Metrocable
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Metrocable | |
 |
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|---|---|
| Info | |
| Type | Aerial tramway |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Medellín, Colombia |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 2006 |
| Operator(s) | Metro de Medellín |
| Character | Elevated |
| Technical | |
| Electrification | Electric motor powering cable bullwheel |
| Operating speed | 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) |
| Highest elevation | 399 m (1,310 ft) |
Metrocable is an aerial tramway system implemented by the local government of Medellín, Colombia whose main function is to be a complementary service of Medellín's Metro. It is intended to reach the least developed suburban areas.
Medellín is a city located in the Aburra Valley and it is therefore surrounded by hills. Many of those hills are home of underdeveloped towns that because of their location have not been reached by Medellín's biggest mass transportation system Metro. Many of those towns are in fact located in very steep grounds to the extent that not even a regular bus system could be either useful or commercially profitable.
The Metrocable system is a branch of Medellín's metro and it is managed by the company Metro of Medellín. The system consists of cable cars connected to a fixed cable through means of a rolling wheel (called truck). The wheels roll on the haulage rope allowing the cabins to move at an average speed of 10 miles per hour (16 km/h).
At the present time two lines have been built, the line J and line K. These lines currently serve the districts of Andalucia (K), Popular (K), Santo Domingo Savio (K), Juan XXIII (J), Vallejuelos (J) and La Aurora (J). The system has been received with enthusiasm by the locals.
A new "Metro Cable" line (line S) is expected to be inaugurated in 2009. A transference station will be built at Santo Domingo Savio Station. This line will continue further uphill and will reach El Tambo in Arví park near Guarne. The reason for constructing this line is because the city wants to promote tourism in the rural area near Lake Guarne. It will take 14 minutes to ascend to El Tambo and there won't be any intermediate stations.
Aerial tramways are not often used as mass transportation system, although they can be used as such. A good example of this system are the many cable cars in skiing regions, Roosevelt Island Tramway in New York or the Cable Car to Buddha's world largest statue on Lantau Island, Hong Kong.
One of the disadvantages of trams are the risk inherent to power outages. In case of a hazard or an emergency it is not possible to exit the cabins. Medellín metro is approaching this problem by providing a communication system in every tram should an emergency occur.
