Not only was the completion three years ago a major step for the Swiss company; the new connection also represented a major enhancement for the business and residential area of Vadistanbul (Turkey). Right from the outset, the district that had been created was intended to exude a high quality of living, which is why mobility was a key factor in the success of the two-billion-euro project.

Like so many cities, Istanbul is also grappling with a rising volume of traffic. Public transport services in particular are therefore becoming increasingly popular and a universal Istanbul Card (for all public transport) makes them easy to use, even for people who are not familiar with the city.

In total there are three funiculars in Turkey, all of which are located in Istanbul. The special thing about the Vadistanbul Skyrail is that the majority of the route runs above ground. Because of this, the carriages from BARTHOLET have been fitted with large glass windows, which allow passengers a beautiful view of the surroundings during the three-minute journey.

The facility links two central and much visited locations, the football stadium and the shopping centre, which is why a fast, convenient and reliable connection had to be created specifically here.

Another demand was intermodality, as the funicular was also intended to be integrated with the existing metro. This made the cabling on the route particularly challenging. There were curves, ascents and descents to be negotiated. The popularity of the route also means that the issues of durability and maintenance are key points. The facility operates every day from 06.00 to 20.00 and is popular with commuters and tourists alike.

In addition to a high level of passenger comfort, the BARTHOLET system must also guarantee low-maintenance operation. The route is largely on a single track, with the exception of a short 147 m dual-track section in the middle, which enables the trains to pass one another. The total construction cost of the route was € 15 m.