Maçka Gondola

{{Short description|Istanbul aerial tramway line}}

{{Infobox aerial lift line

| line_name = Maçka-Taşkışla Gondola

| line_color = #FFFFFF

| native_name = Maçka-Taşkışla Teleferik
30px

| image = Maçka Gondola 03.JPG

| image_size =

| caption = Maçka Gondola with Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus in background seen from Maçka Terminal.

| pushpin_map = Turkey Istanbul

| coordinates = {{coord|41|02|41|N|28|59|38|E|display=inline}}

| status = Operational

| character = Urban

| system = Public transport in Istanbul

| line_no = TF1

| location = Maçka, Şişli, Istanbul

| country = Turkey

| start = Maçka (northeast)

| end = Taşkışla (southwest)

| no_stations = 2

| built_by = Baytur Inc.

| constr_cost =

| begin =

| open = {{start date and age|1993|04|11}}

| last_ext =

| close =

| reopen =

| website = [http://www.istanbululasim.com.tr/raylı-sistemler/maçka-–-taşkışla-teleferik.aspx www.maçka-taskışla-teleferik]

| owner = Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

| operator = Istanbul Ulaşım AŞ

| no_carriers = 4

| carrier_cap =

| ridership = 1,000 daily

| operating_times = 07:30–21:00 (weekdays),
08:00–19:00 (sundays)

| trips_daily = 90

| headway = 5 minutes during peak hours

| trip_duration = 3.5 min.

| fare = {{Turkish lira}}1.95 (by Istanbulkart)

| lift_type = BGFP

| manufactured_by = Poma, France

| line_length = {{convert|333.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| no_towers =

| no_cables =

| cable_diameter =

| inst_power =

| speed = {{convert|4|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}

| notes =

}}

The Maçka Gondola, aka Maçka – Taşkışla Aerial Cable Car, ({{langx|tr|TF1 Maçka – Taşkışla teleferik hattı}}) is a two-station gondola-type line of aerial lift passenger transport system situated in Şişli district of Istanbul, Turkey. Opened on April 11, 1993, the {{convert|333.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} long line connects Maçka neighborhood with Taşkışla quarter close to Taksim Square. It is operated under the line number Tf1 by Istanbul Transport Company, a subsidiary of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.{{cite web |url=http://www.istanbululasim.com.tr/raylı-sistemler/maçka-–-taşkışla-teleferik.aspx |publisher=İstanbul Ulaşım |title=Maçka Taşkışla Teleferik |language=Turkish |accessdate=2013-11-02}} The fare is paid by the contactless smart card of Istanbulkart, which is valid at all public transport in Istanbul.{{cite web |url=http://www.istanbul.net.tr/istanbul-Ulasim/istanbul-Rayli-Sistemleri/macka-taskisla-teleferik-hatti/17 |publisher=Istanbul |title=Maçka – Taşkışla Teleferik Hattı |language=Turkish |accessdate=2013-11-02}}

The gondola line was constructed to provide easy access between Maçka and Taşkışla, two localities in the center of the city separated from each other by a {{convert|42|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep green valley. They are normally connected by a long horseshoe-shaped path around the valley, which contains the Maçka Democracy Park and the Beyoğlu Marriage Office.{{cite web |url=http://www.ibb.gov.tr/tr-TR/SubSites/raylisistemler/Pages/macka-taskisla.aspx |publisher=İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi |title=Maçka – Taşkışla Teleferik |language=Turkish |accessdate=2013-11-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105195727/http://www.ibb.gov.tr/tr-TR/SubSites/raylisistemler/Pages/macka-taskisla.aspx |archivedate=2013-11-05}} While the Maçka Station is a gateway to the upscale neighborhoods Teşvikiye and Nişantaşı, the Taşkışla Station is in walking distance to Taksim Square. There exist campuses of the Istanbul Technical University on both sides of the valley{{cite web |url=http://www.itu.edu.tr/?kampusler/macka-kampusu |publisher=Istanbul Teknik Üniversitesi |title=Maçka Kampüsü |language=Turkish |accessdate=2013-11-05}} as well as a number of five-star hotels like ParkSA Hilton Hotel, Swissôtel Istanbul The Bosphorus Hotel at the Maçka side and Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus, Hyatt Regency, Divan Istanbul at the Taşkışla side. The Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre is situated close to the Taşkışla Station.