Urban Gondola Examples

Urban gondolas are transforming city transportation with their affordability, safety, and ability to overcome challenging terrain. Here's a look at some of the most successful systems worldwide, along with exciting future developments.

  • Medellín, Colombia – Metrocable:

    • Launched: 2004

    • Network: 6 lines integrated with the metro system

    • Impact: Connected low-income hillside communities, reduced travel times by up to 75%, and contributed to a dramatic drop in crime.

    • Ridership: Over 200 million passengers with a strong safety record.

  • La Paz–El Alto, Bolivia – Mi Teleférico:

    • Launched: 2014

    • Network: 10 lines, over 30 km—the largest urban gondola system in the world

    • Impact: Provides fast, affordable transport in steep terrain. It is the city’s main transit backbone. It boasts a reliability rate of 99.9%

    • Ridership: Mi Teleférico moves over 300,000 daily users, 99.9% reliability

  • Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Teleférico de Santo Domingo:

    • Launched: 2018

    • Network: Part of the national public transit network

    • Impact: Reduced travel time for thousands in underserved neighborhoods, cut carbon emissions, and eased congestion

    • Ridership: Tens of thousands daily with plans to expand

New Urban Gondola Projects:

  • Los Angeles, USA – Dodger Stadium Gondola:

    • Planned Opening: Targeting before the 2028 Summer Olympics

    • Route: Union Station to Dodger Stadium (~1.2 miles)

    • Purpose: Relieve game-day traffic, offer zero-emission transport for up to 5,000 people per hour in each direction.

    • Developer: Zero Emissions Transit (ZET) in partnership with LA Metro

    • Status: Environmental review process completed; community outreach ongoing.

  • Paris, France – Cable 1 (Câble A):

    • Planned Opening: 2025

    • Route: Créteil to Villeneuve-Saint-Georges (4.5 km, 5 stations)

    • Purpose: Connect underserved suburbs to metro and RER networks; reduce reliance on cars in congested areas. Up to 1,600 passengers/hour.

    • Operator: Île-de-France Mobilités

    • Status: Construction underway, part of the Grand Paris transport vision.

The Takeaway:

Urban gondolas have moved beyond novelty to become essential transit tools in modern cities. They offer affordable, clean, and reliable mobility, especially in hilly or congested areas. With Los Angeles and Paris joining the movement, the urban gondola is poised to play a growing role in future-ready transport networks.

Learn more about our vision for urban gondolas.