Cable car over Fulda? SPD prefers to demand better bus connections!

Cable car over Fulda? SPD prefers to demand better bus connections!

In times when innovative traffic solutions are required, the FDP in Fulda suggests a brave project: a cable car that is supposed to bring customers from the train station to the university. Mario Klotzsche, the FDP district chairman, sees an exciting way to relieve public transport in the city. He receives support from Dr. Jürgen Follmann, professor at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, who has developed feasibility studies together with students on various routes. The studies confirm the technical implementability, but the conclusion is clear: the whole thing becomes expensive, as the [Fuldaer Zeitung] (https://www.fuldaerzeitung.de/fulda/gondel-spd-zum-thema-in-fulber-bus -statt-93788272.html) reports.

The SPD city association, however, is skeptical about the cable car idea. Instead of investing in an expensive gondola lift, the SPD calls for a well thought -out concept to improve the existing bus traffic. "We see an urgent need for action," emphasizes the party, referring to the slow implementation of the local transport plan. A better connection to national rail traffic is considered more sensible. In general, the SPD cable cars are not very expedient because they are intended for topographically challenging routes - and Fulda does not offer them, according to the unanimous opinion of the party members.

criticism of the cable car

The SPD city association is convinced that the cable car project has not a sufficient cost-benefit ratio. "The idea is too expensive, too short and brings too little use," explains a spokesman. Therefore, the SPD recommends not to pursue the project further, while new mobility ideas are not excluded. The party also points out the importance of a functioning, accepted public transport. This would be very important because bus traffic in Fulda is anything but optimal.

The background of urban cable cars

The topic of urban cable cars is a narrow burr in German transport policy. The Federal Minister of Digital and Transport has already published a guide to support cities and transport companies in the implementation of such projects. According to the BMV, rope lanes can be quickly implemented and can save space. They are also independent of the weather, which can be an advantage in urban areas.

Unfortunately, there are few practical experience in the field of urban cable cars in Germany, which is underlined by the lack of suitable projects in large cities. Sebastian Beck from Drees & Sommer SE emphasizes that in view of traffic jams, noise and emissions, urban cable cars should become increasingly important. But those responsible in Fulda do not seem to be convinced of this. First of all, the existing local transport must be optimized to prepare the citizens for the means of transport of the future.