The Environmental Protection Administration voiced concern on Tuesday for the upcoming launch of the Maokong cable car system, urging the Taipei City Government to come up with better solutions to the noise problem caused by the cable cars.

Wu Sheng-chung, deputy director-general of the EPAs Bureau of Air Quality Protection and Noise Control, noted on Tuesday that despite the fact that the EPA does not have the authority order the city government to put off the launch date for the cable car system, it still turned back the improvement plan proposed by the city government four days ago because the plan does not provide a concrete idea for fixing the noise problem produced by the cable cars. "The EPA returned the plan as it is too contracted and it cannot sufficiently solve the noise problem," said Wu, adding that the EPA has asked the city government to propose a better plan to the noise problem since May.

The city government last Saturday announced that the Maokong cable car system in Muzha will begin operation on July 4.

Wu said that during the 12-week test run, local residents living along the line of cable cars kept making petitions to the EPA, complaining that the noise initiated by the cable car is extremely disturbing.

"The city government has to have sufficient communication with the local inhabitants. The obtainment of their trust is an important factor for the launch of cable car system," said Wu.

In spite of the fact that the decibels detected along the line of the system do not surpass the upper limit set by the law, the noise has been irritating local inhabitants, Wu said.

In response, the city government stressed that the noise levels fall under the standard range set by law. It added that the cable car will stick to the launch date of July 4 after it passes a final inspection that is scheduled to be conducted Thursday.

Meanwhile, several Taipei City councilors last Tuesday invited three physically challenged citizens to have a test ride of the cable car. Two of them were quoted by cable news station TVBS as saying that the cable car moves too quickly, and it is inconvenient for them to board the car. One reportedly said that it is cool that the chairs inside the cable car are foldable, and that he is satisfied with the ride.

The 4-kilometer-long Maokong cable car system will run from the Taipei Municipal Zoo to Maokong, with a stop at 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.