Garaventa Secures Largest Order Package In The Company's History

Jungfraubahn AG has commissioned Garaventa with a total package of six ropeway installations - including four new installations and two renovations. With a total volume of almost CHF 70 million, this is the largest order package in the company's history to date.

Garaventa AG is a Swiss company headquartered in Rotkreuz, with additional sites in Goldau, Uetendorf and Sion. It is the Swiss branch of the Doppelmayr Group and has established itself as the competence center with international reach for reversible aerial tramway, funicular railway and material ropeway systems as well as for complex rope installation work. Garaventa is also responsible for all ropeway projects of the Doppelmayr Group in Switzerland. All functions and competencies for special ropeways are made available to the Group worldwide from Switzerland. Garaventa employs 380 people in Switzerland.

One highlight of the project is the planned TRI-Line cable car, which will run in two sections from Grindelwald railway station to First. This innovative system combines the strengths of the 3S system with the characteristics of the D-Line. It impresses with its high ride comfort, smooth running, energy efficiency, high wind stability and transport capacity. The TRI-Line also enables large rope spans, so that the route can be routed from Grindelwald station via Bort to First with just six supports.

The new installation will replace the existing First cable car, whose concession expires in 2034. Jungfraubahn AG opted for the variant from Fuhrenmatte Grindelwald to ensure a direct connection to public transport.

Equipped with around 70 cabins offering twelve seats and five additional standing places at peak times, the TRI-Line significantly increases transport capacity. This means that passenger flows can be better managed and waiting times at the stations reduced. Another advantage of the new system is the fully automatic transport of mountain cars.

In addition, the existing connection from First will be supplemented by a new gondola lift with 30 cabins for ten passengers each to the Schreckfeld junction. The construction of a four-seater Isch Bodmi chairlift is also part of the new construction project.

Renovation Projects in Lauterbrunnen and Wengernalp

In addition to the projects in Grindelwald, the order package includes the extensive conversion of the single-track Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp aerial tramway. Among other things, the vehicles and control system will be modernised. In addition, the Arvengarten-Eigergletscher 6-passenger chairlift will be given an increase in transport capacity with new canopy chairs and adjustments to the cable car control system.

"After the V-Cableway and the Schilthorn, this is the third time we have been able to realise Champions League projects in ropeway construction in the Bernese Oberland,“ says a delighted Raphael Reinle, Project Manager Sales at Garaventa. "This major order is an important milestone for our company and demonstrates the trust placed in our ropeway solutions“