Of the routes examined in the feasibility study, the so-called "northern route" proved to be the most suitable - due to the highest passenger potential and the best connection in the entire public transport system. In addition, the route is aligned with existing roads wherever possible.

The route has a length of around 4300 meters and passengers can get on and off at five stations:

• Schießbergweg/Ramersdorf
• Rheinaue
• UN Campus
• Loki-Schmidt-Platz
• University Hospital West

Most of the planned 34 columns will be located in public spaces and will be more than 28 meters high on average. At around 50 meters, the tallest column will be located on the Venusberg at the hospital.

At the current planning stage, it is roughly clear where the supports will be located, but the exact positions can only be determined once a cable car manufacturer has been selected. The appearance of the stations is also only part of the future plans.

The current route in the current planning is shown in more detail in the following map. This planning was the basis for the standardized assessment.  Cable car expert Florian Schweiger (opens in a new tab)(Ingenieurbüro Schweiger) presented and explained his findings to the Mobility and Transport Committee in November 2021. As this plan and the colors used in it are not self-explanatory, a further document contains explanations:

Engineer Schweiger had also shown the committee members a longitudinal section that visualizes the course of the road in height.

The cable car is to run between Schießbergweg/Ramersdorf via the Bundesviertel up to the Venusberg with the university hospital. After a comprehensive system review, only one type of cable car is ideal for this route: a single-cable circulating cable car with 10-passenger cabins, which several manufacturers offer. This system is used in many cities around the world, as it requires narrower supports and smaller operating facilities compared to other systems.

One cable car system will connect the Venusberg with the valley, while a second will run from the UN Campus over the Rhine. Passengers will not feel the transition between the two systems and will not have to change trains, as the cabins are automatically transferred from one system to the other.

• 95 cabins will reach the stations at intervals of approx. 20 to 24 seconds.
• Each cabin is approved for 10 passengers. The seats can be folded up so that there is also enough space for wheelchairs, walking aids, baby carriages and bicycles.
• The total journey time is less than 20 minutes.
• 1500 to 1800 people can travel per hour and per direction.
• The cabins are designed in such a way that a direct view downwards is prevented to protect privacy. This can be ensured by the design, the arrangement of the windows and also technically.

In December 2021, the Bonn City Council decided to send the cable car to the next round: The project is to be included in the local public transport requirements plan (Öffentlicher Personennahverkehr) and the local public transport infrastructure financing plan of the state of NRW so that the city can apply for funding for it at a later date. The Regional Council and NRW Transport Committee have now decided to include the project. The city can therefore apply for substantial funding for the cable car following the  planning approval procedure.

If the Cologne district government approves the project with a so-called planning approval decision, i.e. grants the right to build, then the result of the  standardized assessment is reviewed and updated once again. The city can then submit a funding application to the Rhineland Transport Association (NVR) and funding can flow.