Mexico fights traffic problems with floating gondolas

Mexico fights traffic problems with floating gondolas

Mexicable cable cars travel above neighbourhoods in Ecatepec, Mexico on Tuesday. (Bloomberg photo)
Mexicable cable cars travel above neighbourhoods in Ecatepec, Mexico on Tuesday. (Bloomberg photo)

MEXICO CITY: Mexico's first aerial gondola for public transportation will sweep riders from poor neighbourhoods over suburban sprawl outside the country's capital and connect them with other public transport.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto attended the inauguration of the so-called "Mexicable'' in Mexico state's Ecatapec on Tuesday.

Ecatapec has more than 1.7 million residents and has struggled to expand infrastructure to keep up with the growing population.

Officials expect the aerial lift to ferry 29,000 passengers daily between seven stations. Each ride costs about 30 cents. From end to end the ride will take 17 minutes compared to 40 minutes using ground transportation.

Each car can carry up to 10 people over the five-kilometre (three-mile) trajectory.

The project joins similar ones in Medellin, Colombia, Rio de Janeiro and Caracas, Venezuela.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (1)