Whoosh Reveals Innovative Transportation Plan For Queenstown
Whoosh CEO Dr Chris Allington has presented proposed plans of a potential roll out of the Whoosh transportation system and the locations a Queenstown network could connect during Electrify Queenstown.
“One key thing for us is getting feedback from the Queenstown community on the proposed plans we’re unveiling. We want to hear what people think and local input is the best way for us to shape the network so it best suits everyone’s needs,” said Dr Allington.
“We’re so excited to be debuting this system in Queenstown. We’ve had amazing support for Whoosh from business leaders and the community. This iconic New Zealand town is leading the world in plans for electrification and transportation and it’s inspiring to be here.”
Since its public launch event last September, the New Zealand company developing Whoosh has been generating headlines across the world with their innovation in the sustainable transportation space. Whoosh has emerged as a leader in the “urban supergondola” transportation market, where self-driving cabins navigate an elevated cable network to complete personal trips. A little like an Uber in the sky, riders book a Whoosh from an app, get in, and glide non-stop to their destination. The elevated network allows Whoosh to transcend traffic and other obstacles, completing uninterrupted consistent trips for riders of the system.
In addition to being convenient and safe, Whoosh is also a fully electric driverless ride-hailing system - making it a perfect candidate to showcase at the 2025 Electrify Queenstown event.
Dr Allington said while the technology has been developed in New Zealand, there is huge demand already from overseas cities wanting a system of their own.
“It’s been very important to me and the whole team that this innovation debuts here at home in New Zealand. It’s extremely exciting for us to have been able to do that starting with a centrally located hub at Remarkables Park." said Dr. Chris Allington, Whoosh CEO
“This is New Zealand developed technology but there’s a growing queue from other parts of the world to get their own networks started. We have confirmed projects in the US that we can’t wait to get going on with our US-based delivery partners Swyft Cities, but it’s been very important to me and the whole team that this innovation debuts here at home in New Zealand. It’s extremely exciting for us to have been able to do that starting with a centrally located hub at Remarkables Park, which can connect increasingly congested locations to the south, east, north and west. This Frankton Connector can include the Airport and a future year-round traditional gondola to The Remarkables for winter and summer activities.”
While the broader plans for the full Queenstown network are still a proposal, the first section of the system at the Remarkables Park is confirmed and construction will be starting in 2025 jointly funded by Remarkables Park Limited and Whoosh.
Alastair Porter, Executive Chair and CEO of RPL, commented on the upcoming announcement. “We’ve been leading the charge to bring Whoosh to Remarkables Park since the very first moment we were introduced to this game changing technology. I’m delighted to be at Electrify Queenstown to amplify their message of building a sustainable future for Queenstown and formally announcing our commitment to the start of the Whoosh network. We are eager to be a part of demonstrating a world-first in transportation technology after construction begins later this year.”
Details of the planned phases for a Whoosh network will be debuted onsite at Electrify Queenstown with attendees able to interact with virtual reality scenes detailing the routes. Following the live event, details for the Queenstown network were made available with the public will be invited to submit feedback and suggestions during a 2-month comment period.
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