Whether in Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Fribourg, Solothurn, or Lucerne-Kriens: there have been many ideas for urban ropeways in Switzerland, but unfortunately, most projects have failed to progress or have been definitively scrapped.

The biggest hurdle so far has usually been the consent of landowners, as Ueli Stückelberger, Director of the Swiss Public Transport Association (VÖV), pointed out to SI Urban back in 2021: “Landowners block many projects. And even if they agree, there are bound to be neighbors who oppose it.“

Many Swiss citizens are convinced that a ropeway would disturb their privacy, mar the landscape, and cause noise. Furthermore, the practical sense of such a transport solution is often questioned.

“The pressure of suffering is too low. In Switzerland, compared to other countries, we have enough financial resources to opt for more expensive alternatives, such as a tramway or a road tunnel. We would rather accept higher costs than argue over an urban ropeway,“ says Stückelberger.

Despite this – as of 2026 – there are several ropeway plans that are progressing promisingly. Here is an overview: from rough ideas to advanced projects.

Vision “Zeropolis“ in Biel

The ropeway project in Biel is still at the vision stage. The system is intended to connect the city center, the lake, and the town, while creating communal spaces. The urban ropeway would have a particularly positive impact on commuters; around 10,000 jobs are located in the target area of the route.

The system would make it easier for residents to commute between the lake, the train station, the center, and the industrial zone. Plans include a 4.9-km city ropeway and a 1.9-km elevated railway over the lake.

The city center would be accessible to everyone within a fifteen-minute travel time. The project team behind “Zeropolis“ aims to gain momentum by 2030 – the horizon by which gondolas should be floating over Biel.

Baselland evaluates ropeways

Traffic jams on the motorway and congested roads: in “Baselbiet“ – the canton surrounding the major Swiss city of Basel – this is a daily reality for commuters.

Gondola lifts integrated into the public transport network are intended to provide relief. As reported by Swiss Radio and Television (SRF), the Cantonal Council passed a proposal by Manuel Ballmer (GLP) with a significant majority at the end of 2025.

Ballmer spoke of a “visionary idea“ that triggered a surprisingly high level of resonance. Possible lines could serve the Pratteln area or even cross the Rhine into Germany.

High-altitude ropeway

Plans in the neighboring canton of Aargau are significantly more concrete. In the Sisslerfeld industrial area, a high-altitude ropeway crossing the Rhine is being discussed.

With two large stations on either side of the river, the facility could be an ideal solution for developing the roughly 200-hectare industrial zone, of which 85 hectares remain undeveloped.

By 2040, up to 10,000 new jobs could be created there, and the ropeway would offer an efficient and environmentally friendly transport solution. The cantonal parliament (the Grosser Rat of Aargau) has referred a corresponding postulate to the government.

As part of an overall transport concept for the Frick-Stein-Laufenburg region, the government now intends to examine whether a ropeway is indeed a viable solution compared to other measures, such as expanding bus services or adding a new S-Bahn stop.

Zoo ropeway in the waiting room

And then there is the dream of the Zurich Zoo, which has been a topic of conversation in Switzerland‘s largest city for quite some time: the ropeway. A gondola lift is planned to run from Stettbach station to just outside the main entrance of the zoo on the Zürichberg.

The key data: 2.1 kilometers long, 11 towers, 44 gondolas with 10 seats each, and a 7-minute travel time. In 2025, the Federal Court rejected initial appeals, though others are still pending. For now, the initiators can do nothing but wait for the rulings.

Lucerne makes great strides

The situation looks much better in Lucerne. As already reported, an initiative there is pushing for the construction of an urban ropeway. The concept relies on an innovative combination of above-ground and underground sections and aims primarily to solve the tourist bus problem.

A direct connection between an above-ground parking garage and the city center is planned. According to the concept, the “CityLink“ will serve Lucerne‘s city center, the cantonal hospital, and the Ibach industrial area. It consists of two sections, each approximately one kilometer long.

The centerpiece would be the world‘s longest ropeway tunnel (one kilometer), designed to bypass many time-consuming legal objections. As the portal “Blick“ reported in late 2025, a feasibility study confirms its technical viability.

The project will go to a public vote in November 2026. Implementation is slated for 2033 and is expected to be privately financed at a cost of 150 to 190 million Swiss francs.