The debate over a cable car to Gaisberg in Salzburg, Austria, is not new: politicians are concerned about traffic chaos on the mountain near the city center. According to ORF, 1.2 million people visit Gaisberg each year, 650,000 of them by car.

For this reason, the state has examined which traffic restrictions on the mountain road would be feasible.

As the report cited by ORF shows, a toll would be possible, whether the state operates the road itself or transfers it to a private company. Road closures and driving bans, on the other hand, are legally problematic.

At the same time, it is noted that driving bans might be feasible, especially if a cable car from Koppl-Guggenthal to Salzburg’s local mountain is implemented in parallel.

Supporters

According to the state’s transport officer, Deputy Governor Stefan Schnöll (ÖVP), traffic restrictions on Gaisberg are not an option without a cable car.

Deputy Mayor of the city of Salzburg, Florian Kreibich (ÖVP), also considers the implementation of the Gaisberg cable car within the next five years realistic, citing private financing.

“Another positive aspect of the cable car project is that it would make it easier to create a downhill route on Gaisberg, as a path could be established close to the cable car line,” the politician told MeinBezirk.

Opponents

The Greens and the Citizens’ List oppose the cable car. According to the Citizens’ List transport spokesperson, Lukas Bernitz, linking traffic restrictions on Gaisberg to the construction of a “completely unnecessary cable car” is politically transparent and is clearly rejected by the list.

He emphasizes that Gaisberg is a recreational area and “not a place for investors’ fantasies.” According to Bernitz, the Gaisberg bus already provides an excellent alternative to private cars, which should be further developed.

MeinBezirk also quotes the Greens: “Anyone who seriously wants traffic calming must strengthen the Gaisberg bus and not chase after an oversized investor project.”