50%
lower energy consumption expected
according to own calculations
1'000
people per hour max. capacity
between the Segneshütte and
Cassons
Destinations
are selected before boarding and
automatically navigated towards
1'500
1,500 people per hour max.
capacity (at full load, the capacity
can be increased to max. 1,800
people per hour)
Gondolas
operate on demand
Summer
capacity with bikes: five people incl. bikes
Cabins
are equipped with two phone charging
stations, a ventilation system and lighting
10
seats per gondola
Parts
which are safety relevant were
manufactured in Switzerland
16'000
different parts were used to
build each gondola
Milestones
Milestones
2014: Ils Cugns was
viewed and chosen
as a destination
2014 – 2019:
Development of
different options for
accessing the Tectonic
Arena Sardona World
Heritage Site (routes,
gondola systems, etc.)
2014: Development of
the Y option: Flims-
Foppa-Startgels line
and an aerial tramway
between Startgels and
Ils Cugns
2017: Initial design by
Olgiati: aerial tramway
with a capacity of 250
people; Flims (Stenna-
Tobel)-Nagens, Nagens-
Ils Cugns (later from Foppa)
2020: During the first
wave of the COVID-19
pandemic, the innovative
gondola system Ropetaxi
was conceived
(R. Bartholet and
R. Gurtner)
inkl. raumplanerische
Grundlagen, Abstimm-
ung über Ortsplanung
in Flims am 13.6.2021
mit 86% JA-Anteil
angenommen (Stimm-
beteiligung 71%)
Dec 2021: ‘Flims2Flums’
event for residents and
those for whom the area
is a second home took
place in Flums
Jan 2022: The relevant
documents for the appli-
cation for a building
permit were submitted
to the Federal Office of
Transport (BAV)
Summer 2022:
Construction of the Flims-
Foppa-Startgels stations
and lines; arenaexpress is in summer operating mode
April – Dec 2023:
Construction of the
Startgels – Segnes –
Nagens Sura –
Ils Cugns stations
and lines
Dec 2023: Opening
of the Flims – Foppa
– Startgels sections
to skiers; the Grau-
berg gondolalift
stays in operation
as a rail link
April – Dec 2024:
Opening of the Segnes
visitor centre
Dec 2024: Opening
of all sections
How it works
1
Select your destination before boarding.
2
The gondola makes its way onto the line to you.
3
Board the stationary gondola as soon as the doors open.
4
The gondola automatically navigates towards your destination.
Gondolas only travel when needed and requested
Strong reduction of empty trips
According to our calculations, our gondola lift is expected to use 50% less energy
Reduced operating and maintenance costs (e.g. 70% less wear parts)
The absence of a conventional storage facility eliminates a major time and cost factor in relation to the daily parking of the cabins.
Wherever possible, the new stations will be integrated into the surrounding nature.
Local resources such as wood and concrete will be used to build the stations.
A local concrete factory will be built in Segnes for concrete production.
Preserving the unique landscapes is our top priority
All safety-related parts and cabins are manufactured in Switzerland.
Sustainability
FlemXpress is in line with the ‘greenstyle’ sustainability concept implemented by Weisse Arena Group in 2010. The new gondola lift will not only use less energy but will also have significantly lower operating and maintenance costs. That is because the sustainable Ropetaxi system only travels on demand when there are guests who actually want to board. That way, unnecessary empty trips can be avoided.
All safety-related parts and cabins are manufactured in Switzerland.
‘With a conventional gondola lift, around 90% of the cabins travel empty. With FlemXpress, at least one person will be present in the cabin and the gondola goes wherever you want it to. That makes our gondola lift much more sustainable than it has been possible up until now.’
Roland Bartholet
CEO of Bartholet Maschinenbau AG
Innovation
The gondola lift is operated in a fully automatic and demand-driven way. The Ropetaxi technology which makes this possible was specially developed for this project by the Weisse Arena Group and the company Bartholet Maschinenbau AG. Like with any gondola lift, the gondolas move on a cable throughout the journey. However, in the station, the cabins move autonomously on rails by way of their own drive system. If any gondolas are unoccupied, they will not be on the line. This innovative technology allows guests to comfortably board the stationary cabin with their luggage or sports equipment and thus makes the gondolas accessible to all.
Start the challenge now and collect points.
‘We have made it our goal to place an increased focus on values and improve quality of life. With this new project, we are well on our way to creating an entry point into the UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona within the next two years.’
Martin Hug
Mayor of Flims
FlemXpress offers breathtaking landscapes and exciting experiences in an innovative, sustainable and accessible way. The goal was to make the UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona accessible to all by way of a visitor-oriented, pioneering flagship project. The Ropetaxi system, a world novelty, transports you directly to your destination regardless of the season. Six different stations are planned. Choose your destination, get on board and discover the area. FlemXpress uses just one system, but offers the highest level of guest comfort, a low environmental impact and reduces energy usage. What more could you want?