outdoor escalators without cover are very troublesome and sexpensive to maintain with weather, temperature, seasonal changes, foliage, leaves, animals, dirt, rockslides, etc. cable cars and gondolas have been proven to work in all-weather conditions from hot summers to cold winters. in penang there is a funicular tram rail to the top of penang hill which is actually a mountain at over 2,699 feet. very shiok up there at 699m and 69f all year round.