Connection between Beuel and Venusberg Experts give positive assessment of cable car plans for Bonn
Bonn · An engineering office has examined the economic benefits of a cable car in Bonn, which leads from Beuel over the Rhine to the Venusberg - and has come to a positive conclusion. According to this, a 90 percent state subsidy for the construction would be possible.
According to initial calculations by the engineering office Spiekermann from Düsseldorf, the construction of a cable car to the Venusberg would be economically viable and thus eligible for funding by the state of NRW. The engineers have summarised their assessment in a progress report, which is on the agenda of the planning committee this Wednesday. Michael Faber, head of the left-wing faction in the city council, however, criticises the lack of reliable figures in the course of the publication in the city council information system in order to be able to further the discussion of a possible cable car construction, which is controversial among some citizens and supported by nine transport and environmental associations. "Contrary to earlier announcements, the administration is leaving the further details on this in the dark and justifying this with ongoing consultations with the state", Faber remarked.
In fact, the report lacks the expected costs on the one hand and the figures on potential users on the other. In its draft notice, the administration states that in the formal coordination process with the main sponsor, i.e. the state, "all the data determined and assumptions made, particularly with regard to the new cableway system, are checked and coordinated by the sponsor". According to the Spiekermann report, the positive assessment is based on a "simplified cost-benefit study". However, this initial analysis is based on the specifications for a standardised procedure. The office therefore aligns its calculations with the requirements of the NRW Transport Ministry. However, a standardized assessment will only be made when detailed questions have been clarified after further meetings with the Ministry. Spiekermann has taken a closer look at a 4260-metre-long monocable orbit from Schießbergweg on the right bank of the Rhine via the stations Rheinaue, UN Campus, Hindenburgplatz to the University Hospital. The individual cabins, which can also accommodate bicycles or wheelchairs, are suspended from a circulating rope, and are uncoupled at the stops to allow passengers to get on and off.
Three years ago, following a political decision by a large majority, an initial feasibility study was published that examined five variants. In the case of the variant now being examined by Spiekermann, the expert concluded that a cable car, which according to the current state of affairs would probably be operated by the municipal utilities, would significantly relieve car traffic on the access roads to the university hospital. The cable car is to be included in the local public transport plan. Anyone with a valid VRS ticket could travel on it. This would be the only way to obtain up to 90 percent funding for investment costs, a double-digit million euro amount. The annual operating costs would be in the single-digit million range, according to the study at the time. The left-wing faction is demanding that the city provide detailed information on the new results and name the investment and annual operating costs determined.
(Original text: Philip Königs; Translation: Mareike Graepel)
