View source for Kyiv Funicular

{{Infobox rail line
 | box_width   =
 | name        = Kyiv Funicular
| native_name = Київський фунікулер
| native_name_lang = uk
 | color       =
 | logo        = Kyiv Funicular logo.svg
 | logo_width  = 100
 | image       = 2948279 Киевский фуникулер.jpg 
 | image_width = 
 | caption     = Looking from the top station, two Kyiv funicular wagons approach each other, where they will finally pass each other on the system's two track sidings
 | type        = [[Funicular]]
 | system      =
 | status      =
 | locale      = [[Kyiv]], [[Ukraine]]
 | start       = [[Poshtova Square|Poshtova]] {{small|(lower station)}}
 | end         = [[Mykhailivska Square|Mykhailivska]] {{small|(upper station)}}
 | stations    = 2
 | routes      =
 | daily_ridership   =
 | open        = 1905
 | close       =
 | owner       = 
 | operator    = [[Kyivpastrans]]
 | character   =
 | depot       =
 | stock       =
 | linelength  = {{convert|238|m}}
 | tracklength = 
 | tracks     =
 | gauge       = {{RailGauge|1200mm}}
 | minradius   =
 | electrification          = 100 kW
 | maxincline  = 36%
 | racksystem  = 
 | speed       =
 | elevation   = 
 | map         = 
 | map_state   = 
 | coordinates = {{coord|50|27|28|N|30|31|25|E|type:landmark_region:UA|display=inline,title}}
}}
{{Routemap
| collapsible = no
| legend      = track
| float       = right
| map         = 
CONTg
SPLa
c\dSTRg\dSTRf\c
c\dSTRg\dSTRf\c
SPLe
CONTf
}}
[[File:Фунікулер (1939).jpg|thumb|225px|The '''''Л''''' or left funicular wagon as seen in pre-WWII Kyiv, ca. 1939.]]

The '''Kyiv Funicular''' ({{langx|uk|Київський фунікулер}} {{IPA|uk|ˈkɪjiu̯sʲkɪj fʊn⁽ʲ⁾ikʊˈlɛr|}}) is a steep slope railroad on [[Kyiv Hills]] that serves the city of [[Kyiv]], connecting the historic ''[[Old Kyiv|Uppertown]]'', and the lower commercial neighborhood of [[Podil]] through the steep [[Volodymyrska Hill]] overseeing the [[Dnieper River]]. The line consists of only two stations and is operated by the Kyiv city community enterprise [[Kyivpastrans]].

==History==
The funicular was constructed during 1902–1905, and was first opened to the public on {{OldStyleDate|20 May|1905|7 May}}. The construction cost, about 230,000 [[Ruble#Imperial_ruble_(14th_century_–_1917)|rubles]], was covered by a [[Belgium|Belgian]] owner of the [[Trams in Kyiv|Kyiv trams]]. The funicular was the project of Arthur Abrahamson, who received professional training on railroad engineering in [[Zürich]], [[Switzerland]] and [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]]. The station vestibules were initially developed by N. Pyatnitskiy, and the railway structure was designed by N. Baryshnikov.

Due to its proximity to the [[St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery|St. Michael's Cathedral]], it was once named the ''Mykhailivskyi Mekhanichnyi Pidyom'' ({{langx|uk|Михайлівський механічний підйом}}, literally ''St. Michael's Mechanical Lift''). After the cathedral was destroyed by the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] authorities in 1935–1936, the name of the funicular was changed.

In 1984 the lower station changed its outlook. It was redeveloped by architects Janos Vig, Valentine Yezhov, and others.

==Various facts==
The funicular uses the two rail and passing-loop system. The two cars are designated with the [[Cyrillic]] letters '''''Λ''''' ({{langx|uk|Лівий|lit=left}}) and '''''П''''' ({{langx|uk|Правий|lit=right}}) which stand for left and right cars. The funicular was renovated three times: in 1928, 1958, and 1984.

[[Track gauge]]: {{RailGauge|1200mm}}. Total track length: {{convert|238|m|ft|0|sp=us}}. The total gradient of the slope on which the funicular runs on is 36%. The cable cars are powered by an [[electric motor]] which is located inside the upper station and in tram type.

The travel time between the stations is approximately 3 minutes. The route is from the '''[[Mykhailivska Square]]''' in the Uptown to the '''[[Poshtova Square]]''' in the [[Podil]]. The ticket price is much like for the other city-owned public transportation methods, ₴8 (approx. US$0.3 as of July 2018). The funicular provides daily service to 10,000-15,000 passengers, and annually to 2.8 million passengers.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://wek.kiev.ua/wiki/index.php/%D0%A4%D1%83%D0%BD%D1%96%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%80|title=Funicular|accessdate=February 26, 2006|encyclopedia=Wiki-Encyclopedia Kyiv|language=Ukrainian|archive-date=November 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101082849/http://wek.kiev.ua/wiki/index.php/%D0%A4%D1%83%D0%BD%D1%96%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%80|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Originally funicular built as trams were unable to ride the grade. Later funicular fare was included in tram monthly tickets if tram is alone transport in it.

The funicular was closed on September 25, 2006, for restoration, which is usually conducted every year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pk.kiev.ua/city/2006/09/22/184415.html |title=Kiev's funicular will be closed for reconstruction |accessdate=September 22, 2006 |work=Gazeta po-Kievsky |language=Russian |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531135019/http://www.pk.kiev.ua/city/2006/09/22/184415.html |archivedate=May 31, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The total cost of the restoration was expected to be ₴455,400 (about US$90,500). The funicular is operated by Kyivpastrans.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Київський фунікулер 1.jpg|Lower station
File:Верхняя станция киевского фуникулёра.jpg|Upper station
File:Фунікулер 1.JPG|Upper station with night illumination
File:Киевский фуникулёр.JPG|Lower station
File:Фунікулер 3.JPG|Lower station with night illumination
File:Київський фунікулер 2.jpg|Carriage
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Odesa Funicular]]
* [[List of funicular railways]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.interesniy.kiev.ua/zhizn-v-kieve/kievskiy-transport/funikuler/ |title=Kiev's Funicular |accessdate=September 17, 2006 |work=Interesting Kiev |language=Russian |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521090451/http://www.interesniy.kiev.ua/zhizn-v-kieve/kievskiy-transport/funikuler |archivedate=May 21, 2011 }}

==External links==
{{commons category|Kyiv funicular|Kyiv Funicular}}
* [http://wek.kiev.ua/uk/%D0%A4%D1%83%D0%BD%D1%96%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%80|Київський фунікулер] in [http://wek.kiev.ua/ ''Wiki-Encyclopedia Kyiv''] {{in lang|uk}}
* [http://ukrainian.su/en/photogallery/category/2 Photos of Kyiv Funicular] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215141/http://ukrainian.su/en/photogallery/category/2 |date=2016-03-03 }} {{in lang|en}}

{{Urban public transport networks and systems in Ukraine}}
{{Transport in Kyiv}}

[[Category:Funicular railways in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Kyiv]]
[[Category:Metre-gauge railways in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1905]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kyiv]]
[[Category:1905 establishments in the Russian Empire]]