THE international team of experts flown in over Christmas to inspect the Singapore Flyer has outlined a rough plan to get the temporarily grounded observation wheel up and running again - and more safely too.

Engineers from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the wheel's contractor, are now looking into how the wheel stalled and the extent of damage wrought by an electrical fire that short-circuited the system.

Mr Steven Yeo, the general manager of the Flyer, said: 'Once they have done that, they will reinstate the electrical components to their original state, and we should be able to turn the wheel.'

He was speaking to reporters during the Flyer management's discussions with the complex's 31 tenants on how they could be helped.

Asked whether the Flyer would reopen within days, he would only say that the management would like to err on the side of safety as some repair works might take a bit more time.

He said a proposal to help the tenants had been submitted to the Flyer's board of directors. Among the ideas are rental rebates and promotions such as events and a carnival to draw the crowds.

One tenant said the management was thinking of lining up Chinese New Year activities, but details were vague.

Tenants who were interviewed yesterday said the management promised to help struggling businesses and were considering waiving rents for longer than the one week initially offered two days ago.

These offers of help come as a relief, as some tenants had earlier complained about the management's lack of communication following the temporary closure of the world's largest observation wheel.

The police ordered it shut after it ground to a halt last week, trapping 173 passengers in mid-air for six hours.

Tenants said the management promised that more subsidies would be doled out when the wheel is operating again.

Ms Serene Tjokro-Lau, who owns the Jalapeno's Pepper cafe, said the management appeared confident this would happen early in the year.

An official relaunch of the wheel, in either March or April with a new image and promotional activities, has been broached.

'It is meant to coincide with the anniversary of the official launch of the Flyer,' she said.

Ms Tjokro-Lau said she had asked for a rental waiver longer than the one week offered, and Flyer officials said they would consider her request.

The management also told her that help would be given to tenants on a case-by-case basis, and this help was assured for those who were struggling.

What seemed to matter most to the tenants was that the management finally gave a personal apology. This olive branch appeared to have mollified them, going by interviews after their meetings with officials.

Ms Joanna Caston, the director of sales and marketing of the Flight Experience flight simulator attraction, said: 'The waiver is a great start. We are optimistic that the wheel will turn soon.'

She said she would raise the issue of her loss of earnings later, with the next meeting likely to be in the coming weeks.

Others now just want to move on.

Mr Samuel Seong Koon, director of Love The World bistro, said: 'This is something nobody wanted, and the Flyer also has made losses. If people keep pointing fingers, nothing will happen.'

twong@sph.com.sg