The Future: Ride-hailing Gondolas
Over the last few years the urban gondola world has been excited to see the advancements in technology happening in the industry. The advantages that urban gondolas offer will soon bring even more “upside” to riders looking for transportation solutions in our cities.
The modern take on the standard ropeway system is known as an “urban super gondola” and these new systems will take our aerial transportation options to a whole new level.
Urban Supergondolas: A New Era in Aerial Transit
The field of next-generation urban supergondolas from industry leaders Doppelmayr and Batholet has expanded to include new innovators like uSky, Whoosh, and Zippar. Together these companies are boldly redefining conventional cable transit as a smart, on-demand mobility solution for cities. Unlike traditional urban gondolas, these new systems merge the low cost infrastructure of cableways with the flexibility of ride-hailing.
Key Differences - Traditional Gondolas vs Urban Supergondolas:
Other Urban Supergondola Attributes:
On-Demand Access: Riders summon cabins via app, like “Uber in the sky”
Continuous Flow: No fixed timetable - cabins are dispatched or waiting as needed
Low Footprint: Network requires minimal infrastructure, small towers & stations
Eco-Friendly: Fully electric, no emission, lower embodied carbon
Scalable: Can provide small connector routes or full city networks
Reduced Congestion: Travels above traffic, flexible infrastructure to fit in urban areas
Urban Supergondola Potential:
Urban supergondolas combine the convenience of ride-hailing with the efficiency of mass transit, offering cities a modular, cost-effective, and zero-emission transport option for the 21st century.
Examples:
| Feature | Traditional Gondola | Urban Supergondola |
| Rider Experience | Fixed cabin on a set route | On-demand, ride-hailing to anywhere on network |
| Cabins | Large group cabins | Smaller group or private |
| Route | Point-to-point lines | Flexible, scalable, branching networks |
| Control | Central operator-driven | Autonomous, self-driving |