Popular bike park, but not the railway

The Alpenbikepark is very popular – and not just with mountain bikers from the Chur region. It attracts visitors from all over Switzerland and even from abroad. The Brambrüeschbahn cable car, which currently consists of two sections: Chur – Känzeli and Känzeli – Brambrüesch, provides access to the trails. The latter is known for not always being guaranteed to operate, much to the annoyance of bike park visitors who have traveled from far away.

The second section in particular is considered technically outdated: the Känzeli – Brambrüesch gondola lift was originally built in 1959 and renovated in 1998. Its concession is valid until the end of 2026, and according to project documents, the risk of failure has been considered high for years, partly because spare parts are difficult to obtain. 

40 million instead of 24 million Swiss francs

On May 19, 2019, the voters of Chur approved the railway project at a cost of 24.4 million Swiss francs. Now, a framework credit of 40.6 million Swiss francs is being put to the people. The reasons given include inflation and additional project components such as a land swap and site issues.

Critics prefer a more cost-effective partial renovation. However, one of the objections to this is that it would involve a longer interruption of operations (around 1.5 years). This would be a massive restriction for the local recreation area and the Alpine bike park: The bike park would then only be accessible with difficulty, for example by public transport, private shuttles, or under your own steam. Furthermore, a comprehensive renovation would only be a temporary solution and thus a costly postponement of the new construction. In the long term, the smooth operation of the bike park would not be guaranteed, and its quality and further development would also suffer.

Vote for bike sports

Those eligible to vote on March 8, 2026, can, from the proponents' point of view, secure the development of Brambrüesch and thus also access to the Alpenbikepark in the long term by voting yes to the new railway. Another advantage of the new railway: transport times from Chur to Brambrüesch would be roughly halved, as there would be no need to change trains. 

According to municipal documents, if the loan is approved and there are no delays, the new railway could open in December 2028 at the earliest.

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