The Maokong cable car system officially began operation on Wednesday, but bad weather and minor glitches temporarily forced the system to stop and interrupted passengers rides.

The NT$1.3 billion transportation project has broken both domestic and international records in terms of construction difficulties. The 4.03-kilometer-long cable car system is the longest cable car system in Taiwan, and all of its four stops are located in mountainous areas, meaning construction roads could not be set up and workers had to lug 60-kilogram work tools on their backs to reach some of the sites.

Also, while most cable car systems in other countries are constructed in straight lines, Maokong Gondola is the worlds only cable car system which has two sharp turns, one at an angle of 15 degrees and the other at 80.3 degrees. Taipei City Government officials said the two sharp turns were made to reduce impact on the local ecological environment.

Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin （郝龍斌） and former Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou （馬英九）, along with media reporters, rode in the cars after the launch ceremony, but the trip - 20 minutes in theory - was delayed four times for a total of about nine minutes, due to technical glitches.

The cable service, after opening to public at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, temporarily suspended its ticketing system three times due to bad weather. For safety concerns, the system will stop if thunder, lightning, or an earthquake occurs.

More than 7,300 people boarded the system during the first four hours of its operation.

During Wednesdays ceremony, Hau assured the public of the systems safety based on its six-month trial operation. "The launch of the cable car system is a summer vacation gift and is a big step for the development of the Maokong area," the mayor said, adding that the system brings the public another recreational center. Maokong is famous for many teahouses and its nighttime views.

The mayor noted that he especially owes his thanks to Ma, for the construction project was started during Mas tenure.

"I am happy and touched to see that the cable car system has finally been launched after the hard work made during the past three years. My opponents often criticize me, saying Im only good at swimming and jogging, but the launch of the system proves that I am also skilled at building cable cars," joked Ma.

He added that he was not worried when the cable car stalled mid-trip, because the Swiss-designed system has completed all necessary safety tests by French company POMA, which is responsible for the building and installation of the system. When asked by reporters whether he felt it was too hot in the cabin, which is not air-conditioned, he said the temperature outside and inside the cabin did not differ too much and that he felt alright.

Some test riders, however, complained that the cars were too hot. Two panels in the lower half of the cars shutters were replaced on Tuesday by slats that allowed for better ventilation. The city government is still assessing the feasibility of installing air-conditioners in the cable cars.

The Maokong cable car system will run from the Taipei Municipal Zoo to Maokong, with two stops at Taipei Zoo South Station and Chihnan Temple. It will operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Passengers can use their MRT EasyCards to pay for the cable car ride. Prices are set at NT$30, NT$40 and NT$50.