Electric buses, car sharing models or cable cars - public transport is changing. In addition to post-fossil drive types with green electricity and the constant expansion of rail transport, off-road transport could also become a reality and contribute to achieving climate goals.
Whether, for example, a cable car could supplement the mobility concept in the eastern low mountain range in the future is now being surveyed in a population survey. “Transport and energy transitions require courage, foresight and openness to technology. This also requires visions and impulses, which can often also be the impetus for further projects or ideas. A cable car in the greater Innsbruck area as a form of public transport is an idea worth discussing. We will see, whether this can be a viable and supplementary form of mobility in the future," emphasizes LH Anton Mattle, who calls on the population to actively participate in the survey.
“The mobility of the future must be climate-friendly, easily accessible and affordable. This can also include visionary concepts such as a cable car," explains Mobility Provincial Councilor René Zumtobel and adds: "Cable cars are already established as public transport in many major cities around the world and there are already well-functioning examples in our area," referring to the Rittnerbahn in Bozen, which connects the city with the Rittner district of Oberbozen via several intermediate stops and transports up to 6,000 people per day.
The public's opinion is required
A feasibility study was carried out in 2021, which shows that a cable car from Leipzigerplatz or from Innsbruck main station via Olympiaworld in Innsbruck-Mitte via Igls/Lans to the valley station of the Patscherkofelbahn is definitely feasible. In around 18 minutes, for example, you would be at the valley station of the Patscherkofelbahn from the main train station and in around five minutes from Sillpark via Innsbruck main station at Olympiaworld. In the next step, the population is now asked: Would the residents use such a public transport solution? Would it be an addition or even an alternative to the existing public transport connections? All residents of Innsbruck and the communities in the eastern low mountain range - i.e. those communities for whom the cable car can be used as a potential public transport connection to and from Innsbruck - will receive a letter with a questionnaire in April. This can either be filled out online or returned in paper form. General personal data as well as mobility behavior and different mobility situations such as the way to work or to go shopping are queried.
The survey is being carried out as part of a research project at Graz University of Technology, which is supported by the state of Tyrol and which generally deals with the potential of cable cars in public transport. LR Zumtobel invites all residents to take part in the survey: "By expanding public transport, we want to create even better connections for people and thus minimize the need for private car journeys. Therefore, the opinion of the population on such new and visionary concepts is extremely important.” The residents of the communities concerned can take part in the survey until May 31, 2023. A model is then created with the results and the passenger potential of a cable car connection between Innsbruck and the municipalities of the eastern low mountain range is determined.
Lighthouse project City Cable Car
The options for building a cable car directly from the city were examined in the course of the feasibility study. For example, the implementation of the concept of a so-called City Cable Car would be conceivable - the cable car hovers in fixed "tracks" above the street. The big advantage of such a track: Even tight turns and curves can be mastered without any problems. Outside of the city area, the cable car could then be routed regularly over lift supports. Another advantage of the cable car is the possibility to take your bike with you and the reduction of tourist traffic to the Patscherkofelbahn. "A City Cable Car would be an absolute novelty - so far, such a cable car only exists on paper," says LR Zumtobel. “It is clear that we can only achieve the climate goals if we are open to new ideas.
