I mean...if this is private money than OK, just can't imagine there's a demand to build dedicated physical infrastructure to get the number of people who want to go to Brickworks. Buy one or two shuttle buses and run them from Castle frank and call it a day?
Did you know modern microcapsule gondolas can be profitable at just a few hundred passengers per day? Over 95 percent empty and still profitable. They even said so at the FAQ on donvalleycablecar.com too! Buses and trains do run empty during midday too, even for high-farebox-recovery TTC and GO. However, gondolas are much cheaper to build and much cheaper to operate.
I think the intent is that this isn't just practical transit, but "recreational" as well. It would provide a view of the ravine not normally seen, and give a relaxing, leisurely, quiet, and relatively private trip. It's in part a destination all its own.
Exactly.
To be successful, it needs to serve both transit and recreational needs, from cyclists to families to wheelchair users (all of which the Don Valley Cable Cad supports). Also, gondola operation cost is lower per passenger than for buses, and accommodates surges far better, with almost no waiting time.
8 person capsules every 10 seconds.
On a slow day, you run the cable slower (less wear, less amortization, more scenic time) and let couples have capsules all to themselves. No problem. On busy days, run to max speed and stuff-up the capsules, 3600 people per hour per direction -- (almost as much traffic as Don Valley Parkway!)
Many gondolas keep moving on just a few kilowatts of electricity total. Once in momentum, it is surprisingly low fuel/power, even less per passenger than a train! Only 100 watt-hours per passenger per kilometre.
For the power of lighting one 100 watt bulb for one hour, you have moved a passenger 1km by gondola. That is more efficient than most electric trains too! Cheap operating cost. And very low capex cost per passenger.
I lived in the Riverdale area before I moved to Hamilton, and if it was there, the gondola definitely would have been used several times by me for mundane stuff like getting a bike up out of the valley, and even as an occasional walking shortcut.
Maybe not more than a few times a year, but the convenience is incredible if it's there for use with almost no wait time! (Which compensates for "transfer hassle" partially). It is an unusually transit modal per pricing unit, too.
10 dollars for a round trip is reasonable for Toronto area, that is not much more than TTC fare. In fact, due to the low price of mini capsule cable car technology, I think some routes could break or profit even at TTC fare.
- which you can read online, too!)
