- Translink received over 10,000 survey responses for the proposed Burnaby Mountain Gondola in Canada. They are currently evaluating the responses to ultimately select one of three gondola routes. The system is expected to see 25,000 trips daily with a queue time of one minute. The estimated cost of the gondola would be approximately $197 million, which is cheaper than operating the current 145 bus routes. See a related Weekly Roundup here. SCJ Alliance, the parent company of the Gondola Project, is part of this project.
- The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA) evaluated the latest transit technology for Tampa Bay. From hyperloop capsules, to air taxis jets, to gondolas, TBARTA looked at potential methods and routes for connecting local areas. On the gondola front, during the presentation basic information was presented about cable-propelled transit (CPT) systems by SCJ Alliance. Of the three technologies looked at, CPT systems are the only option currently used for public transit. Check out the study, Innovative Transit Technologies, on TBARTA’s website.
- A proposed gondola connecting to the Hollywood Sign is receiving push back from locals. The system was suggested to relieve congestion in residential areas near the sign, but many people view the gondola as more of a tourist attraction than a traffic mitigation. A tram to the sign has been proposed a number of times dating back to the 1940’s. Each proposal failed due to lack of funding or community support. People currently open to the idea are more supportive of the Warner Bros. route. Out of the four proposed routes, the Warner Bros. option is the only one that would be privately funded and operated.
- Alberta ski resorts are finalizing their COVID-19 safety plans for the upcoming winter season. Basic guidelines have been generated by provincial health authorities in Alberta and British Columbia and ski resorts. Every resort has a different plan. For example, some resorts are cutting back capacity from 26,000 skiers to 6,000, while other resorts are keeping gondola capacities the same but opening all the windows.