International Transportation (67) 1 | 2015 43 Advertorial BEST PRACTICE Urban ropeways Less journey time and more travelling comfort while reducing environmental stress and traic jams In densly built up cities ropeways can be a smart solution to take on urban transport tasks. Ropeway projects are implemented rapidly, eiciently and cost-efectively even in small or diicultly accessible places. LEITNER ropeways carries out two projects in Mexico and Turkey. T he agglomeration of Mexico City, with around 22 million inhabitants, is one of the largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas in the world. Because the infrastructure has not grown at the same pace as the population, there is a desire in the Mexican capital for alternative, space-saving traic concepts. LEITNER ropeways is now constructing Mexico’s irst urban ropeways in the northern district of Ecatepec de Morelos. The irst urban ropeway project in-Mexico Two gondola lifts are running independently of one another and they are connected at one station where passengers can change lines. On the two stretches, which will be 2,900 and 1,800 meters long respectively, there will be a total of seven stops. The 10-passenger cabins will be overcoming a height diference of 55 and 62 meters. Up to 3,000 people an hour will be transported, for which the ropeways will be in operation 17-hours a day. The unique drive system called LEITNER DirectDrive, which functions without a gearbox, ofers signiicant advantages compared to other types of drives. It minimizes the ropeway’s down-time because of low wear and tear and a low risk of breakdown, which is a particularly important criterion for any kind of local public transport. For the inhabitants and visitors, this connection will mean a considerably easier and improved quality of life. While they have, until now, needed a good 45 minutes to cover this stretch they can inish the journey comfortably in just under 20 minutes. The ropeways will be directly connected to the public transport system. A spectacular major project in-Turkey The Uludağ Mountain range in the northwest of Turkey is a popular vacation destination. In summer it attracts visitors to the national park, while in winter it is home to one of Turkey’s largest ski resorts. Until a few months ago, the trip from the city of Bursa was a laborious afair, relying on a 50-year-old ropeway followed by a bus or taxi ride. The city of Bursa commissioned LEITNER ropeways to install the longest monocable gondola lift in the world, which has now made the journey considerably faster and more comfortable. Now guests are transported from Bursa to their inal destination within 22 minutes, on a ropeway boasting 139 cabins and 44 support towers. The valley station of the GD8 ropeway is located at 395 meters, while the top station is at almost 1,800 meters. Instead of traveling 35 kilometers by road, the gondola ropeway covers just nine kilometers and ofers panoramic views. Just a few months after the irst two sections opened, the new ropeway was already proving a huge success. From 7 June 2014 to the end of the year it carried around 520,000 passengers. Equally satisied with the project is Ilker Cumbul, CEO of Bursa Teleferik A.Ş. “The new ropeway now ofers a fast, comfortable and environmentally friendly connection up to Uludağ.” ■ Mexico’s irst urban ropeways in the northern district of Ecatepec de Morelos. Photo: LEITNER ropeways Ropeways from the city of Bursa to Uludağ Mountain range in Turkey. Photo: Oğulcan Yener MORE INFORMATION LEITNER AG / SpA Brennerstrasse 34 | Via Brennero, 34 39049 Sterzing / Vipiteno (I) Tel. +39 0472 722 111 Fax +39 0472 724 111 info@leitner-ropeways.com www.leitner-ropeways.com