Poma brings a new dimension to urban mobility with the Angelo Gondola in Ajaccio

POMA, the project’s manufacturer and technical partner, designed the Angelo gondola lift for the Ajaccio Urban Community (CAPA). The lift was inaugurated on Saturday 18th October in the presence of Ajaccio Mayor Stéphane SBRAGGIA; Corsica Prefect, Eric JALON; and POMA President, Fabien FELLI.

This 3 km urban cable link serves four multimodal stations. It connects the new hospital, schools, sports facilities, and the Mezzavia shopping centre. With a capacity of 1,500 people per hour in each direction, the Angelo cable car is quiet and energy efficient. It aims to improve the daily lives of Ajaccio residents by providing an alternative means of transport and helping to reduce congestion in the urban area.

AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT FOR THE AJACCIO METROPOLITAN AREA

The Angelo cable car project officially began in March 2022 with the signing of the CREM contract between CAPA and the manufacturer, POMA. Following a two-year study and administrative preparation phase, construction started in March 2024. A consortium of local and regional experts, including POMA, Egis Rail, Raffalli, Groupe Rocca and CAPO Architectes, was chosen to carry out the project, based on their technical expertise and knowledge of the area.

Designed as part of POMA’s LIFE R’way initiative, the Angelo gondola lift incorporates sustainable and innovative principles, it is designed to have a low environmental impact throughout its life cycle, from design to operation. It was conceived to have a small footprint and an optimised aerial route that preserves the natural environment and residential areas, and is designed to minimise its footprint. Construction phases were planned to minimise environmental impact, with each architectural choice designed to blend in with the landscape, including green-painted pylons, cabins decorated with imperial bees, and lighting that respects the site’s topography. This approach, which combines innovation, sustainability and landscape integration, demonstrates POMA’s commitment to creating an efficient, environmentally friendly gondola lift that is perfectly suited to its location.

The Angelo cable car forms part of Ajaccio’s municipality’s extensive development plan, which aims to improve mobility and reconnect changing neighbourhoods such as Mezzavia, Stiletto, Finosello, Saint-Joseph and La Citadelle. With over 45,000 vehicles passing through the city’s eastern entrance every day, the area suffers from severe congestion. In this context, the cable car offers a viable alternative to private cars, providing a connection between Mezzavia, the Saint-Joseph area and the seafront in 12 minutes. It has a capacity of 1,500 passengers per hour in each direction and complements the existing public transport network, promoting intermodality with buses, shuttles and park-and-ride facilities.

The installation of Angelo is a real lever for transformation in the area, already helping to boost the economic and tourist appeal of the Ajaccio region while opening up neighbourhoods, reducing noise pollution and CO₂ emissions, and improving quality of life for residents.

Finally, the new Angelo cable car has been designed to provide the best possible experience for users. Boarding at the station has been made easier and safer, with an adjusted speed and silent operation to ensure maximum comfort. The cabins are equipped with large windows that offer panoramic views of the city and coastline. Accessibility is a priority, with facilities to accommodate people with reduced mobility and pushchairs. The integration of bicycle racks promotes intermodality, an essential component of any urban mobility project. As with all POMA projects, the objective remains the same: to enable every passenger to enjoy a comfortable, safe and environmentally friendly journey.

FROM DESIGN TO OPERATION, POMA ENSURES THE SERVICE CONTINUITY

In addition to the design, POMA will operate and maintain the system for 10 years in partnership with local companies through its subsidiary SECA. This will create 28 direct jobs, with six members of staff on duty at all times during operating hours.

The main challenge lies in ensuring optimal quality and continuity of service for users. POMA has partne-red with AFPA Corse and France Travail to recruit and train qualified technicians according to a dedi-cated schedule. This approach also contributes to local employment development by strengthening the skills and presence of professionals in the region.

POMA, WORLD LEADER IN URBAN CABLE TRANSPORT IN FRANCE AND INTERNATIONALLY

Thanks to its global expertise in cable transport, POMA designed and built the Angelo cable car, providing residents of Ajaccio with a reliable, innovative and sustainable service. Recognised internationally for its expertise in urban cable transport, POMA has contributed to the development of numerous systems around the world, providing cities seeking to balance mobility, ecology and efficiency with tailored solutions.

In Latin America, POMA has become a key player in urban mobility, with installations in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and Guayaquil in Ecuador. France is not to be outdone. Projects such as the Téléo cable car in Toulouse and the Papang cable car in Saint-Denis de la Réunion have been fully embraced by residents and are now fully integrated into the local landscape.

For Fabien FELLI, President of POMA: "Ajaccio marks a new stage in the development of cable transport in France, and we are proud of it. Building such an infrastructure in 18 months shows that with political will, a solid consortium and committed teams, it is possible to provide concrete solutions that change people’s daily lives. Ultimately, Angelo embodies the creation of a lasting link between spaces and between people.”

https://www.poma.net