I feel like that’s the Achilles’ heel of using an aerial gondola.
Otherwise, I like the idea, too. 2.5mi in 13min (11mph) -the speed of the Staten Island gondola project in @JoeZ’s post- is a bit slower than the average BRT (17-30mph on average) and carries much less people than light rail, though, so I’m having a hard time thinking it’s a viable alternative for light rail (which is better in denser, high-capacity corridors).
It sounds like a better competitor to buses where there’s more congestion along a centralized-ish route, but less real estate. Like North Hills-Crabtree-NC Museum of Art-PNC Arena/State Fairgrounds, for example?