After study trips to South American cable car cities – including La Paz with its current eight cable car lines – investor Jonny Friedman has proposed a similar transport system in Durban, as “Berea Mail” reports.
Specifically, the urban developer has planned two lines, which – at 2.5 and three kilometres long – are short enough to be “viable, achievable and extendable.” Durban Point, the metropolis port, will be easier to reach by cable car and thus better connected to the city centre and South Beach.
This would also resolve the parking problems on Florida Road with the creation of 800 chargeable parking spaces on location. “Furthermore, the catering and retail trade on Florida Road would be able to generate more customers,” Friedman says.
As a cable car can transport people easily from one district to another, congestion on the roads is prevented. “Last but not least, the cable car would create more than 200 urgently needed jobs,” Friedman is confident.
The instigator is proposing collaboration between the private and the public sector. In the long term, the cable car should be self-sustaining but residents would initially need to become accustomed to the new mode of transport, by extensively testing it. “The pilot route must run where we are certain that it can be achieved.
In addition, it must be possible to extend the cable car quickly,” the urban developer says. As such, three publicly owned plots have already been provided for stations. “The direct connection between The Point, South Beach and Florida Road will open up countless possibilities and be able to transport thousands of people every day,” Friedman rejoices.
Rashiq Fataar, head of think tank “Our Future Cities and Future Durban”, is also convinced by the idea: “South American cities are showing us the way: innovative public spaces that are bringing about social change in society through infrastructure, such as by placing cable cars where they are most urgently needed.”
Cheryl Johnson from the community project “Save our Berea” also comments positively on the cable car idea: “All over the city, informal settlements have sprung up. Their residents must either walk or use expensive means of transport to reach distant work, school and leisure facilities.
An aerial cable car can bring people with low incomes into the city and to the beaches, reduce transport costs, and bring pleasure to the population.” The cable car would therefore improve the public space, contribute to the formation of a more inclusive society and improve quality of life.
