Frequently Asked Questions
About the Project
The Queenstown Urban Cable Car Project is a proposed high-capacity public transport system designed to improve the way people move around the Wakatipu Basin.
The proposed network includes two cable car lines:
- Line One: Queenstown Airport to Town Centre
- Line Two: Frankton Hub to Ladies Mile via Five Mile and Lower Shotover
Rather than replacing existing transport options, the cable car is intended to become the backbone of a wider public transport network, working alongside buses, walking and cycling connections, ferries and future Park and Ride facilities.
Queenstown is one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts.
Population growth, increasing visitor numbers and new housing developments are placing increasing pressure on roads that are already operating at or near capacity.
The proposed cable car is designed to provide another way for people to travel - one that isn't affected by traffic congestion.
A range of transport options have been considered over many years.
Queenstown's geography-including mountains, lakes, rivers and existing urban development-makes traditional transport infrastructure difficult and expensive to build.
Urban cable cars can provide high-capacity transport with a relatively small physical footprint while avoiding many of the challenges associated with widening roads or building light rail.
No.
The proposed cable car is designed as public transport.
Like buses and ferries, its primary purpose is to help residents, workers, students and visitors move efficiently around Queenstown.
How the Cable Car Will Work
The proposed network includes two lines:
- Queenstown Airport to Town Centre.
- Frankton Hub to Ladies Mile, with stations at Five Mile and Lower Shotover.
No.
The cable car is designed to complement the bus network, not replace it.
Buses will continue connecting communities that aren't directly served by the cable car, while the cable car provides high-capacity transport along Queenstown's busiest travel corridors.
The network has been designed to ultimately carry up to 3,000 passengers per hour in each direction.
That's equivalent to approximately:
- 60 buses, or
- around 2,000 private vehicles.
Each cabin is designed to carry up to 10 passengers.
Depending on station design, three to five cabins will typically be available for loading at any one time.
Cabins would arrive every 12 to 25 seconds, depending on demand.
Passengers simply turn up and board the next available cabin.
The proposed system operates at speeds of up to 25 km/h (7 metres per second).
Yes.
The system has been designed to manage peak demand, including airport arrivals, school travel and commuter peaks.
At full capacity, a busload of passengers could be cleared in around one minute.
Yes.
The fixed infrastructure is designed to accommodate future growth.
The project is expected to begin with around 1,000 passengers per hour before increasing capacity over time by adding more cabins as demand grows.
Travelling on the Cable Car
Yes.
The cable car is being designed for people of all ages and abilities.
Features include:
- Level boarding
- Wide doors
- Wheelchair access
- Space for mobility devices
- Prams
- CCTV
- Emergency communications
Yes.
Cabins are expected to accommodate approximately two to three bicycles.
Yes.
Cabins are designed to carry luggage, and the project team is exploring airline baggage check-in facilities at the Town Centre station.
This will ultimately be determined by the Otago Regional Council as part of future operating policies.
The cabins are large enough to accommodate dogs.
Cost and Funding
Current modelling uses an indicative adult fare of around $6.
Final fares will be determined by the Otago Regional Council.
Differential pricing is being explored.
The aim is to ensure visitors contribute fairly while keeping public transport affordable for residents.
No.
The intention is to provide integrated ticketing, allowing passengers to transfer between buses and the cable car without paying twice.
Daily and weekly fare caps are also being considered.
Funding is expected to come from a combination of:
- Passenger fares
- NZ Transport Agency funding
- Otago Regional Council
- Queenstown Lakes District Council
- Developer contributions
- Other funding mechanisms
Funding arrangements are still being developed.
The project team is investigating a funding model that spreads costs across multiple beneficiaries, including visitors, developers and transport agencies, rather than relying solely on local ratepayers.
Yes.
The project team is investigating the use of the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act to ensure new developments contribute towards the infrastructure that supports their growth.
Planning and Construction
Subject to approvals:
- Fast Track application: 2026
- Early works: late 2027
- Construction: approximately two years
- Operations: late 2028 or early 2029
Current planning includes facilities at:
- Ladies Mile
- Near Queenstown Airport
- Queenstown Town Centre
Landowners affected by the proposed route are being contacted directly as design work progresses.
The project team encourages anyone with questions to get in touch so site-specific discussions can take place.
Specialist consultants are undertaking visual, acoustic and privacy assessments.
Where required, mitigation measures will be developed as part of the detailed design process.
The proposed alignment has been carefully designed in consultation with aviation stakeholders to ensure it operates safely within airport constraints.
Both companies are internationally recognised leaders in ropeway technology and have extensive experience delivering projects throughout New Zealand and overseas.
Each company brings specialist expertise to different parts of the proposed network.
The project is expected to create hundreds of jobs during planning, construction and ongoing operations.
Recruitment for operational roles will begin closer to construction.
Community and Next Steps
Community engagement continues through webinars, meetings and direct discussions with stakeholders and landowners.
Feedback received through these channels helps shape the ongoing development of the project.
Traffic modelling shows continued growth across Queenstown's transport network.
Without additional transport options, congestion is expected to continue increasing as the district grows.
Stay informed, participate in community webinars, provide feedback and engage with local decision-makers as consultation continues.
No.
We will publish a summary of the key facts presented at each webinar and update the FAQ with new questions that are raised.