Doppelmayr to build urban ropeway in Panama City, Panama

Doppelmayr to build urban ropeway in Panama City, Panama

The contract awarded on October 15, 2026 marks the start of the new San Miguelito urban ropeway project in Panama City. Doppelmayr will build a 6.6-kilometer system with six stations, connecting densely populated areas of San Miguelito with Metro Line 2 and the MetroBus network.

The new urban ropeway will improve San Miguelito's connections to key hubs in Panama City's public transport network. These include access to Line 2 of Metro de Panamá at the Cincuentenario station, and a connection to the MetroBus network at the Balboa station. Passengers will benefit from additional transfer options and more direct links to workplaces, educational institutions, and essential services. The stations and cabins will be designed to be fully accessible, ensuring convenient access for all passengers.

Panama's President, José Raúl Mulino, officially awarded the Doppelmayr Group the contract to implement the project on October 15, 2026. "The most important thing is that this ropeway will improve the quality of life for thousands of people who currently lose many hours in traffic," said Mulino.

Thomas Pichler, Executive Board member of the Doppelmayr Group, expressed his appreciation for the trust placed in the company: "The Teleférico de San Miguelito will create a modern mobility solution that complements public transport in a meaningful way. We appreciate the trust of the Republic of Panama and Metro de Panamá and thank everyone involved in making this project possible. Cities around the world are increasingly integrating ropeways into their public transport networks. With the Teleférico de San Miguelito, Panama is sending a strong signal for forward-looking urban mobility. It makes us very proud to contribute our experience and technology to help shape this journey."

For Irma Hernández, Mayor of San Miguelito, the project represents an important boost for the region. Numerous new jobs will be created during the construction phase. In addition, the urban ropeway will improve access to public transport, facilitate employment opportunities, and support the economic development of the densely populated district of Panama's capital.

Direct connection with a journey time of around 26 minutes

The journey between Torrijos Carter and Balboa will take around 26 minutes. The system is designed to carry 2,800 passengers per hour and direction and will reach a speed of up to 6.0 meters per second. It is planned to operate 18 hours per day on 360 days of the year. Commissioning is scheduled for 2029.

Integrated into the public transport network

A key feature of the project is its integration with the existing transport network. Connections to Metro Line 2 and the MetroBus network will enable easy transfers and strengthen the connectivity of public transport in Panama.

With the urban ropeway in San Miguelito, Panama is continuing to expand modern public mobility solutions. For Doppelmayr, the project is another major urban mobility contract in Latin America and highlights the growing importance of ropeways as an integrated part of public transport systems.

Key facts

• 10-MGD San Miguelito

• Location: San Miguelito, Panama City, Panama

• Customer: Metro de Panamá

• Length: 6.6 kilometers

• Stations: 6 (Balboa, Cincuentenario, Samaria, Mano de Piedra, Valle de Urracá, and Torrijos Carter)

• Capacity: 2,800 passengers per hour and direction

• Speed: 6.0 m/s

• Trip time: around 26 minutes between Torrijos Carter and Balboa

• Scheduled commissioning: 2029

• Operating hours: 18 hours per day, 360 days per year

• Connections: Metro Line 2 and MetroBus Doppelmayr Group

The Doppelmayr Group stands in particular for quality, technology, and market leadership in the construction of ropeway systems for passenger and material transport, as well as high-tech intralogistics solutions. The company looks back on more than 130 years of history and a century of experience in the planning, development, engineering, production, and construction of ropeways. This proven technology and its reliability have helped make ropeways a popular, high-performance mobility solution in ski and recreation areas, cities, and airports around the world.