LA PAZ, May 31 —Bolivia inaugurated the first segment of the world’s highest cable railway line yesterday, which allows passengers to travel between the city of La Paz to neighbouring city El Alto in about 10 minutes.

According to El Heraldo, a total of three cable lines will connect the two cities by transporting passengers at up to 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) above the sea level.

The US$235-million (RM755 million) project, executed by the Austrian firm Doppelmayr, aims to relieve the problem of traffic in an urban conglomerate of 1.6 millions of people by offering a significantly faster alternative than travelling by road, which takes approximately 30 minutes.

Powered by electricity, the 443 WI-Fi enabled cars can transport up to 10 passengers each and will run for 17 hours a day, transporting up to 18,000 people an hour.

One ride costs three bolivianos (about RM1.60), just under 50 cents, although high-school and university students, disabled people and the elderly will receive a 50 per cent discount, the manager of the state-run Mi Teleferico company, Cesar Dockweiler, was quoted by Business Standard as saying.

According to the director of Mi Teleferico quoted by AFP, La Paz and El Alto “are among the first 10 cities in the world with an inter-city transport system by cable.”

With an altitude of 3,660 metres, La Paz is the highest capital in the world. — Reuters

Bolivia's new cable railway line connects the city La Paz to neighbouring city El Alto. — Reuters pic