Aerial Tramway Reopens After 900 People Trapped At Mountain Summit

PALM SPRINGS, CA — The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway reopened Monday after one of its tramcar batteries stopped working Sunday night, delaying the descent of some 900 people.

Madison Morgan, the tramway's public relations manager, told City News Service that, as of 5 p.m. Sunday, one of the tramcar batteries was not working properly. As a result, tramcars were delayed as a maintenance team assessed the non-safety-related electrical issue.

"There were 900 guests on the mountain waiting to come down." Morgan told CNS. "Our maintenance team was able to use one tramcar to begin bringing guests down from the Mountain Station."

All guests were safely taken down the mountain by 11 p.m. Sunday, and the maintenance team continued repairs, according to Morgan.

The issue was resolved Monday, and the tramway had a delayed opening, with the first car making its way up to Mountain Station by 1:30 p.m., Morgan said. The last tramcar was to head down at 9:30 p.m.

"We wish to thank our patrons for their patience and understanding," Morgan said in a statement Monday. "Guests who were affected by the technical difficulties yesterday and today are more than welcome to request a full refund on their tickets on behalf of the tramway."

Customers can get status updates on the tram's operations by calling 760-325-1391.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Mountain Station, also known as Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Alpine Station, is located in Mount San Jacinto State Park .

Editor's note: The original version of this article said the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was in Idyllwild and has been updated to reflect that it is located in Palm Springs.