anti-rust treatment and repainting on its tracks and steel structures.

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

As gondola cables are made of flexible metal, they gradually elongate over time due to the system’s weight and operation. When elongation exceeds safe thresholds, excess cable must be trimmed to maintain proper tension and operational safety.

The company explained that these tasks require heavy equipment, specialized labor, and lengthy testing, making them difficult to complete during the gondola’s regular weekly maintenance. The work is scheduled for May and June because frequent thunderstorms during this period typically lead to lower ridership.

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

Since opening in 2007, the Maokong Gondola has served an average of over 2 million passengers annually, excluding 2022 due to the COVID pandemic. Spanning 4 kilometers, it provides a 20- to 30-minute ride across four stations, linking key tourist destinations and offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding hills.