Cities, SI Urban 2/2021
Pereira – Poma eröffnet ,,Megacable”
Pereira is the capital of the Risaralda department. It has a population of more than 1 million people living in the city’s metropolitan area. The “Megacable” from POMA has now become part of the public transport system, expanding the network and improving the quality of life for residents.
It was officially opened on 30th August 2021.
A fast & efficient mode of transport
The Megacable is the first route in the city that will connect the city centre to the transport terminal (intercity bus station), the university campus and the district of Villa Santana in just 14 minutes – a journey that previously took more than 45 minutes and involved numerous changes.
At almost 3.4 km the Megacable is the longest urban ropeway in Colombia and will serve over 60,000 people. Thanks to its four stations in the heart of the city and its proximity to major transport routes, passengers will be able to move around with ease and no longer have to worry about congested road traffic.
One of the intermediate stations serves the university campus; the other is situated next to the intercity bus station. This connection with the city’s Megabús transport network means that passengers can enjoy a seamless journey through the busy urban environment.
Blending into the urban setting
With this 10-seater urban cable car, the city authorities in Pereira have opted for an efficient and sustainable transport system. The 50 gondolas move along a cable with a single power source located at Olaya station.
The direct drive engine is clean and innovative, reducing the carbon footprint and minimising noise levels for passengers and local residents alike. The Pereira line is a good example of the new possibilities with urban aerial ropeways, meeting the challenge of spanning urban divides rather than just climbing slopes.
Its horizontal, flat layout and minimal number of line structures ensure that it blends in with the urban landscape. Built in the heart of the city, the four stations are fine examples of urban integration.
The city authorities wanted to involve residents in the process of choosing the architectural design and visual appearance of the stations. These have become local landmarks, such as “Terminal” station, which proudly displays its colours on a 35-metre-high building.
POMA strong in Latin America
The Megacable is only one of a cluster of urban transport infrastructure projects from POMA that will bring significant social benefits in Latin America and greatly enhance mobility through the use of sustainable, state- of-the-art technology.
In Mexico City in August 2021, for example, LEITNER-POMA opened Cablebús 2, the longest cable car line in Latin America (find out more on pages 14-15 of this issue).
In Medellín, the sixth “Línea P” cable car line has been in operation since June 2021. This 2,700-metre line from POMA has four stations and provides a connection to the city centre for the 200,000 residents of northwest Medellín.
At the end of 2020, a four-kilometre cable car from POMA opened in neighbouring Ecuador. This connects the cities Guayaquil and Duran via five intermediate stations (find out more in SI Urban 2/2019).
The next project in Latin America will be the second cable car line in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic). This cable car will operate over a total of 11 kilometres and, via six intermediate stations, connect the town of Los Alcarrizos with Duarte Road. Photo: POMA ts
