Gondola proposed

Auckland: A $200 million, 4.2km gondola system has been proposed for Auckland by Austrian firm Doppelmayr, linking Wynyard Quarter, Bayswater and Akoranga bus station.

The firm’s Christchurch subsidiary said the ‘‘ropeways’’ could be built within two to three years and transport 6000 people a day across a 20hour period, and could possibly be used by cyclists.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said he welcomed any ideas which helped to ‘‘accelerate mode shift’’ but any project seeking public investment needed to be based on a robust business case showing any funding would deliver net benefits.

The gondola proposal comes after the Government scrapped plans for a dedicated walking and cycling bridge which had a projected cost of

$785 million. —