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Posts Tagged: Cable Car

23
Aug

2013

Weekly Roundup: Cable Car Proposed for Vienna’s Kahlenberg Mountain

Will the Kahlenberg (pictured) in Vienna soon see a cable car? Image by Flickr user artissoft.

A quick look at some of the things that happened this week in the world of cable cars, urban gondolas, and cable propelled transit:

A new cable car proposal has surfaced in Vienna, Austria. The concept is spearheaded by the Chamber of Commerce and they’d like to see gondola link the Kahlenberg — a 484m tall urban mountain . Proponents believe it can spur tourism and help reconnect the peak which was once accessible via a cog wheel railway.

In Malta, a local council is pushing for a cable car which connects Mellieħa — a popular tourist area — to Ghadira Bay. Planning efforts are still underway but council would like to see the proposed system become operational in 4 years time.

The Sea to Sky Gondola project in Squamish, BC continues move along quite nicely. Some tourism experts believe it will be the province’s top attraction next year. It is estimated to pull in over 200,000 passengers annually and is expected to open in summer 2014.

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15
Jul

2013

Genoa Funivia/Cabinovia: First Aerial Cable Car Connection to an Airport?

While many bottom-supported CPT lines already exist for internal airport transport (i.e. Birmingham, Toronto, Mexico City), top-supported CPT systems connecting to an airport have yet to materialize.

However, this may soon change as a plan coming from Genoa, Italy proposes to link a future rail station to the airport via an aerial gondola. Thanks to reader GiorgioXT, he offered to not only update us on this project but to translate the article!

Genova Funivia proposal. Image via La Repubblica Genova.

Today, accessing the city’s airport — Cristoforo Colombo Airport — via public transit is difficult despite having a rail line near the terminal. Passengers must board an inefficient ~4km long bus from Genova Porta Principe Station that takes upward of 30 minutes due to heavy traffic in the city.

To solve this problem, four groups — Regione Liguria, Genoa Municipality, the Airport and a Cornigliano company — came together to develop the cable car solution. So far, the project has received €1.2 million in financial support from the TEN-T EU network to study its feasibility.

Proposed CPT route alignment. Image via La Repubblica Genova.

Project proponents envision a MDG system that is built in two sections. The first will be >600m in length and will connect the airport terminal to the new rail station Aeroporto-Erzelli on the Genoa-Ventimiglia railway. The second portion will continue east and then north to connect Erzelli hill and a Technology Campus (Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico di Genova-Erzelli).

In total the 4 station system is estimated to cost €15 million with a capacity of 4,000. Final designs are due for completion by 2014.

If this project is successful, the implications for CPT could be far-reaching — it could be the first aerial cable car system to connect to an airport while solving a clear last mile problem. More importantly, it may serve as a best practice example for other cities who wish to improve airport connectivity.

Thanks again to GiorgioXT for submitting and translating the link for us!

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14
Jun

2013

Weekly Roundup: Koblenz Rheinseilbahn Not Compatible with Area – UNESCO Status in Jeopardy

A quick look at some of the things that happened this week in the world of cable cars, urban gondolas, and cable propelled transit:

Koblenz Rheinseilbahn. Image by Flickr user Steffi.

Bad news coming from Koblenz, Germany: ICOMO’s (International Council for Monuments and Sites) position paper states that Koblenz Rheinseilbahn is not compatible with the surrounding historical area and calls for its dismantling in 2014. However, local groups are fighting back and now trying to drum up support to keep the cable car.

More news coming from Germany, but this time from Ingolstadt. There appears to be a very preliminary proposal on the table for an urban gondola system that’s up to 7km in length.

The Guardian gives us a fascinating and detailed update into what has transpired since the slew of social infrastructure projects – including the Metrocable lines – were constructed in Medellin, Colombia. While the urban gondola systems, libraries and public art projects have undoubtedly improved the lives of thousands, violence and civil unrest continue to be challenges faced by barrio residents.

Rocinha – Brazil’s largest favela – is divided on whether a new cable car is the highest priority project for the neighbourhood. Some argue that basic sanitation and trash collection should be improved first and foremost. Nonetheless, despite these concerns, it seems like the current plans are moving forward and calls for two cable car lines totalling 6 stations.

