Lugano Città–Stazione funicular
| Lugano Città–Stazione funicular | |
|---|---|
|
Both cars at the passing loop | |
| Technical | |
| Track length | 220 metres (720 ft) |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) |
| Maximum incline | 25.3% |
The Lugano Città–Stazione funicular, or Funicolare Lugano Città–Stazione, currently closed for refurbishment, is a funicular railway in the city of Lugano in the Swiss canton of Ticino. The line's upper station is located within the main railway station of Lugano, and the lower station is on Piazza Cioccaro in the historic city centre below. It is one of the busiest funicular lines in Switzerland, carrying 2.4 million passengers in 2007.[1][2]
The Lugano Città–Stazione funicular is one of three funiculars within the Lugano area. The other two are the Monte Brè funicular, which ascends Monte Brè, and the Monte San Salvatore funicular, which ascends Monte San Salvatore.[3]
History
The line was built in 1886, and was originally water powered. It was completely renovated and electrified in 1955, and overhauled in 1988.[1][2]
A further major renovation is currently taking place, which will increase the capacity of the line by 20%. The line closed in July 2014, and will reopen at the end of 2016. A replacement bus is provided, but this takes 15 minutes as opposed to the funicular's 2 mins.[2][4]
Route
The line departs from its own platform at approximately right-angles to platform 1 of Lugano railway station. It immediately descends into a tunnel under the station forecourt, before emerging into the open air to cross the Via degli Amadio on a bridge.
The line then enters a passing loop, which is situated alongside the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence. It again descends into a tunnel, before emerging into the courtyard of the Acquarello Hotel and terminating on Piazza Cioccaro in the city centre.
Operation
The line is operated by the Trasporti Pubblici Luganesi (TPL), who also operate the city's bus network. The line runs continuously from 05:20 to 23:50, seven days a week. Each car is operated by a driver, who also sells and checks tickets during off-peak periods. During peak periods, tickets are sold and checked by staff at each terminus.[2]
The funicular has the following parameters:[1][2][3]
| Number of stops | 2 |
| Configuration | Single track with passing loop |
| Mode of operation | Manual |
| Track length | 220 metres (722 ft) |
| Rise | 53 metres (174 ft) |
| Maximum gradient | 25.3% |
| Tunnels | 46 metres (151 ft) + 47 metres (154 ft) |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge |
| Number of cars | 2 |
| Capacity | 75 passengers per car |
| Maximum speed | 3 metres per second (9.8 ft/s) |
| Travel time | 2 minutes |
See also
References
- 1 2 3 "TPL - Lugano Città - Stazione". Funimag. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "TPL - Funicolare Lugano - Stazione" (in Italian). Trasporti Pubblici Luganesi SA. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
- 1 2 Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz. Verlag Schweers + Wall GmbH. 2012. pp. 58–59. ISBN 978-3-89494-130-7.
- ↑ Ammann, Christian (July 2014). "Lugano funicular to be rebuilt". Today's Railways Europe (223). Platform 5 Publishing Ltd. p. 14.
External links
Media related to Funicolare Lugano-Stazione at Wikimedia Commons- Page on the funicular from the TPL's web site (in Italian)
- Article on the funicular from the Funimag online magazine
- Video of the funicular in 1991 from YouTube
Coordinates: 46°00′18″N 8°56′54″E / 46.004906°N 8.948262°E