Jurong Bird Park Panorail

Prior to the monorail, diesel trams were used to transport visitors around Jurong Bird Park, which were deemed to be "big, noisy, and hot" by April 1988. Plans for the monorail were first conceptualised in the same month and was expected to be done within five years time. By April 1990, it was reported in The Straits Times that the monorail will be opened by mid-next year. A sign promoting the monorail development with two stations and four trains was sighted at the park in June, with confirmation from a spokesman that there was a monorail planned. In September 1990, it was announced that the monorail system would cost as part of a development programme for the bird park. It was expected to be finished by next year for Jurong Bird Park's 20th anniversary. Construction began in November 1990. It was launched by President Wee Kim Wee on 11 April 1992, the 21st anniversary of the park. It was announced on 12 August 1994 that the Panorail will be closed until 7 September for upgrading works on the tracks and trains. The panorail ceased operations in 2012. The panorail was still listed on the official website as of 14 April 2012, but was replaced by a trackless tram service listing by 3 May 2012. ==Details==

The Jurong Bird Park Panorail is a monorail system. Planned by Vonroll Transport Systems, Route description The route for the Jurong Bird Park Panorail follows similarly to the park. It starts from the Main station, which is near the entrance. The entire journey took roughly 11 mins. Each station had an elevator for the elderly and handicapped. Part of the panorail's route entered an aviary, which was promoted as "the only one of its kind in the world". Rolling stock The Jurong Bird Park Panorail had 4 trains in its system, being the Kingfisher, Pelican, Cockatoo, and Woodpecker. Each train had 4 cars, with the last car having wider doors and fold-up chairs for the elderly and disabled. Built by Vonroll Transport Systems, the trains were air conditioned and had tinted windows that went from the train's roof to knee level. ==References==