Trams in Bogotá were first inaugurated on December 24, 1884 with the first tramway pulled by mules, covering the route from Plaza de Bolívar to San Diego, in Bogotá, Colombia. In 1892, a tramline linking Plaza de Bolívar and Estación de la Sabana started operating. The original trams ran over wooden rails but since such tramways easily derailed, steel rails imported from England were later installed. In 1894, a tramcar ran on the Estación de la Sabana to Chapinero line every twenty minutes. In 1910, the system was electrified. The electric system was expanded and operated four lines. The riots of April 1948, known as Bogotazo, caused the destruction of several tram vehicles. Bogotá's tramway provided services up to 1951 when all trams were replaced by trolleybuses on June 30, 1951.
Aerial tramway
The aerial tramway or cable car to Monserrate mountain began its construction on August 13, 1953 and was inaugurated on September 27, 1955; in a bicable modality with two cabins that transport 40 passengers each. It was built in 1955, and has two cabins each for 40 passengers. The journey is traveled in 7 minutes, traveling over the downtown of the city. At the terminus on Monserrate mountain, there is a church, a restaurant and other smaller tourist attractions.
The Funicular to Monserrate is a tramway used for going from the city level to the top of the Hill of Monserrate. The gauge funicular transports daily the inhabitants of the capital and tourists; it was finished in 1928 and inaugurated officially on August 18, 1929. Since that time, this small train has slowly ascended towards the peak of Monserrate, gradually allowing its passengers the contemplation of nature and landscape that is being left behind as they reach the above sea level, where its upper station lies. In December 2003, the funicular initiated a new phase with a more modern design in its cars, that now open their doors to the sky with a crystal ceiling, so that nobody can lose a single detail of the forests that surround the city, the beautiful panoramic view and beautiful sunsets. In its trip of only 4 minutes, the cable car rises with its big windows on its sides, offering a great view of the hill that makes contrast with the beautiful panoramic of the city. The dense vegetation of the high trees tops leave us a sensation of direct bondingbetween earth and sky.
