The city of Medellín stretches from a narrow valley to vast areas on hilly slopes. These hills are home to under-developed neighbourhoods which traditionally could not be reached by public transportation. These areas are characterized by the poverty of their inhabitants, unemployment, physical and social marginalization, limited access to public services and often have high rates of crime and violence rates.

Equal access to mobility is one of the most important objectives in Medellín's urban development planning together with improving the city’s ecosystem and connecting leisure and sports facilities with the new green belt.

The Medellin government commenced implementing the integrated urban projects (PUI) in 2003. The government actively involves the affected population in planning and implementation of all projects. Inter-institutional cooperation promotes the planning and development of comprehensive concepts, meanwhile known as “Social Urbanism”.

The first metrocable Line K (2.07km) commenced operating in 2004. It has 4 stations with an estimated 3,000 pphpd (passengers per hour per direction)

In 2008 Line J (2.7km) was opened with four stations.

In 2011, the metro system was complemented by Metroplus, (Bus-Rapid-Transit). Its large, energy-saving buses use separate bus lanes, similar to a metro or tram and connects with stations used by the metrocable.

Line L (4.8km) does not serve communal areas, it is a tourist line only. Passengers must pay an extra fare to ride this line.

Line H (1.4km) opened in 2016 and has three stations. The demand is estimated at 1,800 pphpd.

Line M (1.0km) faced a number of delays related to complicated geological/structural issues and opened in late 2018. From its bottom station to its top station passengers experience a vertical rise of 275metres.

Line P (2.8km) will open in late 2019. Line P will feature upgrades from the previous aerial lifts. The maximum speeds on the 2line have been upped by 1 m/s (3.6km/h) to 5.5 m/s (19.8km/h) and the system capacity has increased by 1,000 pphpd to 4,000 pphpd, spread over 138 cabins. With a travel time of 11 minutes, the system is expected to decrease commute times by 75% and benefit 420,000 residents who live in some of the most disconnected and disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The system will have four stations spread out in the community to maximize coverage and benefits to residents.

The lead agency for the project is the city government of Medellin. Line P budget is $ 99,000,000USD

With six CPT lines in operation by the end of 2019, Medellin will have built 14.7km of cable cars spread over 20 stations — making it the world’s second largest CPT network.

The combined ridership of Line K, Line J, Line L and Line H in 2018 have totalled 241 million passengers while Line K and Line J operate with an availability of 99.09 – 99.90%!

Integration to Medellín’s public transport system through the cable car increases comfort and reduces expenditures on time and costs. Particularly low-income customers save money because they pay per ride, independently from the distance travelled.

The Civic Card, a rechargeable swipe card, reduces waiting time as commuters can pay for their rides in advance.

Introducing the Metrocable and connecting marginalized areas to the city was the starting point for a physical and social transformation of Medellín and its communities. A process of mutual respect was established, contributing to a greater sense of belonging. The formerly excluded population of the informal neighbourhoods are now more integrated in the city’s social, economic and political life. This means they can also participate in the decision-making of future urban development projects. Meanwhile, the newly connected neighborhoods have undergone a sense of urban renewal noticeably: Local businesses have settled, and crime rates have decreased.

The experience in Medellín inspired Caracas (Venezuela's capital city) to build their own Metrocable.  More information about the experience in Caracas is available here:  https://use.metropolis.org/case-studies/the-caracas-metrocable

- Medellín’s Metrocable – Mobility as Fundamental Factor of Integrated and Inclusive Urban Development, http://www.connective-cities.net/en/connect/good-practices/medellins-metrocable/ (accessed 25 February 2016).