Serfaus is a busy ski resort, and during the season has to cater for large numbers of skiers. The slopes are accessed by a cable car and a gondola lift, whose lower stations are situated at one end of the village's main street. A large car park is located at the other end of this street, and the Dorfbahn connects the two, allowing the conversion of the village into a car-free zone. Besides the two terminal stations at Seilbahn (cable car) and Parkplatz (car park), there are two intermediate stations in the village centre.[1]
The line was built in 1985 by the Freissler-Otis company, and began operation on 14 December that year, with its official opening taking place on 16 January the following year. It consists of a single, 1,280 m (4,200 ft) one-track line, with a single train operating on a shuttle basis. The train comprises two cars, is suspended on an air cushion, and is moved by a funicular haulage system. The tunnel is 3.24 m (10.6 ft) wide and 3.52 m (11.5 ft) high. The train can carry 390 people, and travels at a speed of 40 km/h (25 mph).[2]
During the winter season the line operates between 07:45 and 18:45, and between 07:45 and 17:30 or 18:15 in the summer. A single journey takes 7 minutes, with the intermediate stations served only in the respective main load direction (in the morning toward Seilbahn, in the afternoon toward Parkplatz). The service is free of charge.[citation needed]
Extensive renovations were carried out from 2016 to 2019, and the new train, manufactured by Leitner Ropeways, began operating in July 2019, almost doubling its passenger capacity.[3]
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