On This Day in 1974, The Singapore Cable Car Connects Mount Faber To Sentosa
51 years ago, there was no Changi Airport, Singapore was watching TV in colour, and President Benjamin Sheares was in office. And on 15 Feb 1974, Singaporeans queued for a brand-new experience – to glide from Mount Faber to Sentosa in a cable car.
A sky-high vision
The idea for the cable car came after Britain pulled its military out of Singapore in the late 1960s. The government wanted to turn Pulau Blakang Mati (now Sentosa) into a tourist attraction.
Swiss company Von Roll was brought in to build the 1.75km-long system, but Singapore’s own firms designed the stations and towers. The whole project cost $5.8 million, which was a huge sum at the time.
The grand opening
Deputy Prime Minister Goh Keng Swee took the first ride with his wife in the bright yellow Cable Car No 1. Looking down at the panoramic view of the harbour, he smiled and later told reporters that it was as good as any ride he had taken overseas.
More than 1,000 people eagerly lined up to be part of the first batch to hop on the cable car, paying $4 for a round trip. Within three years, over 2.3 million passengers had taken a ride.
Over the years
The cable car quickly became a Singapore icon, attracting not just locals and tourists but also VIPs like Lord Louis Mountbatten (the last Viceroy of British India). It even made an appearance in the US TV series "Hawaii Five-O", where a bad guy was chased across the cable car wires.
By the 1990s, demand had soared to over 8,000 passengers on weekends, so 81 roomier cabins were added in 1994. In 2010, the system got a major revamp, with sleek, wheelchair-friendly cabins that could carry more people. Then in 2015, the Sentosa Line was introduced, linking Merlion Plaza, Imbiah Lookout, and Siloso Point.
The Singapore Cable Car today
The Singapore Cable Car remains one of the best ways to experience the city from 100m in the air. Today, a round trip ticket for locals costs $28 for adults, $17.50 for seniors (above 60 years old) and $20 for kids (4-12 years old) until 31 Mar 2025.
Last year, it celebrated its 50th anniversary. To commemorate the milestone, SkyOrb cabins were introduced in March 2024 – they glow at night and have transparent glass bottoms for that extra thrill (which you can enjoy for an extra $15 on the regular ticket price).
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