Map of 5 new cable cars. Image from La-Razon.
It appears that 3 cable car lines in La Paz-El Alto weren’t enough to solve the transportation challenges in the Bolivian capital. This week, President Morales, has announced plans for the second phase of the city’s Cable Propelled Transit (CPT) network.
And this time around, the project is even more ambitious and more grandiose than the last. Five cable car lines will be implemented with a total cost of USD $450 million! That’s nearly two times the amount that was invested in the first phase.
It is still uncertain where the financing will come from nor when work will begin, but there is evidence to suggest that some costs will be covered via profits generated by the initial cable car lines.
The new Line 1 seems to be a westbound extension of the new Linea Roja (Line Red) with several stations throughout El Alto. The new Line 2 appears to be an east-west stand-alone line that is not connected to any other CPT system.
Line 3 seems to be an extension of Linea Roja once again. However, this time in an eastbound direction before it makes a southbound turn — which thereafter, the line effectively becomes the new Line 4.
Lastly, Line 5 appears to be an extension of Linea Verde (Line Green) with its terminus in the Cota Cota neighbourhood.
If somehow this entire proposal is fully built, La Paz will firmly cement its position as the undisputed world capital of cable cars.
And as always, we’ll be sure to keep you up to date with any new developments.