System length 1.3 km (0.81 mi) Number of lines 1 Transit type Funicular | Locale Serfaus Number of stations 4 Began operation 1985 | |
 | ||
The Dorfbahn Serfaus is an unusual underground air cushion funicular transit system in the Tyrolian village of Serfaus in Austria. The name literally translates as Serfaus Village Railway.
Overview
Serfaus is a busy ski resort, and during the season has to cater for large numbers of skiers. The slopes are accessed by a cable car and a gondola lift, whose lower stations are situated at one end of the village's main street. A large car park is located at the other end of this street, and the Dorfbahn connects the two, allowing the conversion of the village into a car-free zone. Besides the two terminal stations at Seilbahn (cable car) and Parkplatz (car park), there are two intermediate stations in the village centre.
The line was built in 1985 by the Freissler-Otis company. It consists of a single, 1,280-metre (4,199 ft) one-track line, with a single train operating on a shuttle basis. The train comprises two cars, is suspended on an air cushion, and is moved by a funicular haulage system. The tunnel is 10 feet (3.05 m) wide and 11 feet (3.35 m) high. The train can carry 270 people, and travels at a speed of 25 mph (40 km/h).
During the winter season the line operates between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, and between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm in the summer. A single journey takes 7 minutes, with the intermediate stations served only in the respective main load direction (in the morning toward Seilbahn, in the afternoon toward Parkplatz). The service is free of charge.
