City Cable Car Solutions: A Growing Trend

Ropeways are conquering urban areas! Find out how cities around the world are using this technology to solve traffic problems and protect the environment.

Cable car solutions as a means of public transport

Cable cars are no longer limited to mountain regions. In recent years, there has been a clear trend towards the use of cable cars as a means of public transportation in urban areas. Cities around the world are recognizing the advantages of this transport solution, especially in densely populated or topographically challenging areas. Cable cars can not only relieve traffic congestion, but also offer low-emission alternatives to conventional means of transportation.

One example of the successful use of cable cars in urban areas is the "Mi Teleférico" cable car in La Paz, Bolivia. Since its opening in 2014, this cable car has significantly improved the city's public transport network by connecting remote parts of the city, drastically reducing travel time for commuters. With a route length of over 30 kilometers, "Mi Teleférico" is the longest urban cable car system in the world and transports around 300,000 passengers every day.

Advantages of urban cable cars

​​​​​​​Urban cable cars offer a number of advantages that make them an attractive addition to existing transportation systems. Firstly, they require significantly less space than conventional means of transportation such as buses or subway trains, as the cable car cabins hover above the streets and therefore do not interfere with ground traffic. This is particularly advantageous in densely populated cities, where space is limited and road traffic is already very busy.

Secondly, cable cars are environmentally friendly. They are mostly electrically powered and can be easily connected to renewable energy sources. This reduces emissions and helps to improve air quality in urban areas. Another example of this is the "Cablebús" cable car in Mexico City, which opened in 2021 and also helps to reduce pollution. In addition, cable cars are able to overcome difficult terrain that would be inaccessible to other means of transportation. This is particularly beneficial in cities with hills or rivers, where the construction of roads or rail transport could be costly and environmentally damaging. The "Téléphérique Brest" cable car in Brest, France, is an example of an urban cable car that crosses the river Penfeld to connect different parts of the city.

Challenges and future prospects

Despite their many advantages, urban cable cars also face challenges. One of the biggest challenges is public acceptance and integration into existing transportation systems. It requires extensive planning and public consultation to ensure that cable cars meet the needs of city dwellers and are effectively integrated into the transportation network.

However, the future of urban cable cars looks promising. With increasing urbanization and growing environmental concerns, cities around the world are looking for sustainable and efficient transport solutions. Ropeways could play an important role in this, especially in areas that are difficult to access by other means of transportation. If the challenges are overcome, urban ropeways could become an integral part of the urban transportation network in the coming years.