The new cable car today transported tourists to Sněžka for the first time

Pec pod Sněžkou (Trutnov region) - The new cable car to the highest Czech mountain, Sněžka, was put into operation for the first time today at 11:00 for its second section, allowing tourists to once again ascend to the summit. The cable car was expected to start operating in the morning, but they waited until the strong winds ceased. Jiří Martinec, the manager of the cableway, stated this to ČTK. The cable car received the necessary operating permit for the section from Růžová hora to the summit on Friday.
    "Right now, it is partly cloudy up there, quite nice. The wind is calming down," Martinec mentioned.
    The contracting company completed the cable car four months ahead of schedule. The original deadline was set for spring. People first took rides in the new cabins before the Christmas holidays, but only to Růžová hora. The town of Pec pod Sněžkou still had to obtain permission for the second section from the Railway Authority.
    "We have normal operation in January mode, from 100 to 550 people daily. This roughly corresponds to the attendance of the old cable car and also to the fact that it only traveled to Růžová hora. It improved with the school holidays," said Martinec.
    The new cable car, costing over 300 million crowns, features four-seater cabins instead of open double chairs. The travel time to the summit is reduced from 25 minutes to 16 minutes. Like the old system, the new cable car can transport a maximum of 250 people per hour, which was a condition set by conservationists. The fare on the new cable car is about ten percent more expensive. A ticket to the summit costs 210 crowns, and a round trip costs 390 crowns.
    "People find it expensive and always have. But for that price, there are seven kilometers on the cable; shorter cable cars are more expensive in comparison. On the other hand, people enjoy comfort during the ride, beautiful views, and they often tell me that it is an experience for them," Martinec remarked.