The urban cable car would have particularly positive effects on commuters. Around 10,000 jobs are located in the target area of the route. The facility would make it easier for the people of Biel/Bienne to commute between the lake, the train station, the city center, and the industrial zone.

A case study visualizes how the cable car can enhance and enliven the city. Within a travel time of fifteen minutes, the city center becomes accessible to everyone. With the Urban Zero project, Biel positions itself as a pioneer city in Switzerland.

The Urban Zero project team aims to get underway by 2030 – by that time, the gondolas should also be floating over Biel/Bienne.

Opportunities for urban development

Planned is a cable car for the city, measuring 4.9 kilometers, as well as an an overhead railway over the lake spanning 1.9 kilometers. As part of the project planning, solutions to increase green spaces within the city and promote biodiversity, for example, on facades or rooftops were also presented.

The cable car is just one of many measures aimed at improving the quality of life in Biel and reducing CO2 emissions. Another goal of the project is to foster social integration and inclusion of various cultures within the population.

Meeting zones in the city

Cable car stations offer the opportunity to act as meeting zones and create small centers within the urban space. The offerings in the stations can be diverse: from local suppliers to markets to bars and restaurants.

This creates new opportunities for urban development and social cohesion. According to the project team, however, the project is currently still in limbo.