Palm Springs Aerial Tramway records 20 millionth rider
Four friends visiting Palm Springs from the Northeast were more than just the last patrons to enter the Tramway’s Valley Station at 7:58 p.m. on July 20th; Robbie Zweig, Brandon Mercier, Michael Landau and Abby Slywka–collectively–also became the 20-millionth riders of this iconic Palm Springs attraction, according to a news release from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which was released Friday morning.
Officials said when the group learned about the surprise distinction, they asked if they were on a TV prank show. They then explained they decided to extend their trip by a day just so they could all have dinner together at the Tramway.
“I’ve never been the twenty-millionth anything,” joked Mercier. “It must be the dry heat that made us lucky,” added Landau. While enjoying his first-ever ride on the Tramway, Zweig could only say, “Breathtaking.” Summing up their excitement, Slywka said, “I travel a lot for work, but now try to see things on my trips, like the Tram. I am so happy I changed my flight until tomorrow. What a fun night,” officials said in the news release.
According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “I remember our 10-millionth rider back in 1994. It took us 31 years to hit that mark, but only 23 years to reach our 20-millionth.”
To commemorate the occasion, the friends received a gift bag worth over $150 and were the Tramway’s guests, officials told KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2.
Nichols also said, “The clock now starts ticking on us reaching our 30-millionth rider. I suspect it will take even less time to reach that milestone.”
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