Funchal Cable Car Prepares Largest Overhaul in 25 Years of Operation
The Madeira Cable Car company will proceed with a modernization and refurbishment project in 2026, estimated at approximately four million euros.
The announcement was made this afternoon by administrator Ricardo Pinto Correia, on the sidelines of the Municipal Tourism Award ceremony, hosted by the Funchal City Council on World Tourism Day.
According to the official, the infrastructure shutdown is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, between January and April, and will last approximately three months. "It's a planned intervention, the first of its kind in 25 years of operation, which will focus primarily on the Funchal station, replacing the cable, and updating the system's technology," he explained, emphasizing that it will be the largest shutdown ever for this mode of transportation. "With the exception of a few occasional shutdowns due to bad weather, we've never been shut down for so long," he emphasized.
While emphasizing that the current cable "is in good condition," Ricardo Pinto Correia emphasized that the company conducts monthly magnetic inspections to ensure its safety, but that it will choose to install a more modern model, "which will provide greater comfort and confidence to passengers." Furthermore, the project will also include improvements to the cable car's energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
"Technology has also evolved significantly in cable cars. There are now new products, new materials, and new components available in this cable car that will not only make it more comfortable, safer, and more environmentally friendly, because it consumes less energy, so we will also address this aspect," he said.
The Madeira Cable Car company, inaugurated in 2000, was recognized this afternoon by the Funchal municipality for its "contribution to mobility, economic dynamism, and tourism promotion" in the region.
Safety, quality infrastructure, and employee appreciation were highlighted as the main pillars of the company's operations, which currently employs 32 people. "It's important that we have a clear conscience about what we've done and are doing our best to ensure that the Funchal Cable Car becomes a top-notch infrastructure and a benchmark nationally and internationally," he emphasized.
In his activity review, Ricardo Pinto Correia revealed that last year the infrastructure transported 1.1 million passengers, with growth of 5 to 10% projected by 2025.
Source: DN Madeira
https://www.dnoticias.pt/2025/9/26/464379-teleferico-do-funchal-prepara-a-maior-intervencao-em-25-anos-de-actividade/#
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