The city of Cologne has taken the next step toward introducing modern urban mobility solutions. In March 2019, the City of Cologne tasked the Administrative Committee with examining the feasibility of a cable car system across the Rhine. The goal was to develop a preferred option, taking into account technical feasibility and passenger demand, to examine how it could be integrated into the city’s existing public transit network, and thereby to establish a suitable public transit connection between the right and left banks of the Rhine.

MRK Management Consultants GmbH was commissioned to provide technical and organizational consulting services to Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG (KVB). In addition to preparing, supporting, and following up on the bidding process, MRK was primarily responsible for reviewing and evaluating the content of the results provided by the contracted planning firm, as well as for facilitating and advising throughout the contracting process.

The study, prepared by external consultants and available since April 2023, confirms that the “Rheinpendel” cable car system could be a useful addition to Cologne’s public transportation network. The section between the Cologne Zoo in Riehl and the Deutz Harbor, in particular, was identified as especially promising.

First, various types of cable cars and cabin configurations were evaluated in order to subsequently select a preferred option. Based on this, a suitable operational plan was developed, an initial rough cost estimate was prepared, and funding opportunities from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the federal government were outlined. Based on the positive results of the investigation, the study recommends continuing the project and moving it into the next planning phase.

The City of Cologne is currently working on a strategic plan for the mobility transition, the “Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan” (SUMP). This plan aims to promote the urban transportation transition while taking sustainability into account. The “Rhine Commuter” project will be integrated as a key component into this target scenario and the corresponding development of measures. The administration recommends that the project be considered as part of the comprehensive transportation plan and incorporated into the overall strategy for expanding public transportation in Cologne.

MRK Management Consultants looks forward to continuing to support and guide innovative projects in the field of urban mobility in the future. Interested parties who would like to learn more about urban and tourist cable cars and their potential in public transportation are cordially invited to contact us for a no-obligation discussion.

Further information about the “Rhine Commuter” project and related plans can be found on the City of Cologne’s website and in its City Council Information System.