PALM SPRINGS – Employees at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway who have not been able to work while the attraction has been closed will continue to be paid through March 31, which coincides with the April 1 tentative reopening date.
The Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority made the unanimous decision at its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 27, Chairperson Nancy Stuart said.
“Our best resource in getting us whole, again, is our management and our employees,” Stuart told Uken Report. “Our employees are so dedicated. Many have been there 10, 20, and 30-plus years. They are pitching in wherever help is needed. They are working 10-hour days and still want to do more.”
Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority has a “rainy day” fund for instances such as this, but money is secondary, Stuart said.
“It takes people, and we have that.” Stuart said. “We will regroup, polish, and come back strong because we have an amazing staff. Their spirit and professionalism is absolutely commendable.”
The world-famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway has been closed since Valentine’s Day when a pounding rainstorm hammered the city of Palm Springs. The 3.69 inches of rain paralyzed parts of the city. The day went down in the record books as wettest day in Palm Springs in 76 years, according to the National Weather Service.
“I can’t say enough about the management of the Tramway,” Stuart said. “They were getting damage assessments the day after the storm and were moving so quickly.”
About 70 employees work at the Tramway. More than half of the Tramway staff is, however, currently on duty with closure-related duties, said Cara Youngman, public relations manager. At this time, the employees for whom there is no work are the Tramway’s ticket agents, retail employees, and tram car operators.
In addition to compensating employees throughout March, the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority ratified approval of $351,071 in road, lot and electrical repairs plus additional rental fees for scaffolding.
The Authority authorized the general manager an amount not to exceed $500,000 for further repairs, engineering and inspections.
In addition, the Authority authorized the waiver of concessionaire commission payments to the Tramway for January and February.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car. Opened in 1963, the Tram’s 80-passenger cars travel along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon from the Valley Station (elevation 2,643 ft.) to the Mountain Station (elevation 8,516 ft.) in approximately 10 minutes.
For more information, please call 888.515.TRAM or 760.325.1391, or click here. You may also download the free mobile tour now available in the App Store/Google Play.
