Urban cable cars: Green transportation solutions in modern cities

In the context of rapid urbanization and pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many cities around the world are looking to urban cable cars as a sustainable transportation solution. Not only does this system help reduce congestion, it also contributes to improving air quality and connecting hard-to-reach areas.

Urban cable cars - an ideal transportation solution for complex terrain, effectively connecting residential areas and the city center. (Source: EEJCC)

La Paz and Medellín: Two pioneering models

La Paz (Bolivia) now has the world's largest urban cable car network with 10 lines over 30 km long, carrying around 300,000 passengers a day and having served over 200 million passengers since its opening in 2014. The Mi Teleférico system reduces travel time between La Paz and El Alto from over an hour to around 20 minutes, while significantly cutting emissions from buses and private cars.

In Medellín (Colombia), the Metrocable project was launched in 2004 with the aim of not only improving transportation but also promoting social inclusion. Cable car lines connect poor mountainous areas with the city center, helping residents access jobs and public services. Medellín currently has 5 Metrocable lines, serving tens of thousands of passengers every day; the first line alone has a capacity of about 30,000 passengers/day. Professor Julio Dávila (University of London) commented: “The Metrocable has become a symbol of urban renewal, bringing public transport to places that were once isolated.”

A cable car line in La Paz, Bolivia. (Source: EEJCC)

The main reason why La Paz, Medellín and many other cities are deploying cable cars is because of the complex terrain: residential areas are located on mountain slopes, narrow roads, steep slopes, difficult to build metro or road. According to the World Bank report, cable cars are an effective solution for high-density urban areas and mountainous terrain, because the construction cost is lower than metro (19–32 million USD/km) and the deployment time is fast (about 2 years).

Expert Morten Flesser (Technical University of Braunschweig) said: “Urban cable cars are not a solution for everywhere, but in cities with complex terrain and high density, they are a strategic choice to reduce congestion and emissions.”

Environmental benefits and implementation challenges

Surveys in Medellín and Bogotá found that residents valued reduced travel times, safety, and comfort. A study in Bogotá found that expectations for reduced pollution were not fully met, but overall satisfaction was high due to improvements in quality of life and social connections. In La Paz, the Mi Teleférico system is considered the “backbone” of public transportation, with steady usage and good integration with buses and taxis.

An urban cable car station in La Paz, Bolivia. (Source: EEJCC)

According to UITP, urban cable cars have the lowest CO₂ emissions of any public transport mode, at around 44 g/km per passenger, compared to 144 g/km for cars. The system is electric and can be powered by renewable energy sources, reducing air pollution and noise.

However, challenges remain: initial investment costs, community acceptance and the need to integrate with existing transport networks. Several projects in Mexico City and Santo Domingo have shown that combining cable cars with metro and buses is a key factor in success.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/cap-tréo-do-thi-giai-phap-xanh-hoa-giao-thong-trong-cac-thanh-pho-hien-dai-5061305.html