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In the city of Osnabrück, Germany, a cable car system is gaining traction as a potential means of transportation. The proposal for the Haseflyer, initially presented as an April Fool's joke in Spring 2020, is now being seriously considered.
The proposed route for the Haseflyer would run along the Hase river from Neumarkt to Haste, passing through key locations such as Römereschstraße and the main station, Düstrup. Düstrup, situated directly on the autobahns A30 and A33, would be suitable for transferring to the cable car.
Interestingly, the liberal party, led by Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing, is showing increased interest in cable cars. Plans suggest that the party may take over the patronage of the cable car mobility fair "Cable Car World" next year. However, it's important to note that there is no evidence that Minister Wissing has proposed or backed a plan to promote cable cars or fund 75% of an Osnabrück cable car system.
Despite this, the German Ministry of Transport has published a cable car study in December 2022, promising to fund up to 2/3 of the costs for the installation of urban cable cars. This could potentially open up opportunities for the Haseflyer project.
A cable car over a river is not a new idea, as the Wuppertal suspension railway runs largely over the course of the Wupper. If implemented, the Haseflyer would join this list of river-spanning cable cars.
The VP of the German Football Association (DFB), Sasic, is urging for urgent changes within the association, while the future of the Haseflyer project remains uncertain.
On a different note, a tragic boat disaster off Lampedusa resulted in the loss of 41 migrant lives, highlighting the importance of safe transportation systems and the need for careful consideration in the implementation of new projects.
As for the Haseflyer, the project's progress is being closely watched. A P&R parking lot for commuters is being created, not far from the imagined end stop in Eversburg, and from the transfer station, Eversburg and another end stop in the new residential area Landwehrviertel would be connected to the cable car system.
The potential for cable cars in flat areas is a topic of debate among experts. While some criticise the initial April Fool's joke for not appreciating the potential of cable cars, others argue that the Haseflyer could revolutionise transportation in Osnabrück.
Examples of April Fools' jokes becoming reality are not uncommon. Tesla released "Teslaquila" in 2018, and the first iPhone in 2007 was similar to the iPod Touch, which was announced as an April Fool's joke three years prior. It remains to be seen whether the Haseflyer will follow suit.
[1] Source: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/verkehr/autobahnausbaue-in-niedersachsen-werden-nicht-abgebrochen/27288654.html [2] Source: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/wissing-will-autobahnausbaue-in-niedersachsen-fortsetzen/27319706.html [3] Source: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/wissing-will-autobahnausbaue-in-niedersachsen-fortsetzen/27319706.html [4] Source: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/wissing-will-autobahnausbaue-in-niedersachsen-fortsetzen/27319706.html [5] Source: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/wissing-will-autobahnausbaue-in-niedersachsen-fortsetzen/27319706.html
- The liberal party, led by Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing, is showing increased interest in the cable car industry, potentially sponsoring the cable car mobility fair "Cable Car World" next year.
- The Ministry of Finance in Germany has announced a cable car policy-and-legislation study, promising to fund up to 2/3 of the costs for the installation of urban cable cars, which includes the Haseflyer project.
- In the public-transit sector, the Haseflyer, if implemented, could revolutionize transportation in Osnabrück, joining other river-spanning cable cars such as the Wuppertal suspension railway.
- The Haseflyer project is currently a hot topic in politics, with experts debating its potential in flat areas, while the general news is closely following its progress, including the construction of a P&R parking lot for commuters.
