{"id":91149,"date":"2025-09-03T08:05:43","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T06:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/?p=91149"},"modified":"2025-09-03T10:09:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T08:09:34","slug":"zurichs-rigiblick-funicular-a-major-upgrade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/si-urban-en\/topics-urban\/cities\/zurichs-rigiblick-funicular-a-major-upgrade\/","title":{"rendered":"Zurich&#8217;s Rigiblick funicular: A major upgrade"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 gradient-container-1 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#e2e2e2;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-first gradient-column-1\" style=\"width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 20px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-1 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last gradient-column-2\" style=\"width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">Following over 45 years of service, the Rigiblick Funicular is ready for the future: In August, Zurich Public Transport (VBZ) unveiled the new cabins.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">The new vehicles meet modern technical standards and comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. Finished in the blue and white livery of the VBZ, their design is inspired by the city&#8217;s latest trams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">Inside, the cabins offer more space, modern passenger information systems, and an overhead skylight\u2014inspired by the Rigiblick Theatre\u2014ensuring greater comfort and providing a unique, recognizable identity.<\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-2 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 image-wide-container gradient-container-2 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#e2e2e2;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-first gradient-column-3\" style=\"width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 20px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"cbp-headline cbp-1401330555\"><div class=\"custom-si is-underline text-right\"><H3>The new cabins <\/H3><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p style=\"text-align: right;\">offer more space and modern passenger information systems.<\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-3 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_5_6 5_6 fusion-five-sixth fusion-column-last gradient-column-4\" style=\"width:83.333333333333%;width:calc(83.333333333333% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.83333333333333 ) );margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"cbp-qcustomelement- cbp-409586847\"><div class=\"custom-si-image \"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/14097_1_gr.jpg\" \/><div class=\"copyright\">\u00a9 City of Zurich<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-4 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 gradient-container-3 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#e2e2e2;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-first gradient-column-5\" style=\"width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 20px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-5 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last gradient-column-6\" style=\"width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><h3>Technical Features<\/h3>\n<p>The cabin replacement also includes a full upgrade of the control system. The Rigiblick Funicular will operate fully automatically, feature three intermediate stations, handle gradients of up to 36%, and run daily from early morning until after midnight.<\/p>\n<p>An intensive testing phase will run until its reintroduction to service on September 26, 2025. During this period, the systems will be rigorously tested, staff will be trained, and operational procedures will be optimized to ensure the funicular returns to scheduled service on time and with full reliability.<\/p>\n<p>The Rigiblick Funicular operates in Zurich&#8217;s Oberstrass district, connecting the valley station on Universit\u00e4tsstrasse with the Rigiblick mountain station on Z\u00fcrichberg. It holds the distinction of being Switzerland&#8217;s first fully automated, licensed funicular with intermediate stops, serving a total of five stations.<\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-6 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 gradient-container-4 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 50px;margin-top: 50px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#e2e2e2;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-first gradient-column-7\" style=\"width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 20px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-7 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last gradient-column-8\" style=\"width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-0 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last si-technical-data\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\"><\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:25px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><span class=\"aNeGP0gI0B9AV8JaHPyH\" data-src-align=\"0:11\">Technical<\/span> <span class=\"aNeGP0gI0B9AV8JaHPyH\" data-src-align=\"12:6\">details:<\/span><\/h3><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\"><\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-center fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-four\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:25px;\"><h4 class=\"title-heading-center\" style=\"margin:0;\">The Rigiblick Funicular<\/h4><\/div>\n<div class=\"table-1\">\n<table width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Number of cabins<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">\u0421apacity<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">33 persons (including 8 seated)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Unladen weight<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">approx. 5.500 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Payload<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">approx. 2.475 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Drive motor<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">Three-phase motor 72.5 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Traction rope diameter<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">32 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Control modes<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">\u00a0automatic \/ manual<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Horizontal track length<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">372\u00a0m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Inclined track length<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">385\u00a0m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Elevation difference<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">94 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Average gradient<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">25.3 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Maximum gradient<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">approx. 36 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Gauge<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">1 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Travel speed (route)<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">5.0 m\/s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Passing speed (at passing section)<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">3.0 m\/s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Travel time<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">122 seconds (without intermediate stop)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Transport capacity<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">max. 720 persons per hour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Trips per day<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">160<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\">Passengers transported<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">700,000 (year 2024)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-8 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Rigiblick Funicular in Zurich (Switzerland) is undergoing a comprehensive renovation. It will receive new cabins, and the associated stations will also be modernized. According to the plan, the new railway will begin operation at the end of September 2025.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":603,"featured_media":91150,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[187],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91149"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/603"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91149"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91149\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":91166,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91149\/revisions\/91166"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91149"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}