World's highest cable car network opens in Bolivia (Video)
World's highest cable car network opens in Bolivia (Video)
By Anne Sewell
15 hours ago
- click for video -
La Paz - Bolivian President Evo Morales inaugurated the first segment of the world's highest cable car network Friday, which will take passengers from La Paz to nearby El Alto, at a height of up to 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level.
Built by an Austrian company, Doppelmayr, the cable car line travels through the Andes mountains and offers stunning views of the Illimani, one of Bolivia's highest peaks.
The line, which cost $234 million, allows passengers to travel between La Paz and El Alto in less than 10 minutes, as compared to the road trip time of 30 minutes.
"It is a joy that this cable car line is finished," Morales said at the inauguration ceremony in La Paz.
"It's important work for the residents of La Paz."
The city of La Paz is the highest capital in the world and is located at an altitude of 3,660 meters, making the cable car network a welcome sight indeed for all concerned.
More:
http://digitaljournal.com/news/world/world-s-highest-cable-car-network-opens-in-bolivia-video/article/385176#ixzz33MpNbLgN
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Bolivia: World's highest cable car soars through Andes mountains
Date June 2, 2014 - 9:29AM
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Bolivia's first metropolitan cable railway links El Alto with La Paz. Photo: AFP[/font]
Bolivian President Evo Morales inaugurated on Friday the first segment of the world's highest cable railway line, carrying passengers from city to city at up to 4000 metres above sea level.
The cable line connects the capital La Paz with the nearby city of El Alto, through the high Andes mountains, offering stunning views of the snow-capped Illimani, one of Bolivia's highest peaks.
Constructed by the Austrian company Doppelmayr for US$234 million (A$251.30 million), the line allows passengers to travel between the two cities in less than 10 minutes, compared to more than 30 minutes by road.
Bolivian President Evo Morales jokes after receiving a replica of the first metropolitan cable railway during its inauguration on May 30, 2014, in La Paz.
Bolivian President Evo Morales jokes after receiving a replica of the first metropolitan cable railway during its inauguration on May 30, 2014, in La Paz. Photo: AFO
"It is a joy that this cable car line is finished," Morales cheered during the inauguration ceremony in La Paz.
"It's important work for the residents of La Paz."
La Paz is the highest capital in the world, at an altitude of 3660 metres.
After the ceremony, long lines of people waited in the terminals at both ends, eager for their first experience in the cable car.
A "speechless" Jorge Villena was one of the first passengers.
"It's awesome: the quiet, the view, the Illimani. It's perfect," the 25-year-old bank employee.
More:
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-essentials/travel-news/bolivia-worlds-highest-cable-car-soars-through-andes-mountains-20140602-39cwl.html#ixzz33Snh5fNH
