How much will it cost to build the cable car?
According to the current planning status, the construction of the cable car infrastructure will cost a good 66 million euros in total (net, including planning costs, price status 2019). The infrastructure costs were calculated separately for cable car technology, civil engineering/building construction and other equipment.
The total costs of 66 million euros include, among other things Cable car technology, civil engineering and structural engineering with foundations, access infrastructure and cable car buildings as well as planning costs. This also includes costs for the cabins, garages and monitoring rooms.
The majority of the investments can be subsidized via the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG). The city of Bonn would be left with an approximate own contribution of 11 million euros.
Due to the current early planning stage, the costs may still change in the further planning process.
Are the costs of different ropeway projects easily comparable?
No, because every ropeway project is unique: the surroundings, route, ropeway technology, position of the supports, architecture of the stations, etc. are never exactly the same. There is a consensus in the ropeway industry that ropeway projects can never be compared on a cost per kilometer basis - especially not with projects in other countries, as wage levels are different there. Different ropeway projects are only approximately comparable in terms of the infrastructure required.
How much will it cost to operate the cable car?
Part of a standardized assessment is a follow-up cost calculation. It shows the business side and thus the expected annual costs of the project for a potential operator. The financial impact is calculated here for a period of up to 30 years. If the cable car is built, the expected annual costs would be 800,000 euros in the short term, 1.1 million euros in the medium term and 2.1 million euros in the long term. The higher medium and long-term costs will result from the necessary maintenance and renovation measures. The follow-up costs, as well as the construction costs, will be updated in the further planning process and in consultation with the future operator(s).
Wouldn't it be better and cheaper to use more (e-)buses to the Venusberg instead of the cable car?
No, because according to the preliminary investigations, the cable car is the only adequate means of transportation for this high-demand area. By occupying a new level in the overall traffic, the cable car offers a fast connection without crossings, which adapts individually to the terrain and takes up little space.
The buses that currently travel to the hospital on the Venusberg are routed via the already busy access roads and are often stuck in traffic jams. Due to the existing residential development and the adjacent Kottenforst (nature reserve), it is not feasible to expand the roads sufficiently or to build a streetcar line, and therefore there is no alternative. It is therefore also not possible to compare the costs of purchasing new buses with the costs of the infrastructure for a cable car. Anyone who only mentions the acquisition costs of buses is already ignoring how much the city has to spend on maintaining the roads, for example.
Does the cable car benefit tourism?
Experience from other cities shows that day visitors and tourists see and use cable cars as an attraction in their own right - the beautiful view over the surrounding area alone offers a ride experience. In addition to tourists, congress visitors can also quickly get from the airport to the cable car in Beuel on the future S 13 and use it.
It can therefore be assumed that a cable car across the Rhine and up to the Venusberg will play an important role not only for the everyday lives of citizens, but also for tourism in Bonn.
The route connects interesting excursion destinations: In addition to the Rheinaue, destinations and activities on the Venusberg are attractive. The wooded part is largely under protection, ensuring that the nature there will continue to be preserved in the future and serve the local recreation of citizens, tourists and day visitors. The Venusberg is suitable for walking and hiking, cycling, skating and horse riding. The "Haus der Natur" would also benefit greatly from the cable car passengers. The local recreation area already offers a wildlife enclosure, geocaching trails, a barefoot path, vantage points with views of the Rhine Valley, an event venue and a riding stables.
The local recreation area on the Ennert, with its hiking trails and viewing platforms, is also very attractive from a tourist point of view and would be easy to reach by cable car.
The city assumes that existing tourist attractions will change and new ones will be created following the construction of a cable car. However, growth in tourism does not play a significant role in a standardized assessment. This procedure was developed for investments in local public transport and focuses on other figures.
Who bears the planning costs if the project is not realized in the end?
The previous planning costs were financed via the share of the lump sum to be used by the city for such tasks (Section 11 ÖPNVG NRW). This is a 100% subsidy from the state. Further planning costs, for example for external engineering services, would probably have to be borne by the city of Bonn. The planning and preparation costs are also eligible for funding to a certain extent.