The Press Room offers material for print and Internet publications. Copy on various Tram topics is available below, and may be downloaded as a PDF file.
GOVERNOR REAPPOINTS THREE MEMBERS OF MOUNT SAN JACINTO WINTER PARK AUTHORITY
PALM SPRINGS, CA (April 27, 2026) California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced three reappointments to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority (MSJWPA), the governing board of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Brian Conley, of Laguna Woods, was originally appointed to the MSJWPA in 2018. He has been President and Chief Executive Officer at Community College Connections since 2012 and was a professor at Golden West College from 1975 to 2012. He was an elected member of the Governing Board of the Rancho Santiago Community College District from 1988 to 2012, serving four terms as Board President. The district, the seventh largest in California, served 60,000 students and employed 3,000. In 1999, Governor Gray Davis appointed Conley to the Board of Governors of California Community Colleges. In 2010, Conley was appointed to the California Student Aid Commission by Assembly Speaker John Perez where he served for five years, awarding California students $2.2 billion dollars in student aid during that time. Conley earned a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education and Humanities from California State University, Fresno and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from California State University, Sacramento. He has completed advanced studies at UCLA, Pepperdine University (Doctoral Program in Education) and Geneva School of Art & Design in Switzerland.
Sandra Magaña-Cuellar, of Corona, has been reappointed to the MSJWPA, where she has served since 2018. Cuellar has been Director of Government Affairs at Charter Communications since 2000. She was Project Director at Hispanas Organized for Political Equality from 1997 to 2000; Project Coordinator at the Contreras-Sweet Company in 1997; and an Intern at Consensus Planning Group from 1996 to 1997. Cuellar was an Assistant Account Executive at Oralia Michel Public Relations from 1995 to 1996 and Assistant Tour Publicist at Levine-Schneider Public Relations from 1994 to 1995. She is a member of the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality Board of Directors, the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Inland Action Board of Directors. Cuellar earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Management from the University of Southern California.
Jeff Ohlfs, of Twentynine Palms, was originally appointed to the MSJWPA in 2018. He has been a Division Supervisor (Reservist) for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Operations Division Response Directorate since 2017. He held several positions at Joshua Tree National Park from 1990 to 2016, including Chief Park Ranger, District Park Ranger and Park Ranger. He was a park ranger at Hot Springs National Park from 1987 to 1990 and at C&O Canal National Historical Park from 1985 to 1987. Ohlfs earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Planning (Law) from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt.
According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “The reappointment of our three Governor appointees was wonderful news. They, along with our other Authority Members, guide the Tramway’s strategic direction to ensure the Tram remains a viable and iconic Coachella Valley attraction.”
The four additional Authority Members are Jerry Ogburn and Nancy Stuart, appointed by the Palm Springs City Council, and Jonathan Hoy and Giovanni Virgen, appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.
TRAMWAY TO CLOSE MARCH 24 FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
PALM SPRINGS, CA (March 3, 2026) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will be closed for scheduled maintenance on Tuesday, March 24, with a tentative reopening date of Wednesday, March 25.
During the closure, the Tramway’s maintenance team will shorten the counter haul rope.
According to Vice President of Tramway Systems Chris Bartsch, “Whenever a new haul rope is installed, as we did during our annual preventative maintenance closure in October, shortening is always required after several months due to the natural stretch that occurs.”
We appreciate Tramway patrons’ understanding during this scheduled closure.
SUNRISE SERVICE AT THE PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
Experience Dining at 8,516 Feet with Special Easter Meal Packages
PALM SPRINGS, CA (March 8, 2026) On Sunday, April 5, celebrate Easter Sunrise Service at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Mountain Station. Enjoy songs of faith, hope and joy by the Perkins Brothers, and an inspirational message by Pastor Robert Sneed. The service begins at 5:15 a.m., with the first tram car up at 4:30 a.m. Sunrise Service tickets are $24.95 for adults and seniors, and $13.95 for children ages 3-10. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Tramway’s Valley Station during normal business hours or on Easter morning from 4:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
Ride ‘N’ Breakfast combination tickets, which include Sunrise Service, tram fare and breakfast, are $34.95 for adults and seniors, and $21.95 for children ages 3-10. Breakfast, featuring a selection of fresh fruit, pastries, scrambled eggs, applewood-smoked bacon and more, will be served from 6:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in Pines Café, a cafeteria-style restaurant. Ride ‘N’ Breakfast tickets may be purchased in advance on-site at the Valley Station or upon arrival on Easter Sunday from 4:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
Additionally, Pines Café will serve a special all-day Easter Ride ‘N’ Dine menu from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The holiday menu includes a choice of glazed ham, sliced meatloaf, grilled chicken breast or vegetarian lasagna, and a selection of side dishes. A fountain beverage, coffee or tea is included. Ride ‘N’ Dine tickets are $41.00 for adults and seniors, and $27.50 for children ages 3-10. Easter Ride ‘N’ Dine tickets and regular tram fares will be available for purchase beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 5.
