Ropeways in Germany are still mostly used for tourism, but plans for the rope-drawn transport system as a public transport participant are also emerging with increasing frequency. This is also the case in the Rhein-Neckar metropolitan region. Here Volkhard Malik, Managing Director of the Rhine-Neckar Transport Association (VRN), could imagine such a connection between Heidelberg and Ludwigshafen.
A cable car is perfect for overcoming obstacles, and since rivers often have to be crossed in this region, a cable car could be just right here. For this reason, the Rhine-Neckar transport association has also commissioned a potential and feasibility study. Malik expects a result by the middle of the year.

Challenges

Cable cars have a long history as a mass transport system in the mountains. Malik sees no problem in the introduction of the system or in the transport capacity. The transport capacity can be adapted to the respective situation through the cabin sizes as well as the number of cabins used. The only challenge he sees is the construction of the stations. The stations have to be visually and functionally integrated into the urban infrastructure. In order for the cable car to be accepted and used as a public transport system, Malik believes it is necessary to completely integrate the urban cable car into the existing VRN network. Timetables and fares must be coordinated to prevent the cable car from becoming disconnected from the other transport systems.

Hopes for BUGA 2023

Like many garden shows before it, the Federal Garden Show 2023 will also rely on a cableway. This will provide a temporary connection between the Luispark and the Spinelli grounds. Malik sees great potential for the “new” urban system in this event. Up to now, there has usually been a great deal of rejection of a cable car among the population, but the BUGA could get local residents used to the system and perhaps, as has already happened in Berlin, give them a taste for it. (Note: Here, the actually temporary cable car was kept after the international garden exhibition and is now part of the transport network).