Leading the modernisation and automation of the Leubringen Funicular - PROSE - Shaping tomorrow’s mobility

About the job

Leading the modernisation and automation of the Leubringen Funicular

Customer: Verkehrsbetriebe Biel, Switzerland

Project tasks

Overall project management

Client representation

Project organisation and governance

Stakeholder management

Authority coordination (Federal Office of Transport (FOT) and cantonal authorities)

Procurement and tender management

Schedule, cost and risk management

Coordination of civil works, infrastructure and ropeway engineering

Quality assurance and project reporting

Our approach

The Leubringen Funicular connects Biel with Evilard and is an important transport link for commuters, residents and visitors in Switzerland. As part of a comprehensive modernisation programme, the line was automated and upgraded to improve safety, reliability, accessibility and long-term operational performance.

The project included the renewal of the control and safety systems, platform screen doors, passenger monitoring, communication and camera systems, as well as the overhaul of the vehicles, drive system, brakes, haul rope and infrastructure. Accessibility improvements were implemented in accordance with the Swiss Disability Discrimination Act (BehiG). All all work was carried out in compliance with ropeway regulations and the requirements of the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT).

PROSE acted as the client’s representative and overall project manager, providing independent leadership throughout the project lifecycle. We established a structured project organisation based on HERMES (Swiss Federal Administration’s standard project management methodology) and SIA (Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects) principles, coordinated multidisciplinary workstreams and managed the interfaces between authorities, suppliers, designers and operators.

Our responsibilities included procurement and contract management, approval support, project communication, quality assurance, and the management of cost, schedule and risk from project initiation through to commissioning.

Customer benefit

By acting as the client’s representative and overall project manager, PROSE provided a single point of coordination across all technical disciplines and stakeholders. Our structured approach reduced project complexity, supported regulatory compliance and enabled informed decision-making throughout the project.

The completed modernisation provides the foundation for higher transport capacity, improved operational reliability, enhanced passenger safety and accessibility while creating the foundation for a longer service life of the Leubringen Funicular. As an independent engineering and consulting partner, PROSE delivered objective technical expertise while safeguarding the client’s interests throughout the project.