Ever wondered how Haifa moves its students across Mount Carmel? It is not magic but the Rakavlit. The Rakavlit is Haifa’s modern gondola lift system. It is more than just a ride. It is a key part of the city’s public transport network.
The Rakavlit connects the HaMifratz Central Bus Station to the Technion and the University of Haifa. Imagine gliding 4.4 kilometers uphill. You gain 460 meters in elevation. The Rakavlit makes this journey a breeze. Originally estimated at 17 minutes, the ride now takes about 19 minutes.
This cable car system has six stations. Its name came from a contest among Haifa schools. This shows how much the city values this modern transit solution.
Construction started in June 2017 by the Yefeh Nof municipal company. The project cost about 280 million NIS. The Rakavlit addresses traffic issues in Haifa. It especially helps students get to the university campuses.
Each Rakavlit car holds up to ten passengers. They depart every 15 seconds. This allows a capacity of 2400 passengers per hour in each direction. The ride from Haifa Bay Central Station to the Technion takes only 10 minutes. The next leg to the University of Haifa takes just 9 more minutes.
Test runs began in April 2021. The original opening was set for October 10, 2021. But a dispute with Doppelmayr Cable Car delayed the launch. Doppelmayr is the Austrian manufacturer. The issue involved contract details and finances. Some say Doppelmayr wanted an extra 20 million Euros. Finally, the Rakavlit opened in April 2022.
The Rakavlit is fully accessible to people with disabilities. All standard transit discounts apply. The Rakavlit improves daily life for students and residents. So hop on the Rakavlit. Experience Haifa from a unique perspective. It is more than just a ride it is a smart solution to urban transport.