Two Romanian cities invited to apply for EU funded cable car public transport system

Romanian capital Bucharest could get its own cable car transport system, carrying people around the city above the busy streets.

Bucharest was invited by British Overland Transport Systems to apply for EU funds for the scheme, along with three other regional cities, Cluj-Napoca in Romania, Budapest in Hungary and Chisnau in the Republic of Moldova. Romania would thus take part in the Overland Transport Systems’ project for suspended transport systems.

The project would initially construct 10 km of cable car routes. The cable cars themselves will be able to carry up to four people, or fewer and wheelchair, with a maximum weight rating of 400 kg. The new cable cars will be pretty nippy, traveling at speeds of up to 50 km/h, according to Mediafax, and will be able to transport some 5,000 people per hour in each direction.

The system will be modern and safe according to the draft resolution, with cars moving at 10 meter intervals, each with heating, air-conditioning and video surveillance cameras. Destinations will be chosen via touchscreen or voice recognition software.

If constructed, the cable car system would follow and compliment Bucharest’s existing transport network, providing further connections and integration for the city’s public transport.

The next step is for Bucharest’s General Council to decide whether to pursue the draft proposal, scheduled for Friday, April 26. If the scheme gets the OK from the councilors, Bucharest will apply for EU funds, with a decision coming in June this year. No details on the cost of the project or a theoretical completion date have been released.

Adapted from Romania-Insider