Palm Springs Aerial Tramway reopens Friday with new safety protocols

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway reopens Friday with new safety protocols aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.

The Tram has been closed since mid-March, due to the pandemic. It has now been allowed to reopen under the category of transportation.

“It’s very important that we have the confidence to welcome people back and we want to create an experience that is both memorable, but also safe,” said Majorie Delacruz, Vice President of Human Resources and Risk Management for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

As the Vice President of Risk Management, it’s been Delacruz’s job to ensure the Tram follows all CDC, state and county health guidelines. This includes decals to promote social distancing, temperature checks and mask-wearing.

When asked about enforcement, both the Tram and the City of Palm Springs say they trust people will follow these guidelines.

Tram cars that usually carry 80, will be limited to 12 people at a time.

“We feel that the time is now to do a very soft opening, to do it in a reduced capacity, and to hopefully create an experience that will be enjoyable for those that come,” said Delacruz.

“The Tram has always operated for seven days a week, but with our soft opening here, we’re going to a four day schedule, Friday through Monday, and instead of running every 10 minutes, we’ll be running every 20 minutes, and that will allow us time to sanitize between each trip. We’re also reducing our hours, the last Tram up will be at 4:20 each day and the last Tram down will be at 6 o’clock,” said Greg Purdy, Vice President of Marketing and Public Affairs for the Tram.

Purdy said they have modeled their protocols after other transportation operations. For example, the Tram is sanitized between each trip with an electrostatic sanitation device that kills microorganisms on surfaces. The Tram has also added antimicrobial tape to all touch surfaces. The windows have to remain open for ventilation, regardless of weather. 

“Hopefully people will come back, not only will they see some wonderful new changes here at our Mountain Station, but that they’ll feel safe when they come. That’s really what our goal is, that they know we’re doing everything in our power to maintain their safety,” Purdy said.

Reservations must be booked online in advance to help manage the number of people in the Tram's facilities at a time.