A cable car developer has proposed building a cable-propelled transit system for passengers to reach Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, instead of struggling in the usually crowded main streets leading to Vietnam’s busiest airdrome.

The cable car system is proposed to be built in the nearby Hoang Van Thu and Go Vap parks, according to Vu Huy Thang, director or Bilco, the developer behind the cable car systems in several tourist areas such as Vinpearl Nha Trang, Ba Na Hill and Yen Tu.

Thang said he came up with the idea after reading suggestions that a subway system be built to connect the two parks with the airport.

Thang said it would cost around VND500 billion (US$22.32 million) to develop the cable car system, only one tenth of the money needed for the subway.

The Bilco director said construction takes only ten months, and a cable car system is “a quick and effective solution to the congestion problem on the entrance to Tan Son Nhat.”

According to the proposal, the cable car poles will be put on the median strips on Truong Son Street, running from Hoang Van Thu to the airport, so the construction will not occupy the urban space of the area.

At a speed of 25kph, the proposed cable car is capable of carrying 3,000 turns of passengers per hour, and if more advanced technology is deployed, the loading capacity could be up to 4,500 turns, Thang asserted.

Thang added that it would be more convenient to have the cable car put in Hoang Van Thu than in Gia Dinh, as Hong Ha Street, connecting the latter with the airport, does not have median strips.

Both Truong Son and Hong Ha usually suffer congestion during rush hours, so unlucky passengers may miss their flights if they cannot escape from the jam on time.

Several proposals have been made to solve the congestion, inclduing one to develp a $250 million subway from Gia Dinh and Hoang Van Thu parks to the airport.

Another idea is to build a transit station at the parks, where passengers can check-in and send their luggage, before boarding shuttle buses to the departure terminal.