Metrocable

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[[Image:Image:Metrocablemed.JPG \| 250px]]
Metrocable
Info
Type	Aerial tramway
Status	Operational
Locale	Medellín, Colombia
Operation
Opened	2006
Operator(s)	Metro de Medellín
Character	Elevated
Technical
Line length	2,072 m (6,798 ft)
Electrification	Electric motor powering cable bullwheel
Operating speed	10 mph (16.09 km/h)
Highest elevation	399 m (1,309 ft)

Metrocable is an aerial tramway system implemented by the local government of Medellín, Colombia whose main function is to be a complementary service of Medellín's Metro. It is intended to reach the least developed suburban areas.

Medellín is a city located in the Aburra Valley and it is therefore surrounded by hills. Many of those hills are home of underdeveloped towns that because of their location have not been reached by Medellín's biggest mass transportation system Metro. Many of those towns are in fact located in very steep grounds to the extent that not even a regular bus system could be either useful or commercially profitable.

The Metrocable system is a branch of Medellín's metro and it is managed by the company Metro of Medellín. The system consists of cable cars connected to a fixed cable through means of a rolling wheel (called truck). The wheels roll on the haulage rope allowing the cabins to move at an average speed of 10 miles per hour.

At the present time two lines have been built, the line J and line K. This lines currently serve Andalucia, Popular and Santo Domingo Savio.

Currently the system is in a trial stage since aerial tramways are not often used as mass transportation system, however they can be used as such. A good example of this system is the Roosevelt Island Tramway in New York. So far, the system has been received with enthusiasm by the locals and another line serving the town of Pajarito is being planned for construction.

One of the disadvantages of trams are the risk inherent to power outages. In case of a hazard or an emergency it is not possible to exit the cabins. Medellín metro is approaching this problem by providing a communication system in every tram should an emergency occur.