Bolivia announces cable car system expansion

Bolivia will invest US$450mn to expand its cable car system, improving connectivity between La Paz and El Alto cities, said President Evo Morales.

Cable cars have started gaining momentum in Bolivia, springing up in cities across the country.

Most recently the cable car system connecting capital La Paz with neighboring El Alto city kicked off initial operations. The project was carried out by Austrian firm Doppelmayr. When all three lines are completed, it is set to be the largest mass transport cable car system in the world, with an estimated capacity of 18,000 passengers/hour.

Bolivia has also launched a tender for the construction of a system in Potosí to be used for both tourism and mass transportation purposes, and plans to build its third cable car system in Oruro city.

"We've heard La Paz residents' requests about a second phase and I want to tell all of them that we've already projected this second phase," Morales said.

The La Paz cable car second phase will have four stretches, improving connections between the north, north-east and south of La Paz and El Alta.

Morales did not disclose further details.