A new cable car in Saint-Gervais valley transported 321,000 passengers in its first year, offering an eco-friendly alternative to cars and connecting the region with ease.
Saint-Gervais valley lift opens in 2024
Inaugurated in August 2024, the Saint-Gervais valley lift in Haute-Savoie transported 321,000 passengers during its first year of operation. Designed by the POMA group, the cable car connects with other public transport, allowing passengers to reach the starting station from the SNCF station at Fayet with ease.Design features of the lift
The departure station is elevated, enabling the cabins to quickly gain height and fly over traffic. The journey takes six minutes between Le Fayet and the center of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, offering views of the valley and the Mont-Blanc massif. The first part of the valley lift extends over 1,785 meters and crosses 221 meters of elevation gain, using only eight pylons.Accessibility and passenger capacity
According to Guillaume Grelier, sector manager of Valléen at POMA, accessibility is a crucial aspect of the system, with cabins designed to accommodate bicycles, skis, or strollers. The project aims to provide an alternative to the car for daily travel and facilitate access to the mountains for visitors.Usage and seasonal variations
The Valléen transported 321,000 customers during its first year of operation, with attendance reaching approximately 5,700 people per day during the high season, compared to slightly less than 1,000 on average during the low season. These figures exceed initial expectations, and the service is considered more practical by the residents.Operational details and cost
To ensure the continuity of the service, the operator had to reach about 220 passengers per day, a target that was largely achieved. The service operates from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily, with a cost of 2.50 euros per person, and subscriptions and passes are available.Two sections of the cable car system
The operation of the cable car is based on two complementary sections: the Valléen, which runs between Le Fayet and Saint-Gervais, and the Alpin, which continues the ascent towards Bettex and the ski slopes of Mont d'Arbois. The Valléen uses 26 cabins, while the Alpin has 71.Alpin section and performance
The Alpin, inaugurated in December 2024, was temporarily closed and is scheduled to reopen on December 12 for the winter season. Guillaume Grelier emphasized that cable transport offers a high throughput, with cabins sent every fifteen seconds and a speed that can reach six meters per second.Funding and future implications
The project required a total funding of 45 million euros, with contributions from the Haute-Savoie Department, the Bettex-Mont d'Arbois Cable Lift Company (STBMA), the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, and the commune of Saint-Gervais. Fabien Felli, president of the group, noted that this infrastructure illustrates the ability of cable transport to meet needs beyond the skiable area alone, and that this type of organization could inspire projects such as those of the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
