Schräglift Alpmatten

Schräglift Alpmatten is a funicular at Bettmeralp in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. It leads from the Alpmatten neighborhood at 1870 m to the centre of the car-free resort Bettmeralp at 1935 m.^[1][2] The single-cabin line functions with a counterweight. It has a length of 133 m and a difference of elevation of 65 m.^[1]

Schräglift Alpmatten
Overview
Other name	Schräglift Mieschgihalta
Status	In operation
Owner	Aletsch Bahnen AG (since 2017); Schräglift Mieschgihalta AG (2000–2005/2006), Bettmeralp Bahnen AG (2005/2006–2017, name change)
Locale	Bettmeralp, Valais, Switzerland
Termini	Alpmatten St. Michaels Zentrum
Stations	2
Service
Type	Funicular (inclined elevator)
Rolling stock	1
Ridership	capacity: 105 persons/hour
History
Opened	9 December 2000 (24 years ago) (2000-12-09)
Technical
Line length	133 m (436 ft)
Number of tracks	1
Electrification	from opening
Operating speed	1.8 metres per second (5.9 ft/s)
Highest elevation	1,935 m (6,348 ft)

It is operated by Aletsch Bahnen AG. Journey time is 1.47 minutes.^[1]

History

Alpmatten is located below the centre of the car-free village of Bettmeralp. While other installations provided access for skiers, the Schräglift ("inclined lift") was proposed for non-skiers, seniors, and families with children by a transport commission set up in autumn 1996.^[3] A bus line, a chair lift, and a covered escalator were considered as alternatives.^[3]

The assembly of the municipality of Betten approved the project in 1998, despite opposition favoring expansion of the existing installations.^[3]

For the construction, the company Schräglift Mieschgihalta AG^{[note 1]} was formed on 3 July 2000 (2000-07-03).^[4] Shares were subscribed by the municipality of Betten, Bettmeralp Bahnen, and local residents and businesses.^[5]

The lift was built by Garaventa and inaugurated on 9 December 2000.^[5]

In 2005/2006, Bettmeralp Bahnen AG took over the line.^[1] After a merger, the company was named Aletsch Bahnen AG.

Notes

1. initially "gi" were inverted^[4]