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24
May

2013

Weekly Roundup: New Urban Gondola for Ankara, Turkey

Ankara Cable Car Rendering. Image from Leitner.

By 2014, Ankara will soon be home to another urban gondola. This 3.2km system will have 106 cabins with a capacity of 2,400 pphpd. Once opened, it will serve the Şentepe neighbourhood and will be located near Yenimahalle metro station. Based on renderings, the stations may be one of the most architecturally stunning urban CPT lines yet.

Swiss article discusses why the country has yet to fully embrace urban gondolas as a viable form of mass transit. This is particularly surprising as it is considered a country with the highest per capita usage of cable cars.

Reports suggest that the La Paz Cable Car system will be ready for passenger usage starting in the first quarter of 2014. It is not entirely clear at this time which of the 3 lines will be operational first. However, it seems that locations for some towers have yet to be finalized and officials are still looking to find the appropriate solutions to minimize impact on traffic and land use.

Here’s a new idea for urban cable cars: the Emirates Air Lines is starting to introduce school lessons for children on board the system. Kids can learn a variety of subjects including regeneration, sustainability and the Olympic legacy.

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17
May

2013

Weekly Roundup: Map of Jerusalem Cable Car

A quick look at some of the things that happened this week in the world of cable cars, urban gondolas, and cable propelled transit:

Jerusalem Cable Car Proposal Map.

Reports surfaced the last couple weeks about an urban cable car proposal in Jerusalem. A map of the proposed 1.6 km alignment is now available can be seen above or by clicking here.

The Teleferico do Complexo do Alemao in Rio de Janeiro is slowly beginning to transform the favela neighbourhood in unexpected ways. The system is now serving 12,000 passengers a day and attracting visitors world round who want a glimpse into favela life. While some question its benefits as a pure mass transit system, the cable lift does seem to be spurring more economic activity in the once drug-ridden community.

An environmental planner visits Medellin and rides its famous Metrocable system.

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08
Mar

2013

Weekly Roundup: Construction Starts on Sea to Sky Gondola

A quick look at some of the things that happened this week in the world of cable cars, urban gondolas, and cable propelled transit:

Sea to Sky Gondola. Image from seatoskygondola.com

The $25 million Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, B.C. is now under construction. Once complete, it is estimated to transport 300,000 visitors annually from Shannon Falls and Stewamus Chief.
It appears that a vote on March 14 will decide if the Koblenz Rheinseilbahn will remain in the city (article in German). The system was originally built as a temporary transport solution for the BUGA garden festival.
A cable car proposal has been put forward in Isleworth, England during a planning consultation session. It looks to alleviate some of the city’s traffic congestion problems.

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15
Feb

2013

Weekly Roundup: New Cable Car for Istanbul, Turkey?

A quick look at some of the things that happened this week in the world of cable cars, urban gondolas, and cable propelled transit:

View of Bosphorus in the back. A cable car across the strait would effectively provide another transport link between Asia and Europe! Image by Flickr user enric archivell.

New transportation plans in Istanbul, Turkey reveal that a cable car is planned travel over the Bosphorus strait. While the project is still within its infant stages, if built, the system is proposed to connect Mecidiyeköy to Altunizade.
The Nepalese government has put out two new cable car projects for tender. These lines are meant to connect the two religious sites of Swargadwari and Pathibhara in hopes to improve tourism in the country.
Reports indicate that two young men who allegedly vandalized the new Ski Apache gondola are now facing felony charges for carving some inappropriate images onto the cabin windows.
The municipality of Lima in Peru has released a new video of the Teleferico “Cerro San Cristobal”. If any you guys out there know Spanish and would like to translate for us, we’d definitely appreciate it.

Weekly Roundup

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The Gondola Project

Posts Tagged: Cable Car

Weekly Roundup: Cable Car Proposed for Vienna’s Kahlenberg Mountain

Genoa Funivia/Cabinovia: First Aerial Cable Car Connection to an Airport?

Weekly Roundup: Koblenz Rheinseilbahn Not Compatible with Area – UNESCO Status in Jeopardy

Weekly Roundup: New Urban Gondola for Ankara, Turkey

Weekly Roundup: Map of Jerusalem Cable Car

Weekly Roundup: Construction Starts on Sea to Sky Gondola

Weekly Roundup: New Cable Car for Istanbul, Turkey?

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