Court Puts Brakes On Zurich Gondola

Zoo Seilbahn AG's joy after the verdict of the administrative court of the canton of Zurich, which confirmed the decision of the lower court and judged the cantonal design plan to be legal, was temporarily short-lived. The opposition is taking the verdict to the Federal Court.

“It is a shame that even after 15 years, the urgency and importance of the zoo cable car as the perfect and most sustainable public transport connection to Zurich Zoo is still not recognized,” says the delegate of the zoo cable car administrative board, Andreas Hohl.

The maiden voyage of the zoo cable car is further delayed

The opposition criticized the administrative court's ruling because the deficiencies in the traffic concept and in nature and environmental protection had still not been remedied and filed a complaint with the Federal Court. “After we started a new project for the zoo cable car in 2018, in which we fundamentally revised these two points, it is difficult for us to understand this progression to the next authority,” says Andreas Hohl, assessing the current situation. This will further delay the expected maiden voyage in 2028.

This makes Zurich Zoo's efforts to achieve even better public transport connections more difficult. The zoo can be accessed quickly and comfortably with the planned zoo cable car. The gondolas are suitable for strollers and barrier-free, ecologically and economically sustainable.

«The zoo cable car offers the perfect alternative to traveling by car. It doesn’t cause any noise, produces no exhaust fumes and is safe,” sums up Andreas Hohl. The starting point for the new travel alternative is the Stettbach public transport hub.

Current status of the procedure

• The Zurich building department finalized the design plan for the zoo cable car in May 2019. After being entered into the cantonal traffic plan by the cantonal council, the cable car also received a usage planning basis.
• On August 21, 2020, the building appeal court dismissed the appeals filed against the determination of the cantonal design plan.
• The cantonal administrative court dismissed the complaints against the judgment of the building appeal court on October 12, 2023, thereby confirming the judgment of the lower court.
• After the 30-day appeal period has expired, it is now clear that the opposition will take the judgment to the Federal Court.

Second, parallel procedure

• In addition to the cantonal design plan, planning approval from the federal government is also a prerequisite for the construction of the zoo cable car. This is expected as soon as the cantonal design plan is legally binding.
• Negotiations are ongoing with affected landowners to acquire the rights as a prerequisite for the operation of the cable car.