The Wellington Cable Car is a funicular railway in Wellington, New Zealand, between Lambton Quay, the main shopping street, and Kelburn, a suburb in the hills overlooking the central city, rising over a length of . The one way trip takes approximately five minutes. The Wellington Cable Car is widely recognised as a symbol of Wellington. Track and stations The line consists of of mostly straight single track with pine sleepers. The only curves are at the passing loop in the middle, at Talavera station. Except for the lowest part the line rises at a constant grade of 1 in 5.06 (17.86% or 10.13 degrees), through three tunnels and over three bridges. The lower terminus is in Cable Car Lane, off Lambton Quay (). The upper terminus is next to the Wellington Botanic Garden at the city end of Upland Road, Kelburn's main street (). Cars and propulsion The Cable Car has two cars, which start from opposite ends of the line and pass in the middle. They are attached to each other by a 30 mm diameter cable, supported by 120 rollers, which runs round a pulley at the top of the hill. A 185 kW 550 V DC motor at the top of the hill drives the pulley. The Cable Car is a funicular rather than a true cable car: the cars are permanently attached to the cable, which stops and starts as required, while a cable car grips and releases a continuously-moving cable. Wheels on the south side of car 1 and the north side of car 2 have double flanges, while the opposite wheels on each car have no flanges, directing the cars to the correct side of the mid-way passing loop at Talavera. The cars are designed to fit the grade, using internal steps to provide horizontal floors. The normal operating speed is (), with a maximum passenger load of around 100 (30 seated, 70 standing). Each car weighs approximately when empty and when full. Passengers The Cable Car is used by slightly under a million people each year. In the mornings and evenings, it is used by commuters travelling between Kelburn and the city; at other times of the day, it is used by people travelling between the city and the Wellington Botanic Garden, by students attending Victoria University and living in nearby student hostels, and by many tourists, especially during summer. Ownership The