Urban cable car for Fulda: Fast connection for 15.7 million euros!

Urban cable car for Fulda: Fast connection for 15.7 million euros!

Fulda, Deutschland - in Fulda something is happening! A group of students from the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences has worked out an exciting concept for an urban cable car. The proposal, which was created on the initiative of Mario Klotzsche, the district chairman of the FDP, could revolutionize mobility in the city. This cable car would enable a connection from the main train station to the university in just four minutes and could transport up to 1800 people per hour. This emerges from the plans, the [Fuldaer Zeitung] (https://www.fuldaerzeitung.de/fulda/persebelbahn- through-fulda-laut-laut-saetlich-moeglich-9374208.html).

are planned 35 ten-person cabins that are supposed to leave every 20 seconds. This connection could control important destinations, such as the clinic, the university and the inter -municipal industrial area of ​​Petersberg, Künzell and Fulda. However, the planning faces challenges: the route must take obstacles such as high -voltage lines and residential areas. In order to implement the project, investments of around 15.7 million euros are necessary, while the daily operating costs would be almost 18,000 euros

financial and social challenges

An interesting challenge is waiting: The income with regular driving operations is not enough to cover the running costs. In order to improve the amortization period, "soft factors" such as time savings and environmental benefit could be taken into account, which could reduce time to about 3.4 years. Klotzsche sees "many exciting starting points" in the results of the studies and suggests presenting the results publicly to involve the citizens.

The federal government could promote up to 75% of the costs. In view of these high eligible amounts, the question arises whether the population is willing to accept this innovative mobility project. In order to create trust here, the students suggest citizens' dialogues and social media campaigns that are intended to convince the population of the advantages of this cable car. If you compare Fulda with other cities, for example, Heilbronn is currently checking a cable car connection to an innovation park, which shows how high projects are currently in the course.

The background and the political framework

The Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMV) has already taken an important step in this direction. On November 30, 2022, it published the guideline "Urban cable cars in public transport", which is intended to help municipalities and transport companies implement such projects. In Germany there are currently few experiences with urban cable car systems, but Sebastian Beck from Drees & Sommer SE emphasizes that there is an urgent need for innovative solutions in view of overloaded roads and public transport. The guide not only offers technical orientation, but also illuminates social and political aspects, cost-benefit comparisons and possibilities of funding.

These developments and the entire discourse on urban cable cars show that innovative solutions are sought in Fulda and beyond to improve mobility in the cities of the future. It remains exciting how the citizens will decide on the next steps in this matter. If you want to learn more about the opportunities of urban cable cars, you will find further information on the pages BMV and Seilbahnen.de.