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Jurong Bird Park Panorail

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Jurong Bird Park Panorail
Overview
Native nameMalay: Sistem Panorail Taman Burung Jurong[1]
Chinese: 飞禽公园单轨列车[2]
LocaleJurong Bird Park
Transit typeStraddle-beam monorail
Number of lines1
Number of stations3
WebsiteOfficial website (archived 14 April 2012)
Operation
Began operation11 April 1992; 33 years ago (1992-04-11)
Ended operation1 April 2012; 13 years ago (2012-04-01)
Technical
System length1.7 km (1.1 mi)

The Jurong Bird Park Panorail was a monorail system for the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore. Measuring 1.7-kilometre (1.1 mi), it went around the park in a loop with three stations.

Prior to the monorail's opening, diesel trams were used to transport visitors around the park, which were deemed to be big, noisy, and hot by April 1988. Plans were conceptualised in the same month. Construction began in November 1990 and the system was launched on 11 April 1992. The Jurong Bird Park ceased operations in 2012.

Planned by Von Roll, a monorail was chosen as it would not emit pollution and create noise. The monorail system used 4 fully air-conditioned four-car trains which travelled around the park in approximately 11 minutes. It ceased operations in 2012 and was replaced by a tram service.

History

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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.[3] By April 1990, it was reported in The Straits Times that the monorail will be opened by mid-next year.[4] 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.[5] In September 1990, it was announced that the monorail system would cost S$18 million (1990) (US$9.93 million) as part of a S$30 million (1990) (US$16.55 million) development programme for the bird park. It was expected to be finished by next year for Jurong Bird Park's 20th anniversary.[6] Construction began in November 1990.[7] An unveiling ceremony for the trains was held on 16 September 1991, with the system announced as the "Panorail" in the same month.[8] It was launched by President Wee Kim Wee on 11 April 1992, the 21st anniversary of the park.[9][10] It was announced on 12 August 1994 that the Panorail will be closed until 7 September for upgrading works on the tracks and trains.[11] The panorail ceased operations in 2012.[12]

External media
image icon The sign for the monorail development By The New Paper
image icon Artist's impression of the monorail system By The Straits Times
image icon Photograph of the monorail's rolling stock By The Straits Times
image icon President Wee Kim Wee at the monorail's opening By The Straits Times

Details

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A monorail entering a panorail station in October 2009

The Jurong Bird Park Panorail is a 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi) monorail system. Planned by Vonroll Transport Systems,[8] a monorail was chosen as the executive director of the park, S.Thiruchelvam, said that a monorail would run silently and not emit pollution as it would be powered by electricity. It was also intended to facilitate closer contact between visitors and the birds.[6] The "Panorail" part was named as the system provided a "panoramic" view of the park's landscape.[8][13]

Route description

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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.[10] The Jurong Bird Park Panorail had three stations.[14] Each station had an elevator for the elderly and handicapped.[15] Part of the panorail's route entered an aviary, which was promoted as "the only one of its kind in the world".[16]

  • Main Station, near the entrance and amphitheatre
  • Lory Loft Station, near the Lory Loft
  • Waterfall Station, near the Waterfall Aviary and Jurong Falls

Rolling stock

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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.[7] Built by Vonroll Transport Systems, the trains were air conditioned and had tinted windows that went from the train's roof to knee level.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Nahas di Taman Burung: Rakyat simpati". Berita Harian (in Malay). 12 April 1992. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  2. ^ "飞禽公园单轨列车增华韩日语讲解| 联合早报". Lianhe Zaobao (in Simplified Chinese). 16 December 1997. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  3. ^ Ho, May (9 April 1988). "A showcase for S-E Asian birds". The Straits Times. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Where parrots and orangutans join you for breakfast".
  5. ^ "Monorail for Bird Park". New Paper. 22 June 1990. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Monorail rides at BirdPark". The Straits Times. 2 September 1990. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Bird Watching".
  8. ^ a b c d "Bird's-eye view of Bird Park". The Straits Times. 17 September 1991. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  9. ^ Simran Kaur (11 April 1992). "Bird watching". New Paper.
  10. ^ a b "11-minute ride is fabulous, says President". The Straits Times. 12 April 1992. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  11. ^ "INFOSERVICE". The Straits Times. 12 August 1994. p. 30. Retrieved 17 July 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  12. ^ Ng, Keng Gene (30 August 2022). "Jurong Bird Park to close after Jan 3 to prepare for move to Mandai". The Straits Times. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  13. ^ "Panorail". Jurong Bird Park. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  14. ^ "JBP Map". Jurong Bird Park. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  15. ^ "BirdPark's wheelchairs".
  16. ^ "Free admission to Bird Park tomorrow". The Straits Times. 25 December 1993. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
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