Concept view of the proposed Bolzano–Jenesien bicable aerial tramway showing valley station, cabins and secure bike parking.
Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy, September 11, 2025
South Tyrol’s provincial government has approved updated technical plans and funding for a new Bolzano–Jenesien cable car, moving the project into implementation. The €39.7 million scheme — €31.5 million for construction and €8.2 million for administrative costs — will be largely financed by national recovery funds, with regional and state funds covering the remainder. The approved bicable aerial tramway will use two cabins of about 45 passengers each, three support towers and a valley intermodal hub with covered secure bike and e‑bike parking and a new 60‑space car park. A separate Virgolo cliff design won an architectural competition as a distinct proposal.
The provincial government has approved updated technical plans and funding for the Bolzano–Jenesien cable car, moving the project from study into the construction planning phase. The decision, taken on 19 August 2025, assigns the in-house company responsible for local transport infrastructure to carry out the work and secures most of the money needed to build a new lift linking Bolzano with San Genesio (Jenesien).
Total costs for the project are estimated at €39.7 million. Of that sum, €31.5 million is earmarked for construction, while €8.2 million covers administrative and related expenses. The bulk of the funding, €37.5 million, will be supplied through the national recovery fund and released for the 2026 fiscal year. An additional approximately €2.2 million comes from regional development and state funds to complete the package.
The updated technical brief calls for a bicable aerial tramway running from the current valley station in Bolzano to the top station on San Genesio. The plan now foresees two cabins, each holding about 45 people, and a maximum throughput of roughly 350 passengers per hour. The route will cross the municipalities of Bolzano and San Genesio and will be supported by three towers along the line.
Changes from earlier versions include the removal of a planned mid‑station and a small shift in the upper route to ease access. The valley station building will be moved closer to the road by about four metres. The project also plans enhanced connections for people on foot, by bike, and by bus, plus covered and secure bicycle and e‑bike parking at both valley and mountain stations. Access to secure bike parking will be managed through a regional pass system.
Project leaders describe the aim as delivering a sustainable, fast and convenient option for residents and visitors. An intermodal hub at the valley station is planned to make transfers easy among walking routes, cycle paths and local bus services. The scheme also includes a new 60‑space parking area adjacent to the valley station to support park‑and‑ride use.
The provincial transport company has been tasked with planning and implementing the project. With the technical specifications approved and funding identified, the next steps will focus on detailed design, permitting and tendering for construction. The provincial ministry for mobility has signalled the project as a priority within its sustainable mobility plan through 2035.
Separately, an international architecture practice has won a design competition for a new transit link to the steep Virgolo (Virgl) cliff above Bolzano. This is a distinct project from the Jenesien cable car and is driven by a private developer in partnership with the town. The proposal reimagines a short, steep cable link and a pair of ring‑shaped station structures embedded into the hillside.
The Virgolo design emphasizes a very short trip from the base near the river into a new mountain square at the top, with a reported journey time of about 1 minute and 11 seconds. The upper area is shown as a mixed public space with food and beverage outlets, event space and leisure facilities, such as a viewing plaza and other visitor amenities. One version of the design describes 16 small cars holding eight passengers each; this is a separate technical model from the Jenesien tramway.
The two projects serve different slopes and purposes and come from different promoters. The approved Jenesien plan is a provincial public transport project with secured public funding and a bicable tramway model. The Virgolo proposal is a privately led architectural scheme with a distinct, more sculptural station concept and different technical choices. Reported passenger counts, cabin numbers and trip times differ between the two schemes and should not be confused.
Bolzano serves as the provincial capital and has a compact urban core that sits close to steep nearby terrain. Both projects aim to improve access to mountainside walks and viewpoints and are pitched as tools to attract visitors as well as to offer new mobility options to local people. Where the Jenesien scheme is now funded and moving toward delivery, the Virgolo design remains a separate competition winner with concept plans and design proposals that will need developer approvals and further steps to reach construction.
For the Jenesien cable car, expect detailed planning, permitting and contracting steps over the next year and public updates on design, construction milestones and access arrangements once procurement is launched. For the Virgolo concept, follow‑on moves would include planning approvals, engineering studies and commercial decisions by the developer and municipal partners.
Most of the project cost is covered. €37.5 million will come from the national recovery fund for 2026, with roughly €2.2 million from regional and state sources. Total cost is estimated at €39.7 million.
No. The Jenesien cable car is a provincially backed public transport project linking Bolzano and San Genesio. The Virgolo scheme is a separate architectural proposal led by a private developer to reconnect a steep cliff area above the city.
The approved project plans for two cabins of around 45 people each and a maximum system capacity of about 350 passengers per hour.
Yes. Covered and secured bike and e‑bike parking is planned at both valley and mountain stations, and the project aims to link stations to footpaths, cycle routes and bus services.
With technical specifications approved and funding allocated for 2026, the next steps are detailed design and permitting. Official construction dates will depend on tendering and permit schedules.
| Feature | Bolzano–Jenesien cable car (approved) | Virgolo / Virglo proposal (design) |
|---|---|---|
| Promoter | Provincial transport company acting for local government | Private developer in partnership with town; international design firm |
| Funding | €39.7M total; €37.5M from national recovery fund for 2026; €2.2M regional/state | Private/developer funding; design competition entrant (further funding not specified) |
| System type | Bicable aerial tramway with two large cabins | Short, steep cable link with multiple small cars and ring stations |
| Passenger capacity | About 45 per cabin; ~350 passengers per hour | Reportedly 16 cars × 8 passengers (design report) |
| Trip time | Not specified in recent approval | About 1 minute 11 seconds (reported for design proposal) |
| Stations and amenities | Valley and mountain stations; bike parking; intermodal hub; 60‑space car park | Base and upper ring stations; mountain plaza, café, restaurant, pool, event spaces |
| Current status | Technical specs approved; funding secured; planning and procurement next | Design competition winner; further approvals and funding required |
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