The President of Ecuador has announced plans to develop a new cable car system in Quito, the capital city, through a public-private partnership (PPP).

The so-called "Metroférico de Quito" will be delivered in two phases. The first phase will connect La Carolina Park, located in the centre of the city's central business district, to Tumbaco, a suburb to the south-east of the city centre, via seven stops. The estimated total investment is US$320 million.

The second phase will extend the cable car to Mariscal Sucre International Airport, located near the town of Tababela, about 18 km east of Quito. The three-stop extension is estimated to cost US$280 million.

The system will be the longest cable car in the world, transporting a projected 11,000 passengers a day. The total journey time between La Carolina Park and the airport will be 42 minutes.

This represents over an hour time saving on the current journey using public transport. The system is also forecast to save 70,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

The government plans to launch the tender for the project next year, aiming to begin construction in the second half of 2020. The PPP will cover the development and maintenance of the cable car for an estimated 35 years.