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Garaventa modernises Zurich’s Rigiblick urban ropeway

The Rigiblick funicular is not only a Zurich landmark, but also an integral part of theZurich public transport network (VBZ). Garaventa has comprehensively modernised the120-year-old ropeway on behalf of VBZ. The focus was on new vehicles, moderntechnology and greater comfort for passengers.The new vehicles* can accommodate 33 people instead of the previous 30, are around 80 cmlonger than their predecessors and are deliberately designed to resemble a Zurich Flexity tram.Both vehicles are unique, as they were constructed as mirror images and are therefore notidentical in design. One design element in the interior is the illuminated rings at both ends of thevehicle ceilings. On the mountain side, the illuminated ring frames a round skylight window thatbrings additional daylight into the interior of the vehicle. Together with the raised wooden seatingarea on the mountain side, this is reminiscent of a theatre stage – a tribute to the RigiblickTheatre. Large panoramic windows extending to the floor create a bright, open atmosphere allaround.In addition to the vehicles, the entire electrical control system was also replaced. During thecourse of the work, the brake hydraulics were also converted, all bearings on the drive anddeflection wheels and the rope compensation system were replaced, and the reconditioned motorand gearbox were integrated. Chassis with low-noise plastic wheels reduce noise emissions inurban areas as much as possible. A new 32 mm diameter Performa haul rope from Fatzer alsoensures low-vibration and quiet operation – ideal for the cable car's approximately 160 daily trips.More comfort and accessibilityThe modernisation will also ensure that the funicular railway complies with the requirements of theDisability Discrimination Act (DDA). Wide doors and an optimised interior design create morespace and facilitate barrier-free access and passenger flow. “The Rigiblick funicular railway is animportant part of Zurich's local transport system. With the modernisation, we are ensuring that itcan be used reliably and barrier-free in the future,” says Ueli Sutter, Sales Project Manager atGaraventa.The Rigiblick funicular was opened in 1901 and extensively renovated in 1978/79. It is consideredthe first fully automatic, licensed funicular with intermediate stations in Switzerland. Fullyautomatic means that the railway operates according to a timetable and without accompanyingpersonnel on site: control, monitoring and safety systems run continuously and are centrallycontrolled, while operating personnel can intervene in the background if necessary. The funicularusually runs from early morning until midnight at short intervals, is optimally integrated into theZürcher Verkehrsbund (ZVV) public transport system and reliably transports 700,000 passengersper year. The cable car has been back in operation since Friday, 26 September 2025.* Created in collaboration with VBZ, CWA and Milani Design & Consulting AG33-FUL Zürich Rigiblick, Zürich (CHE)Images: Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ)Inclined length: 385 mVertical rise: 95 mCapacity: 720 P/hSpeed: 5 m/sOpened: 09/2025

 Fonte https://www.doppelmayr.com
 reporter: Ram-Brand
Categoria: Lifts under construction and projects
Data: 9 oct. 2025, 21:34:06